3 Healthy Holiday Recipes
Recipes that you’ll feel good about!
Hello, Explorers!
You wouldn’t believe how many calories people consume during the holidays. I also find it extremely difficult to restrain myself from all the yummy foods that guests make. However, these are three delicious recipes that I would recommend to make for your next holiday gathering. I gathered my three favorite healthy, holiday recipes inspired by my ethnic heritage. The recipes are American, Latin, and Asian. They are delicious, packed-full of nutritious ingredients, can be adjusted according to your liking, and best of all, guilt-free. Let’s get started!
Caramelized Butternut Squash & Roasted Brussel Sprouts
-Makes 4-6 Servings, Gluten Free & Vegetarian
-Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 1 hour
Ingredients:
1 Butternut Squash
1 Apple
15 Brussel Sprouts
½ Cup of Almonds
½ Cup of Walnuts
½ Cup of Dried Cranberries
3 Tbsp of Olive Oil
3 Tbsp of Maple Syrup
3 Tbsp of Honey (optional)
½ Tsp of Salt (optional)
Recipe:
Brussels Sprouts & Apples:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Coat a baking pan with Olive Oil.
Trim ends of Brussels sprouts. Slice Brussels sprouts in half.
In a bowl, combine Brussels sprouts, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt (optional), and toss to mix.
Place non-stick foil onto a baking sheet, roast in the oven for 25 minutes. During the last 5-10 minutes of roasting, turn them over for even roasting and throw in thinly-sliced apples.
Butternut Squash:
Preheat oven to 400 F. Coat a baking pan with Olive Oil.
Cube Butternut squash (peeled and seeded).
In a bowl, mix 1 tablespoon of olive oil, maple syrup, and honey. Mix in the squash and toss.
Place butternut squash in a single layer on the baking pan. Bake for 25 minutes, and then turn over for even roasting.
Note: You can roast your Brussel sprouts and Butternut squash on 2 separate baking pans at the same time.
Toast Almonds & Pecans:
Toast Almonds & Pecans in a preheated oven at 350 F.
Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
Toast the nuts for 5-7 minutes in the preheated oven at 350 F until they get darker in color, careful not to burn them.
Assembly:
In a large bowl, combine your roasted Brussels sprouts, roasted Butternut squash, Almonds, Pecans, and Cranberries. Toss evenly and serve.
Ponche Navideño (Christmas Punch)
-Makes 12-15 Servings, Vegetarian & Vegan
-Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
16 Cups of filtered water
6 Guavas, peeled and quartered
3 Large red apples, cut into chunks
2 Pears, cut into chunks
1 Orange, sliced
1 Pilloncillo cone, you can buy this at any Mexican supermarket (or 1 cup of dark brown sugar)
6 Cloves
4 Cinnamon sticks
2 Tbsp of dried Hibiscus flowers
1 Dried Tamarind pod, husked and seeded
Recipe:
Place all your ingredients in a large stockpot. Once boiled, lower heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. The longer it is simmered, the better.
Mix together and make sure the Piloncillo/Brown sugar has completely dissolved.
Serve hot in mugs. Make sure each cup has some fruit in it. It is so delicious to take a sip and bite into sweet fruit!
Fresh Spring Roll
-Makes 4-6 Servings, Paleo, Vegetarian & Vegan (optional)
-Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
1 Package of Vermicelli noodles (Yam noodles optional)
½ Cup of Soy sauce (Low sodium optional)
2 Tbsp of Sesame Oil
A handful of Basil, sliced into strips
1 Bundle of Spinach
A handful of Mint, sliced into thin strips
A handful of Cilantro, sliced into thin strips
2 Stalks of Green onion, chopped
2 Tbsp of Sesame seeds
1 Package of Rice paper
2 Tbsp of Peanut butter
1 Head of Lettuce (Romaine or Butter Lettuce)
1 lb Protein (cook ground beef, tofu, optional)
Recipe:
Soak 1 rice paper in a shallow bowl with warm water until pliable, 30 seconds to 45 seconds..
Arrange a small mound of your filling ingredients in the center of the wrapper.
Roll the ingredients into the rice paper, then fold the left side and right side of the wrapper and press down, continue rolling until a tight spring roll has been formed.
Repeat for all your rolls
To prepare the peanut sauce, mix the soy sauce, sesame oil, peanut butter and sesame seeds together until combined, then serve as a dip with the spring rolls.
I hope you enjoy making these simple, but delicious recipes for your upcoming dinner parties. They are colorful, healthy and guilty-free for many that are concerned with what to eat during the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!
(Picture by @shutterbuglizzy.com)
Goodbye, Explorers!