Healthy Christmas Recipes and Christmas Menus. It often happens when hosting a holiday get-together that you spend more time getting the feast on the table and cleaning up than actually spending time with your loved ones which is the whole reason you hosted Christmas anyway, right? Our healthy Christmas recipes might just be your answer to spending more time with your guests!
Well, this year Christmas can be different but just as tasty thanks to a few simple menus along with plenty of make-ahead recipes to maximize your time spent with your family and friends and minimize your time in the kitchen. Two of our menus even have planners outlining what to make ahead when and what to do Christmas day. We’ve also included a few other of our favorite menus (including one for brunch and one for Christmas Eve) to enjoy with your family before and after the gifts come. And don’t forget to leave Santa some of our award-winning Christmas cookies this year!
Red & White Salad
Bitter, sweet and peppery flavors marry well in this confetti-like salad of wintery fruit and vegetables.
ississippi Spiced Pecans
Make plenty of these mildly sweet and salty nuts they are great to have on hand over the holidays.
Bold Winter Greens Salad
For this cousin of the Caesar salad use a combination of winter greens, such as radicchio and escarole; the anchovies and lemon juice temper their bitterness. Vary the amount of garlic and anchovy according to your preference.
Slow-Cooked Provençal Beef Stew
The flavors in a slow-cooked beef stew improve as it sits for a day or two, so it is a perfect make-ahead for a dinner party. Buy nicely marbled meat, such as chuck, for this recipe.
Citrus Ginger Cake with Spiced Orange Compote
The flavor of this spiced orange compote improves with time so make it a day ahead or the morning of your party. Serve chilled in a clear bowl so the colors show through.
Shredded Root Vegetable Pancakes
Red beets and golden carrots look especially festive in these zesty horseradish-and-bacon-flecked cakes. Avoid parsnips, which need to be cored, in this recipe, as trying to shred the smaller cored pieces might result in nicked knuckles. Try the pancakes with seared steaks or make them bite-size for a beautiful appetizer.
Apple-&-Leek-Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Stuff pork tenderloin with apple and leek to take it from ordinary to elegant. Our easy method of tying the roast together keeps the filling inside while you brown and roast it. We use applejack, brandy made from apple cider, for depth of flavor in the pan sauce, but you can use 1/2 cup cider if you prefer.
