Appetizer!

I am nearing the final stages of my planning process. Hurray!
I am now starting to plan the first course of my meal: the appetizer.
I will be incorporating all the information that I've gathered in the previous entries, to help me choose which food I should cook for the course.

I must include:
Low carb (carbs come in not only starchy breads, but fine sugars as well)
No Peanuts
A balance of the meals, so as one course is not too heavy
A salty/sweet option

I would argue that the appetizer is the most important course in the entire meal, because it gives my guest their first impression of the meal. They will immediately form an opinion on the flavor once the food hits their tongue.
This means I must make a spectacular, yet light first course for my meal.
As a recap, my appetizer must be light because if the stomach of my guest is full immediately after the first course, the rest of the meal will not be as appealing.

I will give myself three options to choose from for my final appetizer ideas.

Option #1:

Melon and prosciutto

Pros:                                                    Cons:
Salty sweet aspect                                 High salt content (prosciutto)
(prosciutto salty, melon sweet)              high fat prosciutto
Melon low fat                                        high calorie
low-carb
Low number of ingredients
easy-make

Ingredients:
3 Cups cubed melon
1 pound deli prosciutto



Option #2:

Cranberry Walnut Spinach Salad with homemade raspberry vinaigrette 

Pros:                                                        Cons:
salty/sweet aspect                                     High fat content
range of daily vitamins                             High carb content
high fiber                                                  high calorie content
                                                                 many ingredients
                                                                 complex-make





Ingredients:














Option #3:
Bruschetta with Tomato and Basil

Pros:                                                        Cons:

easy-make                                                 many ingredients

range of daily vitamins                             High carb content

low # ingredients                                      high calorie content

low fat content                                          no salty-sweet combination

                                                               

                     

Comparing the pros and cons for each option, I have decided to choose the third option as my appetizer. 

The option is a high source in vitamin C from the tomatoes,  giving an average of 6% of the daily needed amount. 

Although the amount of carbohydrates is high, running on an average of 24g per serving, I will be sure to include a low-carb main course to balance out the meal. 

The dish is simple to make, and I have had previous experience making it before, so I know that I am comfortable serving the dish to my guests.
I must make no however, that although the tomatoes are slightly sweet, this course does not offer a prominent salty/sweet combination.
I won't panic, this just means that in one of the other courses, I must choose to incorporate this aspect.

On my next post, I will be deciding which main course I will choose! 

Ciao,

Kate xx