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Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Real Food Thanksgiving Roundup - Soup , Sides, Salads, Entrees -Desserts




Welcome to Blog Talk Radio Listeners from my recent show!
Looking for healthy vegan and gluten free alternatives for 
Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas? 

Go no further!  I'm  providing you with healthy recipes that won't sacrifice taste and will help you maintain your waistline, your blood pressure, cholesterol, and your well being during the holidays 

The recipes are gluten free and most are vegan 
( some desserts and latkes are vegetarian)


 9 Easy Soup Choices:  

Pumpkin : This  Paleo Pumpkin Pie Soup  is a winner in my book. Use cooked pumpkin or any cooked winter squash for a delicious fragrant soup. Bursting with flavor, this rich golden soup is a favorite on the holiday.

Butternut : A bowl of this Savory Butternut Squash Soup   is only one point plus on Weight Watchers. What a great way to start off a meal. Satisfying and delicious.

Red Lentil Hearty Red Lentil Soup  is one of my favorites on a cold winter day. Red lentils cook quickly and melt into the vegetable soup making it hearty and creamy.

Chickpea:  Vegans could eat this high protein  Spanish Chickpea soup on Christmas. Especially with its rich red color.

Carrot :  Moroccan Spiced Carrot   adds a little kick to this otherwise mild carrot soup. Perfect to spice up any meal.

Mushroom: This Hot and Sour Chinese Soup  is my version of the hot and sour soup that is served in Chinese restaurants. It's full of fresh mushrooms, making it a mushroom lover's favorite.

Simple tasty broth type soup:  Carrot Ginger Soup   is one of my soothing recipes. It's really fast to prep and make.  It's the perfect soup if you are under the weather - acting like a vegan chicken soup  

Matzo Balls - Paula's recipe:  I included How To Make Matzo Balls 
( Gluten Free)  because they taste excellent in the clear carrot ginger soup instead of noodles. This recipe is easy and has a step by step pictorial tutor. Eat in the broth from carrot ginger soup.

Spinach Vegetable: This is my friend Paula's soup. I've had this Wilted Spinach Vegetable Soup  at her house on family gathering for various holidays. We love it.

Lentil; Tangy Tomato Lentil is a wonderful lentil soup with a tomato base. Cooks up quickly and it rich in protein too.

Spinach and Garlic: This beautiful green soup is easy to make and a must for spinach and garlic lovers. Fresh Spinach and Garlic Soup ( 1 PP on WW). Low in calories

Detox Soup - use this soup to fill up , cleanse and 
nourish- make this your plant based nutrient rich 

low fat go to soup when you need to cut back and 
restore balance in eating and your energy.


Vegan Holiday Sides: 

Squash and Yam Recipes
Cider Glazed Butternut Squash  is one of my favorites. The spiced cider cooks down making a sweet sauce for the squash. Mixed with added cinnamon for a real treat. 


Roasted Winter Squash for Thanksgiving is a medley of buttenut and acorn mixed with other roasted vegetables that is colorful and tasty and really pretty with roasted beets and cranberries.


Apple Yam and Dried Apricot Casserole is yet another version of a healthy yam casserole


Roasted Onion and Butternut Squash Bake. The onions caramelize and just a little cinnamon make this winter squash dish sensational.

Sweet Potato Tzimis ( sweet potato, dried fruits, nuts, etc) This is an old Jewish favorite that is a perfect side for Thansgivuakah this year ( Hanukkah falls on Thanksgiving and calls for a shared menu this year only)

Apple and Berry Stuffed Acorn Squash tastes amazing and you can use a bag of frozen berries during the fall and winter month. I use the cherry berry combination from Trader Joe's which gives this a sweet wonderful taste without any sugar. The recipe calls for peaches , but substitute apples when they are in season.


Stuffing Recipes: 
II'm not a stuffing eater, but the holiday calls for stuffing.  Hopefully these healthier versions won't make you too stuffed

Rice and bread: Wild Rice Stuffing ( Gluten Free)  This is a version that adds wild rice into the gluten free croutons.

Quinoa only : quinoa Stuffing    This recipe uses red and white quinoa, butternut squash and cranberries. ( no bread) makes a delicious, healthy, and gluten free stuffing. or side dish at any meal

Corn bread: Corn Bread Stuffing  This is a gluten free version, but use any cornbread for the recipe if you are not gluten free

Quinoa : Quinoa Chinese Style-  This is a great side dish substitute for stuffing 

Vegetable Sides: 

MushroomLemon Roasted Mushrooms with garlic and herbs  5 minute prep ( 12-14 minute cook time)  Everyone will love them.

Beet Lovers: If you are a beet lover, this easy recipe for Fresh cooked beets and orange slices  is a must at any holiday meal. The rich red color offset by the contrasting orange is just vibrant! A healthy dish for any occasion.

Sweet Potato: It doesn't get much easier , this Sweet Potato Smash is crispy and delicious. Each sweet potato is an individual serving of delight.

Sweet Potato:  Sweet Potato Fries ( baked)  Kids of all ages will opt for this old favorite. These are made with either a cajun seasoning or a mild cinnamon sprinkle.

White Potato: If you are a white potato lover and must indulge a little , these crispy potatoes add just the right touch to a holiday meal. White Potato Smash with fresh  Rosemary 

Cauliflower : Riced Cauliflower Pilaf is a low calorie alternative to grain. Easy and delicious, this recipe is must for anyone limiting carbs and calories. Tastes like a grain..


Brussel Sprouts: Roasted vegetables are sensational. Even if you think you don't like Brussel Sprouts, you will love Wendys. Wendy's Crunchy Vegetable Balls ( which is a disguised name for Roasted Brussels Sprouts )


Carrot : Moroccan Carrot Recipe is an authentic carrot dish that is found on the menu in many Moroccan restaurants. It's tangy lemon flavor makes a delicious side. 


Roasted Vegetable combinations: all vegetables taste good roasted. Roasting brings out their natural sweet flavors. Try roasting: winter squashes, potatoes, cauliflower, cherry tomatoes and garlic, onions, 


Latkes: 


My Best Ever Hanukkah Potato Latkes are baked not fried for the holidays. This version is based on a Swedish recipe that is baked. The latkes come out sensational ..


Weight Watchers: If you want something different that won't pack on the pounds, try my Weight Watchers style latkes  made with broccoli slaw instead of potatoes. It's interesting, tasty, and perfect for Hanukkah.

Old Fashioned Applesauce: What would latkes be without some good old fashined homemade applesauce?  Quick homemade applesauce 


Entrees 


Quinoa and Black Bean Stuffed Peppers







Salads :

Arugula and Cashew Salad- Make this for Christmas. The rich green arugala and sprinkling of fresh cranberries makes this a colorful favorite. 


Red and Orange Holiday Coleslaw is a must for cole slaw lovers. The colors and sweet flavors win everyone over.


These bright pinPickled Red Onions make a beautiful topping on any salad. The onions turn a beautiful hue of pink..



You will love this simple side dish that is healthy and delicious.


Desserts

Gluten Free Pumpkin Pie ( vegan) - absolutely delicious - but uses cashew nuts for the creaminess which adds a little more calories. 

Healthy Oatmeal Raisin Cookies- These are healthy enough to eat as a breakfast. no sugar. My grandkids LOVE them. Makes a great dessert.. Add some dried cranberries  to make into a Christmas cookie.


Pumpkin Cakes: Flourless   These little mini individual cakes are really delicious. Made with crunchy almond butter.. don't eat too many -- they are healthy but a little more caloric

This is my mother's recipe. She made it for dessert every Thanksgiving. Certainly a healthy and tasty end to a big meal... 

Black Bean Brownies: These brownies are made in the blender and are quick and easy to make. They taste amazing! Healthy, flourless, and tasty! 

All of the recipes are gluten free, most are vegan, and a few are vegetarian.

This Thursday, November 28, 2013 officially kicks off the holiday eating season with Thanksgiving launching five weeks of indulging on holiday goodies, too much sugar, too much salt, too many calories and too much fat. Statistics tell us that most Americans will gain anywhere between 3 to 10 pounds during this period.

Why Not Try some of my lighter and healthier recipes this year.

If you read my previous article, " It's not Your Fault" based on a study ....

you may remember that processed foods set up an addictive cycle. So when you eat sugar, you most likely will crave more sugar and when you eat salt and poor quality fats, the same will happen. No wonder once we start with the cookies, cakes, rich foods, etc. we want more and more. Not a good scenario.

However with a little more thought, it is easy to find healthier, lighter, less caloric substitutions! 

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