(Food-Beverage-News.Com, March 11, 2015 ) Oakland, CA -- It is not unusual for special occasions like St. Patrick's Day to evoke concern among dieters. With all the delectable dishes around, it can be challenging to resist the temptation to indulge. To stay within one's diet and health requirements, contemporary kitchenware maker Finesseur says all it takes is some creativity to whip up Irish-inspired dishes that are not only healthy but delicious as well.
"St. Patrick's Day is the perfect time to be innovative in the kitchen. This is the time when you can experiment on recipes that not only meet your diet and health goals, but are also delightful to the palate. Preparing the meals for such an occasion not only benefits dieters, but your guests as well, as they will appreciate the effort put into ensuring their health and nutrition as you whip up your St. Patrick's Day feast," says Allison Montgomery, spokesperson for Finesseur.
In cooking up a healthy Irish meal, the key, shares Montgomery, is to incorporate healthy substitutes. "You can replace traditional ingredients with nutritious alternatives to ensure that your dishes are guilt-free. You will also be surprised to discover that such healthy substitutes can also enhance the quality and flavor of an otherwise traditional Irish menu," she adds.
Below, Finesseur shares tips on how to lighten up traditional St. Patrick's Day dishes with the help of healthy ingredients:
1. Traditional favorites like corned beef and lamb (which are fat-laden) can be replaced with fish like smoked salmon, which is also a traditional Irish delicacy.
2. For a healthier version of the Irish Soda bread, use whole wheat or oats as the main ingredient.
3. Mashed potatoes and other potato dishes are a crowd favorite in any St. Patrick's Day celebration. While they are a delicious source of many nutrients, potatoes are also too rich in simple carbohydrates, which is a no-no for any weight watcher. Substitute potatoes with parsnips for a healthier soup version, or use cauliflower puree instead of mashed potatoes in shepherd's pie.
4. If serving a hearty potato soup, make it healthier by using fat-free evaporated milk instead of heavy cream. If serving mashed potatoes as a side dish or shepherd's pie topping, make a creamy yet healthy version by using low-fat milk.
5. Make the traditional shepherd's pie healthier by using lean ground beef.
6. Instead of going for the traditional recipe for Colcannon, which is a combination of mashed potatoes, cabbage or kale, do a healthy version of this popular Irish dish by using pureed cauliflower, cabbage, green onions and parmesan cheese.
More health-boosting tips for St. Patrick's Day
When preparing their own Irish-inspired dishes, Montgomery suggests having a measuring device like a food scale to ensure accurate food measurements. Such a tool is very helpful when one wants to keep food portions in check. It ensures proper portion control by providing precision when measuring food, which is very important for those with strict diet requirements. It is also useful when baking, as the accuracy it provides ensures that one stays true to the taste and texture of any baking recipe.
For those who are not in charge of the kitchen for St. Patrick's Day, they can still keep it healthy when surrounded with not-so-healthy Irish dishes. If corned beef is served, cutting back on fat and salt can be done by eating only in moderation (maximum of one serving only). One can always make up for the limited portion of corned beef by putting more cabbage and vegetables on the plate. Drinking alcohol should also be done in moderation (at most one drink for females or two for males).
With these tips, Montgomery says weight watchers and those who want to stay in control of their health can enjoy a delightful St. Patrick's Day feast without the guilt. "Your health and diet plans need not go on a holiday just because you're celebrating a special holiday. You can still take control of your health and watch your weight through dishes you can enjoy the healthy way," concludes Montgomery.
About Finesseur
Finesseur brings fashion design, precise engineering, and top quality craftsmanship together in American kitchens. Finesseur believes kitchen tools should be not only functional, but also inspirational.
