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When it comes to hosting a dinner party, there are a couple recipes that never fail to find their way on my buffet. My goal is always to have a combination of healthy options (for myself and those who are interested in having a clean diet) and other appetizers that are slightly less healthy, simply because I am not trying to impose healthy eating on everyone. There is a tacit rule that I always follow when I make my menus: there should always be raw vegetables for vitamin, fiber and mineral intake; and charcuterie and/or meat, as a source of protein.
I know what you are going to say about charcuterie, it’s unhealthy, but this isn’t always true and I am actually a huge fan of chicken and turkey sliced deli meats, that I incorporate on a regular basis in my breakfasts for increased protein intake. The key to staying healthy when choosing your charcuterie, is to make sure the packaging indicates less sodium, made with natural ingredients and that it contains a good amount of protein.
I have just discovered the new line of premium sliced deli meats from the brand Maple Lodge Farms, called “Natural From The Farm” and I must say, I absolutely love them: they come in four flavors (Garlic and Pepper Chicken, Spicy BBQ Chicken, Oven Roasted Chicken and Oven Roasted Turkey). All products are made with natural ingredients, contain 25% less sodium than other items on the market in the same category, there is no sugar added in the Oven Roasted flavors, all products are gluten-free and are protein-packed (21%). One of the reasons why I wanted to create recipes for the holidays with the Natural From The Farm products besides the fact that they taste divine, is the small and round format of the meat slices which makes it ideal to get creative.
I have created four recipes that I think you and your guests will love, and that you could include in your menu if you are hosting during the holidays. As a matter of fact, these recipes also make for delicious, healthy and filling snacks for everyday life as well.
Before being certain about whether or not to include a recipe in my menu when I am hosting, I always try it beforehand, taste it, have my husband taste it and see what he thinks. By the look on his face when he came back from work and tried the following recipes, I can say for sure they will make it to my Christmas buffet this year.
I am not the biggest fan of cooking meat when I make a buffet filled with bite-size food because everything gets cold quickly and the texture of the food changes if you re-heat it. That’s why sliced deli meats are always a great option for me.
Maple Lodge Farms is offering you guys an amazing coupon to make you discover their new line of yummy premium sliced deli meats, Natural From The Farm. Sign up for the coupon HERE.
Without further due, let’s get to the recipes!
- Skewers
A staple in all my buffet menus, these skewers are really quick and easy to make, easy to eat, and they’re always gone in no time.
Ingredients for 10 skewers:
– 1 Box of mini Bocconcini
– Pitted green olives
– Cherry tomatoes
– 1 package of Maple Lodge Farms’ “Natural From The Farm” Oven Roasted Chicken Breasts. You can find this product at the following grocery stores: Métro, IGA, Walmart and Super C.
– 10 skewers
Instruction:
For each skewer, alternate one cherry tomato, one bocconcini, one slice of chicken rolled or folded, and an olive. It is just as simple as that!
2 Oven Roasted Turkey & Asparagus Rolls
Ingredients for 10 rolls:
– 1 package of pepper cream cheese
– 1 package of Maple Lodge Farms’ “Natural From The Farm” Oven Roasted Turkey Breast. You can find this product at the following grocery stores: Métro, IGA, Walmart and Super C.
– A dozen asparagus
Instructions:
Stem the asparagus and cook them for 3 minutes in boiling water.
Place the slices of turkey on a cutting board.
Generously spread the cheese directly on the turkey.
Place an asparagus in the center of the turkey slice and roll the turkey slice. It’s ready!
3 Spicy BBQ Chicken Pastry Puffs
This is a healthy-ish recipe but it’s just so, so incredibly good I couldn’t resist to make it.
Ingredients:
– 1 roll of puff pastry
– 1 package of Maple Lodge Farms’ “Natural From The Farm” Spicy BBQ chicken. You can find this product at the following grocery stores: Métro, IGA, Walmart and Super C.
– Cheese of your choice, I went with Cheddar.
– 1 egg yolk
– 1 tbsp semi strong mustard
Instructions:
Unroll the pastry puff.
In the centre of the puff, spread mustard about the width of a chicken slice.
Spread mustard on the whole length of the puff.
Align three slices of chicken on top of the mustard, cover the chicken up with cheese. Add three other slices of chicken and another coat of cheese and add a final layer of chicken.
On each side of the puff that is not covered with the mixture, trace with a knife 1/2 inch layers that go from the mixture to the extremity of the puff.
(If the mixture is vertical in front of you, you would cut horizontal layers, if the mixture is horizontal in front of you, you would cut vertical layers)
Fold down each layer on the mixture and give it a little angle, to obtain the cross effect. Make sure there are no wholes on the puff, we don’t want the cheese to leak in the oven.
Beat the egg yolk and daub it on the puff.
Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place the puff on it and in the oven for 25 minutes. Savor!
4 Quinoa Blini, with Spicy Chicken Breast Slices and Cranberry
Ingredients:
For the quinoa blinis:
– 1 cup quinoa blended to turn into flour.
– 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
– 1 cup water
– 1 egg
– 1/2 tsp salt
For the mixture:
– Semi-firm cheese of your choice, I went with a Brie on this recipe.
– 1 package of Maple Lodge Farms’ “Natural From The Farm” Spicy BBQ chicken. You can find this product at the following grocery stores: Métro, IGA, Walmart and Super C.
– Cranberry jelly
– Toothpicks
Instructions:
For the blinis: mix all ingredients in a large bow until obtention of a smooth mixture. Heat a knob of butter in a frying pan and cook your blinis as you would small pancake bites.
Once your blinis are ready, place one slice of chicken rolled or folded in the centre of the blini, add a piece of cheese, and top with 1/2 tsp of cranberry jelly. Pass a toothpick through the chicken and the blini to make sure the chicken remains folded and serve!
