Low calorie meal for a group

shanamorris1107

I am going out of town with a group of people and everyone is bringing something to share for a meal. My boyfriend and I are currently dieting and I want to bring something that we are able to eat but th other people will also enjoy. Any ideas?

TeaBea

I bring something simple like veggies and dip. You can offer one low cal dip & one regular dip. A salad with different dressing options. Fruit kabobs would be fun.

Broth based soups - I like this white bean (I use chicken) chili: https://www.skinnytaste.com/white-bean-turkey-chili-4-pts/

Serve sour cream and grated cheese on the side. That way you can limit your portions.

Gravitate toward something that is already lowish calorie.....don't attempt something like low fat alfredo with "zoodles." No one will be fooled.

Semele0

You could make some rice or spelt salads. It's a great classic of "pic-nic" food, and it could be low cal if you put a lot of veggies and little condiment (just a little bit of olive oil, plus tomato, zucchini, green beans, corn, tuna, feta, pickles, carrots, I'm just throwing in things)

dsboohead

Google skinnytaste.....they have fabulous recipes.
I vote for a chicken/bean chili.

Mindcook

If you have the time and the wherewithal poach some salmon in water with unsalted vegetable or chicken stock (about 1:1 ratio) and serve with sliced lime/lemon and a cold sauce made with low fat yogurt (not greek), lime juice, dill or cilantro and green onions (green only)

acpgee

I would bring a salad with roasted vegetables and lentils, spiked with something salty such as feta, or capers or black olives. This type of salad is no worse for wear sitting around for a few hours on the buffet table and can be made in advance. Some examples. The NYT version uses bacon for their salty hit and the BBC uses feta with mint.

https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017128-lentil-salad-with-roasted-vegetables
https://www.bbc.com/food/recipes/roast_vegetable_and_85028

Another nice low calorie side if roast carrots with maple and harissa. You can get away with less oil than this recipe calls for. A tablespoon of olive oil for a large bunch of carrots is enough.

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/harissa-and-maple-roasted-carrots-51255090

lporter229

You could do burrito bowl/taco bar kind of thing. Cook chicken breast in a crock pot with salsa for the protein. Have rice, beans, corn, veggies as sides and cheese, salsa and guacamole for the toppings (think Chipotle). You can also have flour tortillas to make tacos or chips for nachos if people want. Make a bowl with some rice, beans, chicken and plenty of veggies and salsa for you and your husband. My husband and I do this when we need to provide meals for a group and everyone enjoys it and it can be as healthy or indulgent as you want it to be.

Lounmoun

Vegetable side dish or a salad of some kind
Shredded chicken sandwiches or wraps, black bean wraps
Deviled eggs
Meatballs