Although you may not be celebrating the holiday with family and friends this year due to the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order from Governor Whitmer, you can still shift your focus away from the chaos to appreciate extra time with your loved ones who are at home with you (or set up a Zoom meeting for Easter dinner). With nothing else to do but stay home, you will have plenty of time to whip up some healthier side dishes to complement what might be a slightly smaller Easter ham.
We put together a list of a few of our favorite healthy Easter dinner sides.
Cauliflower “mashed potatoes.”
If you’re looking for a low-carb way to enjoy the taste of traditional mashed potatoes, mashed cauliflower is a great option. It’s creamy, healthy and delicious with a very similar taste to potatoes. If you want the thicker potato texture, you can also make this recipe with half potato and half cauliflower.
Warm asparagus, radish and new potato salad.
If you aren’t convinced that cauliflower will curb your potato fix, dress up a simple potato salad with two spring vegetable favorites in this warm asparagus, radish and potato salad. Asparagus and radishes are packed with vitamins, antioxidants and fiber to provide additional nutrients to your Easter buffet. New potatoes are baby spring potatoes with thin skins that contain vitamin C, which can help us fight stress, infections and allergies.
Glazed carrots.
Getting kids to eat their vegetables can be a challenge, but these honey glazed young carrots are sure to please the whole family with a naturally sweet and earthy flavor. You can even add a variety of carrot colors to make the dish more visually appealing and celebrate the arrival of spring colors.
Deviled eggs.
This classic Easter appetizer is packed with protein, vitamins and antioxidants. For an even healthier twist, substitute half the full-fat mayo with nonfat Greek yogurt. These are just as creamy as traditional deviled eggs, but have fewer calories, more protein and gut-healthy probiotics from the yogurt.
Don’t forget your greens.
Swiss chard, spinach, kale, bok choy, collards, escarole – these spring greens offer great taste and nutritional value. Sneak some of these greens into your Easter dinner through different salad variations, such as this wilted greens with ricotta salata or escarole with pancetta salad.
Strawberry Rhubarb salad.
Looking for something a little sweeter? Rhubarb may be a vegetable, but it functions as a fruit with a tart flavor that pairs nicely with sweet berries. Cut down on extra sugar and calories with this sweet salad for a fresher take on the traditional strawberry rhubarb pie.
So while you’re planning for your different take on an Easter feast this week, try incorporating a couple of these healthier recipes into your family dinner. With new fruits and vegetables springing up during this time, be sure to take advantage of the fresh flavors and nutrient-packed foods.
