Christmas basket

Christmas is approaching and our pantry seems to resurface between the routine of the cold months. It is time to give color to our kitchen trying not to fall into the temptation of choosing foods that are too heavy and caloric. We propose you tasty, nutritious and healthy foods for these holidays.

• It is essential to look for fresh and quality products to present varied, appetizing, healthy and not excessively loaded tables.
• Lean protein foods like turkey or prawns can be the "highlight" of Christmas meals.
• Vegetables are not at odds with Christmas. Fruits such as papaya or pineapple, and vegetables such as radishes, celery ... are ideal to include as a counterpoint in large meals.

PRAWNS

Seafood is a regular part of the tables on these dates. As starters or between the main dishes, it is common for seafood to be strained, and a frequent guest is the prawn. Despite its cholesterol content, it is not an excessively fatty food and it can be cooked perfectly on the grill. If they are quality specimens, they will constitute an exquisite delicacy. They can also be presented cold in light dishes such as salads or cocktails. In addition, they provide high-quality protein and minerals such as magnesium and zinc.

TURKEY

The turkey in many houses is the highlight of the holidays. Turkey meat is rich in protein and is less fat and lower in cholesterol than other white meats such as chicken or rabbit. It is a tasty product that can be sautéed, grilled or grilled, etc. But possibly its best version is found when we cook it as is tradition, in the oven. It can be chopped and baked with aromatic herbs or go for the elaborate stuffed turkey.

PAPAYA

Papaya is an exotic fruit with orange colors that provides us with many interesting substances. In addition to water, its main component, papaya contains carbohydrates, and is rich in potassium, vitamin C and provitamin A.

In addition to this, it has an enzyme called papain that contributes to the digestion of proteins. For this reason, the intake of papaya as part of Christmas meals, generally too loaded with protein foods, does our body a favor, facilitating digestion.

DATES

A sweet but interesting option is to have dried fruits at Christmas banquets. Dates are fruits that are naturally dried on the palm tree that creates them. They are sweet fruits and, if they are large and of quality, they are also juicy. They are very rich in fiber and contain minerals such as potassium and iron and vitamins such as B3 and provitamin A. They can be eaten both as desserts and as part of dishes, starters and main dishes. Its flavor and texture add a sweet and exotic touch to dishes.

RABANITOS

When looking for low-calorie vegetable foods to contrast with the elaborate and energetic Christmas meals, we find interesting foods with a special touch, such as radishes. Its spicy and even bitter taste gives them the possibility of standing out as part of a salad, a starter or an accompaniment. Radishes mainly provide water, fiber, potassium, iodine, vitamin C and folates. They can be served in multiple dishes and presentations, sliced, cut in the shape of a flower, etc.

ALMOND NOUGAT

Nuts are part of Christmas, but if we must look for the most representative among them, this is undoubtedly the almond. A staple food for the main nougats, and other festive desserts, almonds are less energetic than walnuts, pine nuts and hazelnuts. Their nutritional composition is interesting because they provide beneficial monounsaturated fatty acids at the cardiovascular level, are a good source of vitamin E and contain fiber and minerals such as zinc and phosphorus.