Healthy Holiday Cooking
(Family Features) The holidays are full of delicious temptations, but that doesn’t have to mean leaving your commitment to healthy eating behind. Making smart choices of what you eat and how you cook it can help you enjoy holiday dining and still beat the post-holiday blues.
With these hassle-free recipes and some tips from the healthy cooking experts at Culinary.net, you can give yourself — and your family — the gift of a festive holiday menu that has great taste and good nutrition.
Simple Solutions
Keep your holiday dishes deliciously simple with time-saving appliances such as the George Foreman® Evolve™ Grill. With four different plates for cooking, baking and grilling, it’s a simple way to help you stay on track with your healthy eating plan. (It makes a great gift, too.)
These mouthwatering recipes are a great way to feed your hungry holiday crowd something warm, healthful and satisfying — without sacrificing great taste.For more recipes and information on George Foreman Healthy Cooking products, visit www.georgeforemancooking.com.
Turkey Cranberry Panini
Makes 12 mini panini
24 baguette slices, 1/4 inch thick
5 ounces sliced turkey breast
(try using leftover turkey)
3 ounces sliced Havarti
3 tablespoons cranberry sauce
1/2 cup arugula leaves
Olive oil cooking spray, for extra crispiness
Veggie Panini
Makes 12 mini panini
24 baguette slices
3 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
1/3 cup chopped marinated artichoke hearts
12 large or 24 small fresh basil leaves
12 thin slices Roma tomatoes
3 thin red onionslices, quartered
Olive oil cooking spray, for extra crispiness
Tuscan Panini
Makes 12 mini panini
24 baguette slices
2 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
3 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced
4 to 6 asparagus spears, julienned
2 thin red onion slices, quartered
2 cloves garlic, minced
Olive oil cooking spray, for extra crispiness
Preheat grill for 5 minutes at 400°F. Spray 1 side of each bread slice with cooking spray. Distribute ingredients evenly among bread slices. Cook 6 panini at a time for about 3 minutes. Remove from grill. They can be kept warm in a 250°F oven while the second batch of panini cooks. Add to platter and serve.
Healthy Cooking Tips
from Culinary.net
Here are some easy ways you can boost the nutrition of your holiday foods and make them taste even better.
Flavor Up. Herbs and spices make ordinary food taste extraordinary — without adding salt, fat or sugar. Some spices may even help boost the antioxidant power of what’s already on your plate.
— Cinnamon has one of the highest antioxidant levels of any spice. One teaspoon of cinnamon has about the same amount as a full cup of pomegranate juice or a half cup of blueberries. Wake up your holiday mornings by sprinkling a half teaspoon over your ground coffee before brewing, or adding some to your oatmeal or yogurt.
— Thyme has about the same amount of antioxidants as a carrot or a half cup of chopped tomatoes. It also has beneficial compounds called flavonoids, which may help with inflammation. It’s a great addition to chicken, beef or vegetable soups, and can really dress up seafood.
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