18 Nov Have a healthy Holiday!
Healthy Holiday recipes
The best time of the year has begun! Throughout the holidays we have more time to be with family and friends, and better yet, we get to eat and drink what we have waited for all year… holiday food! It is not rare to gain a little weight during this season, but it is something that we can avoid if we maintain an exercise routine, drink enough water and choose healthier recipes.
Cooking healthy dishes should not compromise the Holiday flavor that we long for all year:
Mashed cauliflower (Serves 8)
Ingredients
2 medium heads cauliflower, florets removed
6oz. fat free cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup of fat free milk
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Freshly chopped chives, for garnish
Butter, for serving
Directions
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add cauliflower florets and cook until tender, 10 minutes.
Drain well, pressing with paper towels or a clean dish towel to remove as much excess water as possible.
Return to pot and mash cauliflower with a potato masher until smooth and no large chunks remain.
Stir in cream cheese and milk and season with salt and pepper and mash until completely combined and creamy. (Add a couple tablespoons more milk until you reach desired consistency.)
Garnish with chives, season with more pepper, and top with a pat of butter.
Maple roasted beets and carrots (Serves 4)
Ingredients
5 large carrots peeled & sliced
4 medium beets peeled & diced
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
Directions
Preheat oven to 425F and move the rack to the middle position.
Cut the beets and carrots into pieces that are roughly the same size, and place the pieces on a large baking sheet.
Drizzle the olive oil onto the beets and carrots and add salt & pepper. Toss until they’re coated. Spread them out in an even layer.
Roast for about 15 minutes, or until they veggies are tender-crisp (this will vary depending how big the pieces are).
Take the baking sheet out of the oven and add the butter and maple syrup directly to the baking sheet. Let the butter melt then toss it again until everything is coated.
Return the baking sheet to the oven for another 5 minutes.
Serve immediately.
Salt and pepper charred green beans (Serves 10)
Ingredients
2.5lb. green beans, trimmed
2 tablespoons olive oil
Flaked salt
Coarsely ground fresh black pepper
Directions
Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat until very hot. Toss green beans, oil, and 3/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a bowl.
Add about a quarter of beans to the skillet and cook, without stirring, for 2 minutes, then toss and cook until charred and just tender, 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter and repeat with remaining beans. Season with salt and pepper.
