The holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, but it can also be a time of overindulgence and unhealthy eating habits. However, it is possible to enjoy a festive holiday feast while still maintaining a healthy diet. Here are some healthy recipes that are perfect for your holiday table.
Turkey is a classic holiday dish, but it can also be high in fat and calories. This roasted turkey breast recipe cuts down on the fat and calories while still providing a delicious and moist turkey.
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (about 6-7 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix together the olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and sage in a small bowl.
3. Rub the mixture all over the turkey breast, making sure to get under the skin.
4. Season the turkey with salt and pepper.
5. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let the turkey rest for about 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Green bean casserole is a classic holiday side dish, but it usually involves canned soup and fried onions. This healthier version uses fresh ingredients and skips the fried onions.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
4. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until tender.
5. Stir in the chicken broth and Greek yogurt. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to combine.
7. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Stuffing is a holiday staple, but it can be heavy and high in calories. This quinoa stuffing is a healthier alternative that still has all the flavors of traditional stuffing.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rinse the quinoa and place it in a medium saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and celery and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
4. Stir in the cooked quinoa, cranberries, pecans, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and pour the chicken broth over the top.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
There you have it - three healthy recipes that are perfect for your holiday feast. By making small adjustments to classic dishes, you can enjoy all the flavors of the season without sacrificing your health. Happy holidays!
Roasted Turkey Breast
Turkey is a classic holiday dish, but it can also be high in fat and calories. This roasted turkey breast recipe cuts down on the fat and calories while still providing a delicious and moist turkey.
Ingredients:
- 1 bone-in turkey breast (about 6-7 pounds)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 1 tablespoon dried rosemary
- 1 tablespoon dried sage
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 325°F (165°C).
2. Mix together the olive oil, thyme, rosemary, and sage in a small bowl.
3. Rub the mixture all over the turkey breast, making sure to get under the skin.
4. Season the turkey with salt and pepper.
5. Place the turkey breast in a roasting pan and roast for about 2 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
6. Let the turkey rest for about 10 minutes before carving and serving.
Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a classic holiday side dish, but it usually involves canned soup and fried onions. This healthier version uses fresh ingredients and skips the fried onions.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound fresh green beans, trimmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 8 ounces mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the green beans and cook for 3-4 minutes, or until tender-crisp. Drain and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
4. Add the mushrooms and cook for another 2-3 minutes, or until tender.
5. Stir in the chicken broth and Greek yogurt. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Add the green beans to the skillet and toss to combine.
7. Transfer the mixture to a baking dish and bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
8. Sprinkle with chopped parsley before serving.
Quinoa Stuffing
Stuffing is a holiday staple, but it can be heavy and high in calories. This quinoa stuffing is a healthier alternative that still has all the flavors of traditional stuffing.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup quinoa
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 stalks celery, diced
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Rinse the quinoa and place it in a medium saucepan with 2 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the quinoa is tender and the water is absorbed.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and celery and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until softened.
4. Stir in the cooked quinoa, cranberries, pecans, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Pour the mixture into a baking dish and pour the chicken broth over the top.
6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through.
Conclusion
There you have it - three healthy recipes that are perfect for your holiday feast. By making small adjustments to classic dishes, you can enjoy all the flavors of the season without sacrificing your health. Happy holidays!
