THE COOL CLUB
Hearty warm dinners such as casseroles, stews, and soups are of course necessary during these cold, wintery months. But they simply cannot provide us with the same fresh, healthy feeling of a light, chilled dish this January to tackle those healthy New Year’s resolutions head on.
Whether you are having guests over or simply looking for some different healthy food options, The Ice Co has you covered with these five healthy comfort foods – best served chilled, of course!
Winter Salads
Whilst fresh fruit and veggies may be associated with the spring harvest and summer sun, even on a cold winter’s night there is nothing more stimulating than a garden-fresh salad! Sure, tomatoes and cucumbers may not be in season, but that does not mean you don’t have other options.
Begin your winter salad with some raw greens, such as lettuce, spinach, and kale. Don’t forget other raw veggie toppings like chopped carrots, onions, celery, mushrooms and even broccoli. To add extra flavour and creaminess we also recommend you add either roasted butternut squash, sweet potato, or chickpeas. Why enhance it even further by putting in some blue cheese or spiced peanuts?
Once you have combined all this savoury goodness, and it is ready to serve, place one or two of the Ice Co’s Premium Ice cubes on the top of your salad bowl just helps bring those natural textures alive, as well as keeping the contents of your salad crisp and firm.
Saving it for your lunch for work the next stay? Store in your fridge and pack your Tupperware around with some extra ice to keep it fresh.
FRUIT PLATTERS
Fruit platters are a great healthy choice for any gathering, plus it helps add a splash of colour to any buffet!
Often overlooked, dried fruits make a cool addition to any fruit platter, and there is plenty of revitalising options to select such as apricots, apples, pears, mangos, and banana chips.
Fresh fruit is obviously necessary, and most supermarkets will have tropical fruits such as mango, pineapple and melon which are seasonal in the Caribbean this time of year.
So, serve your fruit platter over ice for a healthy pudding alternative to finish off your dinner – it’ll help combat the sweet and sugary cravings!
GAZPACHO OR COLD SOUP
Yes, you read that right! Cold soups such as Gazpacho can fill your stomach and refresh you at the same time, unlike traditional soups where you are normally left thirsty after eating a hot bowl.
Try a simple tomato gazpacho which includes tomatoes, a red pepper, red onion, ground cumin, salt and pepper, or a mint cucumber soup which is made from cucumbers, courgette, onion, garlic, mint leaves and vegetable broth.
Add all your chosen ingredients into a blender with three to four cubes of the Ice Co’s Party Ice to make sure the soup is served cool.
RAW SEAFOOD SELECTION
If you’re counting the calories, raid your local fishmonger for a choice of raw fish to suit your budget and you have an instantly impressive dish. Take your pick from a selection of shrimp, crab, scallops, seabass, salmon, mackerel, and tuna, to collate the ultimate raw seafood collection. If you are feeling super fancy, you could even add some freshly shucked oysters or cooked lobster!
The best way to serve raw fish is to place each item over a tray or plate of Ice Co’s Crushed Ice, as it packs more closely, cools more quickly, and keeps the fish fresher for longer.
COLESLAW & POTATO SALADS
Whether it is a homemade slaw or shop-bought variant, coleslaws or potato salads are the ideal side dish to go with any cuisine. Or can even serve as a packed lunch!
If you are looking for a healthier variant, your best bet is to avoid the readymade packs and make your own making sure to reduce the amount of salt, and mayonnaise you add.
To keep the freshness of your coleslaw or potato salads, make sure to serve these in a plastic serving dish placed on top of a tray or plate of Ice Co’s Party Ice. This allows you to keep the coleslaw or potato salad out of the fridge for much longer and helps sustain that creamy and wholesome texture.
For more food tips and recipe ideas, visit www.theiceco.co.uk
