Perhaps you have already cast your ballot for the winner of the 136th Kentucky Derby, selected your most decorative hat yet, and sent out the invitations to your Derby party. Now, all you need are the recipes for your Southern style menu.
Usually when we think of Southern food, fried, breaded, crumbled and cheesy come to mind. There is no question Southern favorites are delicious but they can also send your arteries into a frenzy.
But worry no more: DietsInReview.com has compiled a list of our favorite Southern-inspired recipes that are just as good as they are good for you. From crispy chicken to berry crumble, we have healthy recipe makeovers that are so filled with Southern hospitality and yumminess that even Paula Deen might put down her donut burger and sample a few of your tasty and nutritious dishes.
Rosemary Skewered Chicken with Orange Glaze: Created by Curtis Stone from the Biggest Loser, this flavorful dish can be served as an appetizer or a small main course. Get a boost of vitamin C from the oranges and improve your digestion, immune system, and circulation with fresh rosemary.
Fruity Iced Tea: Refresh your guests with this healthy alternative to traditional sweet tea. This healthy tea recipe blends vitamin-rich fruit nectar with the antioxidant benefits of black tea.
Biggest Loser White House Salad: A salad overflowing with farm-fresh veggies, inspired by the vegetables grown in the First Family’s White House garden. This salad is not just any ordinary salad.
Baked Coconut Shrimp: This healthy take on a calorie-laden appetizer will trick even the most die-hard deep-fried fans with its flavorful oven toasty crunch. Shrimp is an excellent source of protein, selenium, tryptophan, vitamins D and B12, and omega fatty acids.
Tuna Patties: Make these protein-rich patties big enough for Derby burgers or small enough for Derby sliders. Either way, your guests will love the subtle flavor parsley mixed with the lightness of the tuna.
Crispy Chicken: With crunch, spice and flavor, you won’t miss the fact that this dish is baked with cornflakes rather than deep-fried in oil.
Weight Watchers Cobbler: You can’t get more Southern than cobbler, and a dessert made with soda. Even though this recipe contains just three ingredients, it is packed with nutrition and flavor.