-
Our Favorite Healthy Recipes For The Holidays
If you’re like me, you love showing up to gatherings with a well thought-out, lovingly-prepared dish. Whether it’s sweet or savory, appetizer or entrée, you want to wow the crowd.
Of course, it’s not always that easy. First, aside from the professional chefs, it’s difficult to make the time it takes to put together a killer recipe! From shopping for produce to chopping it up, it can take hours to put even a “simple” dip together.
Then, there’s the task of figuring out whether a recipe actually matches your skill level. Do I need to go out and buy artisanal olives from the highest mountains of Peru for this “simple” recipe? How much cheesecloth did this recommend? Brine my chicken in what?!
Lastly – and for many of us, most importantly – we want to make healthy recipes. We want to make sure our own health needs our being met while catering to our gluten-free cousins and our newly vegan neighbours.Healthy Recipes Can Be Simple, Too
Putting together healthy recipes without sacrificing our time and our sanity can be a tough task, but don’t fret – this year, we scoured the Internet to put together this quick reference list so you can eat healthily and heartily all through the holidays.
Image credit: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Jan Gautro, Laura Zapalowski
SUPER QUICK PUMPKIN DIP
This delicious concoction only requires six ingredients. Using low-fat cream cheese instead of the full-fat variety lands this on our list of healthy recipes. Serve this before, during, or after the meal; it pairs wonderfully with fruits, meats, and pastries!You can cut the calories even further by using a Truvia blend instead of brown sugar, and swap agave for maple syrup if you’re looking for something a little more blood-sugar friendly.
Image courtesy of Food Network
INDIAN SPINACH-AND-CHICKPEA FRITTERS
From start to finish, these little crisps only take 35 minutes to make. Surprise your guests and family with a new texture and flavor by serving up some chickpea fritters this year!These fritters work well warm or cold, plain or with sauce, so they’re a wonderfully versatile snack to whip up and take with you.
Photo: Ellen Silverman; Styling: Toni Brogan
BRUSSELS SPROUTS SALAD WITH CRISPY BACON VINAIGRETTE
Don’t be the one to bring an iceberg lettuce to the party this year. Add some zest and some crunch with this crispy salad. Each element of the dish adds a different flavor profile – some bitterness from the sprouts, savory bacon, and sweet pecans.The recipe says it makes eight servings but you’ll probably have to double it because everyone will go back for seconds.
Image courtesy of Better Homes and Gardens
WARM BRIE WITH FIG AND PISTACHIO TAPENADE
Cheese can accompany pretty much any meal for any season. This warm brie gets festive with a figgy topping.Serve with fruits and crackers as an appetizer or as a dessert; the sweet and savory mixture makes it work both ways!
Image courtesy of FastPaleo
BACON-WRAPPED DATES WITH CASHEW AND PINEAPPLES
If this isn’t the perfect recipe, I don’t know what is. A mouth-watering combination of sweet and savory, soft and chewy, with just enough crunch from the almonds.This low-carb recipe will keep you energized if you serve it as an appetizer, but it’s also hearty enough to pile a bunch of these dates on a plate and call it a meal.
Share Your Healthy Recipes With Us!
What flavors get you through the holidays without breaking your health commitments? How do you stay sane without sacrificing too much time? Let us know – shoot us an email, leave us a comment here or on Facebook!
Happy Holidays from all of us at Smart Integrative Massage Group!
