Finger Food (from the English. "Finger Food") is a fashionable culinary trend, the main idea of which is to eat small portions of food. Not only the owners save money on food, but also universal overeating is prevented. Instead of piles of dirty dishes, a few napkins and wooden sticks remain. Recent studies emphasize the importance of preventing overeating, as New Year's Eve parties are responsible for 15% of obesity cases each year.
What New Year's finger foods can I cook?
The most famous variety of finger food is small sandwiches. Salmon, salami, cheese and some vegetables are still popular at classic parties. Brown bread with cream cheese and crab salad are not only more satisfying, but also rich in fiber and omega-3. Instead of black bread, you can use a toast cut into four squares. However, sandwiches made of typical bread with a slice of ham cannot be served by the New Year's table.
In addition to "German" sandwiches, dishes from Italian cuisine are common. In addition to pizza and spaghetti, Italians also love tramezzini, ciabatta and bruschetta, which are attributed to finger foods. Even mozzarella balls, which contain a small piece of basil between two tomatoes, will fit the New Year's table.
Tapas is popular in Spain. Composition includes small salted peppers, spicy salami, tortilla cubes, serrano ham, salt crusted potatoes or stuffed olives.
Sushi also refers to finger foods. Especially rolls wrapped or fried with seaweed will saturate guests. Cheese rolls, fried banana, shrimp, tofu cubes or exotic fruit skewers can replace traditional olivier or herring under a fur coat.
On New Year's Eve, you can also cook small dumplings served in tiny bowls, or salads in special spoons. To consume finger foods, you need large glasses, espresso cups or tea trays made of glass.
What "delicious" finger foods exist?
Since finger foods often replace traditional cuisine, desserts should not be missing from the New Year’s menu. Important: all dishes should be eaten without a plate by hand. Therefore, various pastries are suitable: muffins, cookies, donuts or cakes.
Skewers with slices of fruit, chocolate-coated bananas or canapé ice cream will sweeten the holiday without harm to health.
Is finger food healthy and wholesome?
Depending on the season, people have different tastes, but the emphasis is either on healthy or tasty food. In summer, light snacks with lots of vegetables, fruits, cream cheese and herbs are more common. In winter, they prefer harmful and high-carb foods.
Overeating is the main risk of developing obesity and overweight. Holidays contribute to the accumulation of fat mass, as recent studies have shown.
Finger foods help avoid overeating.
Small dishes are digested faster, easier to chew and saturate a person in a short time. Fast saturation prevents further food intake. If you give preference to high-protein and fatty finger foods, the risk of overeating is significantly reduced. If alcohol is taken on New Year's Day, possible liver dysfunctions are prevented. Alcohol, as you know, blocks the degradation of fatty acids, so they settle on the liver. Reducing the intake of fatty foods reduces the load on the liver cells.
In winter, canapes are especially popular on holidays. On Christmas and New Year, light snacks are increasingly replacing the obligatory "fat" raclette or fondue. They can be replaced with small soup, onion pie or baked potatoes in a mini saucepan.
For Christmas or New Year, a spiced cheese, such as Roquefort or Gorgonzola, is served with pickled fruit, meatballs and puff pastry topping. For such "hearty" dishes, it is best to drink dry red wine or fresh draft beer to emphasize the taste of the food.
Canapes, sushi, cheese and grape cubes, Mexican tacos, grilled vegetables or small salads will ideally replace junk food.
Fruit cocktails, punch or cold white wine are ideal drinks for finger foods.
