[dropcap1]T[/dropcap1]he festive season might be all about delicious, sinful foods, but that doesn’t mean you should forget about eating healthy. Luckily, there are some nutritious and yummy superfoods to enjoy this season to keep you at the top of your game.
1. Cherries
In Australia, cherries are a sign that summer’s arrived so invite them to your festive season table. Cherries contain great amounts of antioxidants called anthocyanidins. These slow down signs of ageing and reduce weight gain (great if you’ve been eating lots!). Bake a delicious cherry cheesecake your guests will love. It makes use of chocolate biscuits, cream cheese, cocoa powder and cherries for a deliciously sweet treat that will revamp your festive desserts this year.
2. Prawns
Seafood is becoming big on Aussie Christmas tables, often replacing traditional meat dishes. Prawns are a great choice because they’re tasty and nutritious. But shop for wild prawns since they consume algae which has a large amount of antioxidants such as Vitamin E. This nutrient protects the delicate tissues in the brain and boosts your skin’s ability to protect itself against the sun’s harmful rays.
A great idea is to use prawns as a starter. All you need to do is place half a lemon in a pot of boiling water, add in a bit of salt and, finally, your prawns. After three minutes of cooking, they’re ready to get peeled and then you can devein them. A cocktail sauce that includes lemon juice and chilli sauce is what takes the prawns to a whole new level. This snack is sure to open up your guests’ appetites!
3. Lilly Pilly
One of the most popular plants in the country, lilly pilly boasts small pinkish-red berries that are filled with vitamins and antioxidants to boost your immune system – perfect for over the festive season when you’re stressed and tired. Use them in a salad for a nice sweet treat or make a lilly pilly jelly. All you need are lilly pilly berries, sugar, lemon and water. It’s a refreshing alternative to using cranberry jelly over the holidays.
4. Rocket
This salad leaf has a nice, slightly bitter taste that is becoming very popular in the kitchen. Rocket is definitely a good superfood to add to your Christmas menu because it is filled with iron and Vitamin C. Make a delicious rocket salad that contains parmesan cheese and pomegranate seeds. The bonus is that the fruity seeds give the salad a nice festive color.
5. Quinoa
Quinoa, which is a great alternative to pasta, is high in fibre, essential fats, and protein. It’s also low GI, which means it will keep your energy levels up. Make a delicious quinoa, broccoli and cheese casserole that will be enjoyed by both your vegetarian and non-vegetarian guests this festive season. It’s filled with delicious and healthy veggies that, when combined with the quinoa, becomes a superfood sensation to be remembered long after Christmas has drawn to a close.
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