Simpler Living Blog

CHRISTMAS, RECIPES

Healthy Holiday Nibbles

Lehman's
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As the holiday season approaches I often need to stop and remind myself that the focus of the holidays doesn’t center around the preparations and the details but on the fellowship with family and friends as we celebrate the spirit of the season. As we gather to give thanks for our blessings, please keep in mind those who are less fortunate, those who are pending job loss, those who have lost loved ones, those who can’t be with us and then, put the rest of life in perspective. For all the joys we cherish, there are sorrows that burden us, and if nothing else, we just need to be mindful of those around us who are struggling during this time and offer a helping hand.
As you plan gatherings, remember to include foods for those who are trying to avoid putting on a few extra pounds through the holidays. Again, from our friends in Extension at the University of Kentucky, Janet Tietyen has the following tips for us to use.

Healthy Holiday Nibbles

Author: Lehman's

Ingredients

1–2 heads of broccoli
A pint of cherry tomatoes
1 head of cauliflower
Your favorite dip (maybe reduced-fat Ranch or Honey Mustard).
1 bag fresh cranberries
2 fresh oranges (or tangerines)
1 to 2 cups of sugar (amount of sugar can be varied depending on your sweet tooth)

Directions

Wash and drain all the vegetables and cut the tops of the broccoli and cauliflower into flowerettes.
On a festive serving tray, arrange the broccoli in the shape of a Christmas tree.
Then decorate the tree with cherry tomato “ornaments” and put a layer of cauliflower “snow” under the tree. You can even top the tree with a slice of star fruit.
Wash and drain the cranberries and oranges. Finely chop the cranberries (by hand or with the food processor) and mix with 1 cup of sugar, then set aside.
Quarter the oranges and remove the seeds, but leave the peel on. Chop the oranges, using both pulp and peel, then mix with the cranberries. Add more sugar to taste, probably another ½-1 cup. This tart and sweet cranberry relish gives fiber, vitamins and taste and color to a holiday meal.
I use a similar recipe but add 2 apples, a can of crushed pineapple (with juice) and 2 packages of gelatin (one lemon and one cranberry-raspberry).
Mix the gelatin with 2 cups of hot water to dissolve. Add the sugar to this hot solution, then add the fruits and allow to cool. It is not a “solid” salad but adds a great flavor to the holiday meal.