Have a Healthy Holiday
Don't gain weight, don't lose taste.
Dec. 4, 2008— -- The holiday season is here, and so are the many parties that go with it. If you're worried about maintaining the healthy eating habits you adopted as last year's New Year's resolution, here are some healthy holiday treats from registered dietitian Wendy Bazilian:
Red Alert
Ingredients:
2 ounces tart cherry juice
4 ounces coconut water
2 ounces club soda
Directions:
Pour ingredients into one 8-ounce glass. Stir to combine and serve.
Yield: 1 serving
Courtesy of www.choosecherries.com
Dried Cherry and Pistachio Bazilian Biscotti
You'll want to write a thank-you note to my mother-in-law, Nancy, for this one! These freeze beautifully, too.
Servings: 24
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Serving size: 2 biscotti (slices)
Cook Time: 3 hours
Volume: About 48 slices, (2-inch-by- ¾-inch-by-¾-inch)
Total Time: 3 hours, 15 minutes
Ingredients:
2 eggs
¾ cup sugar
¼ cup olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla
½ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ cup dried cherries
½ cup pistachios
2 cups unbleached, unbromated white flour
¼cup organic cane sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a food processor, mix together eggs, sugar, olive oil and vanilla. To the liquid mixture, add the salt and baking powder and process. Add dried cherries and pistachios; add flour last and process until dough sets or for approximately 5-10 seconds.
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. With wet hands form dough into 2, 12-inch "loaves" down the length of the cookie sheet (about ½-inch to ¾-inch high by 2 inches wide by 12 inches in length). Sprinkle generously with cinnamon-sugar mixture (¼ cup sugar and 2 teaspoons cinnamon).
Bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven. Cool 5 minutes. Carefully remove loaves to cutting board and slice somewhat thinly to approximately ½ inch to ¾ inch each with a very sharp knife. Return to parchment paper and bake 5 minutes more. Turn to other side, and bake 5-8 minutes more.
From Nancy Bazilian for Wendy Bazilian, DrPH, RD – www.wendybazilian.com
Curried Red Pepper Dip
Serve this healthful dip with an eye-catching assortment of fresh vegetables, such as baby carrots, chunks of red and yellow bell peppers, baby patty pan squash, blanched asparagus spears or broccoli and cauliflower florets.
Makes 8 (2-tablespoon) servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Refrigerate: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
1 container (7 ounces) Greek-style 2 percent plain lowfat yogurt
¼ cup finely chopped red bell pepper
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon Paprika
½ teaspoon McCormick Curry Powder
¼ teaspoon Sea Salt
Red Pepper, Ground, to taste (optional)
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in medium bowl until well blended. Cover.
Refrigerate at least 30 minutes to blend flavors. Serve with assorted cut-up fresh vegetables and baked pita chips.
Per serving:
Calories: 25
Fat: 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 2 grams
Cholesterol: 2 milligrams
Sodium: 58 milligrams
Fiber: 0 grams
Protein: 2 grams
Courtesy of www.spicesforhealth.com
Thyme and Cinnamon Poached Pears
Thyme and cinnamon are an unexpected antioxidant pair in this elegant dessert in which thyme's minty-green flavor accents the subtle sweetness of maple, cinnamon and lemon peel.
Makes 4 servings.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Ingredients:
4 ripe firm pears, such as Bosc, Bartlett or D'Anjou
1 cup pear nectar
1 cup water
¾ cup maple syrup
2 Cinnamon Sticks, slightly crushed
1½ teaspoons McCormick Thyme Leaves
4 strips lemon peel
Directions:
Peel and core pears from the bottom, leaving stems intact. Cut a thin slice off the bottom of each pear to provide a flat, even bottom. Set aside.
Mix remaining ingredients in large saucepan. Bring to boil. Place pears in liquid in saucepan, standing pears with stems pointing up. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 20 to 30 minutes or until pears are tender. Remove pears from saucepan.
Cook liquid 15 minutes longer or until reduced to about ¾ cup. Serve pears drizzled with sauce.
Per Serving:
Calories: 316
Fat: 0 grams
Carbohydrates: 78 grams
Cholesterol: 0 milligrams
Sodium: 11 milligrams
Fiber: 3 grams
Protein: 1 gram
Courtesy of www.spicesforhealth.com