Easter Dinner Healthy Menu Ideas

The Main Course

Honey-glazed ham is a standard at the Easter table, but this cured, sweet dish can tip the scale of both sodium and sugar. Try roasting a fresh, non-cured ham to lower the sodium count and use a savory herb rub instead of honey. Herbs that go well with ham include fresh garlic, sage, thyme, savory and fennel.

For a change of pace in the meat, nothing says spring more than a roast rack of lamb. This lean, red meat has nearly the same nutritional profile of chicken, carrying only about 70 mg of cholesterol per 3-oz serving and approximately 176 calories.

If pork or red meat doesn’t do it for your family, consider grilling fresh salmon for a beautiful centerpiece to the meal. Loaded with health Omega-3 fatty acids, this fish is low in both saturated fat and calories with 0.6 g of saturated fat in a 3-oz. serving and 127 calories. Healthy cooking methods of salmon include grilling or baking, both of which take just minutes. Serve the fish with a light cream sauce or sprinkle with complementary seasonings such as fresh lemon and dill or tarragon. These are a few good options for your Easter dinner healthy menu.

Side Dishes

While the main dish often gets the oohs and aahs, it’s the side dishes that people really tend to build their sentimentality around. Create these alternatives to fat- and carb-laden dishes of old. Instead of heavy mashed potatoes, try pureeing a blend of steamed cauliflower and yams or try roasting a blend of fresh vegetables such as bell peppers, new potatoes, carrots, celery and pearl onions. Roasted vegetables embody a wonderful sweetness on their own and fare further enhanced with a sprinkling of fresh herbs such as chives, marjoram and savory. To add grains to the meal, create a wild rice pilaf or saffron jasmine rice alongside the main course.

Take advantage of the current crop of spring vegetables when designing your menu. Spring is typically the season for sweet, crisp asparagus, a vegetable that makes a beautiful presentation at the table when lightly steamed and highlighted with a crumbling of toasted nuts or a light, creamy sauce. For an alternative, serve fresh shelled peas with sprigs of minced mint for a crisp, clean complementary dish to either fish or lamb.

Finishing Touch

Finish your Easter dinner healthy menu with seasonal fruit and a small dollop of freshly whipped cream or yogurt. Nothing looks more beautiful than a small dish filled with bright strawberries and blueberries or a dessert plate elegantly displaying slices of fresh mango, kiwi or papaya. These finishes will offer plenty of sweetness, but if your family prefers something a bit more, try baking a low calorie carrot, coffee or spice cake or combining fresh fruit in a tart. Sorbets also make a healthful alternative to ice cream, which may placate the younger ones at the table.

Resources

Menu ideas from author’s personal experience