You may be feeling as though you need a vacation from this past week of cooking and shopping, but finally Christmas has arrived! 

 Whether you are celebrating the spirit of Christmas or simply enjoying an evening at home with your family; we all can appreciate time spent with loved ones. 

 If you are entertaining, remember to be mindful of any guests that may be living with a condition controlled by diet such as diabetes and celiac disease. Consider healthier dessert options such as cheese and fruit, poached pears, baked apples or brown rice pudding so that everyone can partake in the festivity of the holiday! 

 Lighter appetizers and snacks that are easy to prepare will ensure the host can enjoy the fun too! 

Let’s prepare a simple and light shrimp recipe that makes an elegant appetizer or snack for your festivities. You won’t believe they are only 50 calories each! 

 

Shrimp Avocado Cucumber Bites 

Makes: 16 servings 

Total Prep: 15 minutes 

 

Ingredients: 

• 1-pound Green Way Shrimp, peeled & deveined (16 to 20 count)

• 1 teaspoon old bay seasoning

• 1 teaspoon olive oil

• ½ cup prepared guacamole

• 1 cucumber, peeled with some green showing, ½ inch slices

• 2 ½ ounces Chopped Pancetta or Chopped bacon

 

Directions:

1.     Slice cucumbers and set aside. 

2.     Meanwhile, heat a large skillet of medium-high heat, add pancetta or bacon to pan and cook until crisp. Remove from shrimp from pan, and pour off remaining fat.  Set aside.

3.     Season shrimp with old bay seasoning, Drizzle with 1 tsp olive oil and toss to coat. 

4.     Add shrimp to hot pan. Cook on both sides until shrimp is opaque and cooked through, about 7 minutes total.  Remove from pan.

5.     Assemble: top cucumber slice with tsp guacamole, a sprinkle of pancetta and one shrimp. Continue with remaining ingredients. 

Serve immediately. 

Nutrition Information: 

50 Calories; 1g carbohydrate; 2.6g fat; 5g protein; 200mg sodium; 0.5g fiber 

 

Recipe by: Jacqueline Gomes, RDN, MBA