New year, same plans to be healthy

This New Year’s Eve, there’s a clear-cut trend being observed among those giving food orders for their home parties  —— it has to be healthy and light. And not just that, folks want it custom-made to suit their tastebuds. City caterers are only too keen
to oblige.

Best of both worlds?
Model Sahil Shroff who’s having a New Year party at a friend’s place tonight, reveals his plans. “I’m in charge of ordering out and I’m ensuring that the food will be easy to digest. I’ve asked for grilled fish, some tandoori chicken and vegetarian kaukswe. It’s going be very light on oil content and while it’s healthy it won’t compensate on taste,” he explains.

Boutique owner Arpana Sarup Punjabi will be serving Neeru Mehra’s specially made low-fat olive and sundried tomato and other dips for a home party tonight. “The dip looks and tastes like the real thing and yet the calories are so few in it — it’s perfect, especially since my guests are as health-conscious as I am,” she says.

When less is more…
For Bandra-based home caterer Meeta Lala, who prepares her Sindhi, Italian, Thai and Lebanese fare “in olive oil only,” says there’s a definite upswing when it comes to wanting healthy fare.

“Going slim seems to be top of everyone’s mind now and folks won’t change that mantra, even if it’s a party. I make the food as light as folks want it. In fact, I’m just preparinga special starters-only menu with roasted aubergines and paneer-stuffed baked mushrooms,” informs Lala, whose celebrity client list makes for names like actor Malaika Arora Khan.

Ex-human resources professional, Deepa Jain who has converted her food blog into a food company, admits this year it’s her calorie cheesecakes that are in hot demand over all else for tonight.
“Instead of mascarpone cheese, I’m using a low-fat cream (just 25% fat) and cottage cheese…it’s as light as you can imagine!” she declares.

With most people seemingly on a sugar and fat-free high tonight, are you also going to taste the new party flavour?