6 Healthy Holiday Recipes That Are Next-Level Good

The holidays are almost here, and along with the festive Christmas lights and the cheerful drinks, we are this close to going through grandma's good old recipe book for some tasty inspiration. Unfortunately, while some of these recipes still have what it takes to impress a crowd, others need a serious (preferably, healthy) makeover. So, it's time to be original. From earthy and savory to fruity and sweet, these six holiday recipes hit the spot without putting you in a food coma. Grandma would be proud!

Side Dishes

1. Mashed Potatoes with Garlic and Chives

Let's be honest: few holiday recipes can top the cozy and comforting feeling that comes with a scoop of mashed potatoes. However, some of the dish's main ingredients aren't exactly the epitome of healthy. Combining garlic's anti-inflammatory properties⁽¹⁾ with chive's digestion-friendly profile⁽²⁾, this holiday recipe adds a healthy twist to the classic dish without discounting on flavor.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 cups dehydrated potato dices
½ cup heavy cream
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2-3 tbsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)
1 tbsp dehydrated chives
Salt, for seasoning
Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the dehydrated potato dices along with 4 cups of water.
2. Let them rehydrate for a couple of hours.
3. Once fork-tender, transfer the potatoes to a bowl and mash until smooth.
4. Meanwhile, add the cream, butter, chives, and granulated garlic in a pot and simmer.
5. Once heated, gradually stir the cream mixture into the potato bowl until they are fluffy.
6. Season with salt for extra taste, and serve immediately.

2. Cheesy Cauliflower Bites

In case you haven't heard, cauliflower is the new potato. So, if you want to wow your guests with an out-of-the-box holiday recipe, cheesy cauliflower bites are it. Plus, this winter vegetable is loaded with vitamins and antioxidants.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
3 cups freeze dried cauliflower pearls
1 cup Parmesan or Cheddar cheese, grated
½ cup heavy cream
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
1/3 tsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the dehydrated cauliflower along with 3 cups of water.
2. Once fork tender, drain the water.
3. Preheat the oven to 400^oF, and butter a baking dish.
4. Pour the heavy cream into the cauliflower bowl as well as the garlic, cayenne pepper, grated cheese, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. With your hands, form bite-sized balls and place them on the buttered baking dish.
6. Press them down with your palm, making them a bit flat, and bake for about 30 minutes or until they turn golden.
7. Once ready, remove from the oven and let them cool for a while before serving.

Main Dishes

3. Fancy Carrot Soup

If you want your holiday meal to look fancy, but you can't afford the time to cook, then this soup recipe is all you need. Taking less than an hour to put together, this holiday dish is the food equivalent of a hug.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
2 cups dehydrated carrots
1 cup canned tomato sauce
½ cup Greek yogurt
1 tsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)
1 tbsp olive oil
¼ tsp chili powder
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Directions:

1. In a food processor, add the carrots and tomato sauce, and blend until smooth. You may need to add some water during this step.
2. Transfer the puree to a pot and the Greek yogurt, garlic and powders, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Also, add a glass of water.
3. Bring the ingredients to a light simmer and let them cook for about 10 minutes.
4. Once cooked, remove from heat and serve immediately.

4. Beef-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

Many people believe that eating healthy during the holidays is a dream that will never come true. However, this beef-based holiday recipe is here to prove everyone wrong. Containing various tasty ingredients (beef and sweet potatoes are just the beginning), this dish will make even picky eaters smile with joy.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
4 large sweet potatoes, washed and scrubbed
1 ½ cups TVP Beef Bits
1/3 cup dehydrated onion
2 tsp dehydrated garlic (granulated)
3 tsp chili powder
1 15-ounce can of tomato sauce
½ cup Parmesan or Cheddar cheese, grated
Salt and pepper, for seasoning
Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the TVP beef bits along with 3 cups of warm water. Set aside for 15 minutes until the beef is rehydrated.
2. Meanwhile, poke the sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave them for about 10 minutes until they are fork-tender.
3. Cut them in half and scoop out some of the flesh to make room for the beef.
4. Once the meat is rehydrated, drain it from the excess water, and transfer it to a skillet.
5. Add a few tablespoons of water, and give the beef a light simmer.
6. After a couple of minutes, add the onion, garlic, and chili powder and keep simmering until the meat is cooked through.
7. Stir in the tomato sauce and simmer for 10 more minutes. Set aside to cool.
8. Spoon the beef mixture into the potatoes and top with grated cheese.
9. Bake for 5-10 minutes in a preheated oven or until the cheese is melted.

Desserts

5. Apple Oatmeal Cookies

Apples are to Christmas what pumpkin is to fall. That said, this delicious fruit shouldn’t be missing from the holiday table. Crammed alongside other tasty ingredients, such as oatmeal and cinnamon, this holiday recipe is a must for every host who wants to impress.
Servings: 15-20 cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup freeze dried apples
1 ½ cup rolled oats
¾ cup all-purpose flour
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
¼ cup brown sugar
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 egg, beaten
½ tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla extract
White chocolate (melted), for garnish
Directions:

1. In a bowl, add the freeze dried apples along with 1 cup of warm water. Set aside for 15 minutes until they are rehydrated.
2. Preheat the oven to 400^oF.
3. In a bowl, add the flour, oats, baking soda, and cinnamon and combine well.
4. Whisk in the butter, brown sugar, and white sugar.
5. Once mixed, add the vanilla extract and the egg.
6. Add the apples and mix well.
7. Line a baking pan with parchment paper.
8. Using your hands, form balls, and place them on the baking pan.
9. Press them down a bit using your palm.
10. Bake them for 10-12 minutes or until they turn brownish.
11. (Optional)You can top them with melted white chocolate.

6. Festive Trail Mix

If you're looking for a last-minute festive dessert recipe, then a trail mix is the way to go. How come? It takes minutes to put together, plus you can play with the season's colors merely by adding some red and green M&Ms.
Servings: 4
Ingredients:
1/3 cup freeze dried cherries
1 cup roasted unsalted peanuts
½ cup milk chocolate chips
1/3 cup freeze dried blackberries
½ cup roasted unsalted almonds
1/3 cup green and red M&Ms
Directions:

1. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and serve.

 


References:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4103721/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17566890

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