Looking for a healthy holiday cookie? Look no further! Traditional oatmeal raisin cookies are transformed with a humble can of chickpeas. The results will surprise you!
HEALTHY HOLIDAY TREAT
In the world of cookies, the chocolate chip reigns supreme, but not far behind is the oatmeal raisin with its more crumbly, earthy texture and warm, comforting spices. Here’s a healthier version of these classic cookies made with a can of chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans). If you have a health-conscious cookie lover in your life, these would be a perfect holiday treat for them. (more…)
Finally, an unintimidating recipe for turkey gravy and it’s gluten-free too!
GRAVY IS ESSENTIAL
There are lots of dishes you can do without on Thanksgiving. I can do without the marshmallow topped sweet potatoes and the mushy green bean casserole made with a can of soup, but there’s one thing most people would agree that you definitely cannot do without on Thanksgiving (aside from Turkey of course) and that’s gravy. Roast turkey is somewhat bland even when it’s cooked to perfection (see my tip at the end of this post for perfectly cooked turkey meat) and thus needs to be topped with gravy to achieve its full glory. So, when you’re the cook, the pressure is on because even if your turkey and all the Thanksgiving sides are perfect, a lackluster gravy will detract from the entire meal. Most gravy recipes are needlessly overcomplicated, which increases the likelihood you’ll mess it up, but this recipe for Easy Gluten-Free Turkey Gravy is pretty much foolproof. It can be made with any amount of turkey drippings – even drippings from a small turkey breast or chicken will produce excellent gravy. You can even make this gravy without turkey drippings and can vary the richness by using either milk, half and half, or heavy cream. (more…)
Learn the secret to juicy, flavorful pork chops with this easy recipe. One of the best uses ever for leftover stuffing!
Pork chops are a great weeknight meal, but even if they’re cooked to the proper internal temperature, they can be rather bland, especially if they’re prepared too simply. Another problem with pork chops is that they’re typically lean cuts of meat with very little fat so it’s easy to overcook them. This recipe for Stuffing Topped Pork Chops is a case study in how to handle these two challenges and it’s also one of the best uses ever for leftover stuffing. (more…)
These modern-day gingerbread men are made with coconut oil and have a soft, chewy texture with classic gingerbread flavor. JUMP TO RECIPE
Nothing gets me into the holiday spirit more than making gingerbread cookies. This year I updated my old recipe, one I’ve been using for many years, and came up with Coconut Oil Gingerbread Men. These cookies have a soft texture and classic gingerbread flavor and are so much fun to decorate. My old gingerbread men recipe calls for vegetable shortening, and in the past I used Crisco to make these cookies, but I no longer use partially hydrogenated fats (also known as trans fats) because they’ve been linked to inflammation and heart disease. A great replacement for products like Crisco is coconut oil and it can be used 1:1 so it’s an easy substitute. (more…)
A wide assortment of super savory ingredients combine to make the most delicious Thanksgiving stuffing ever! JUMP TO RECIPE
When the pilgrims arrived on the shores of Plymouth, Massachusetts back 1621, they never could have imagined that their ceremonial harvest feast would eventually turn into one of the most treasured national holidays. (Read more about the history of Thanksgiving here.) What makes Thanksgiving so special is its lack of religious connotations and commercialism. It is, quite simply, the best day of the year to gather with family and friends, share a traditional meal, and be grateful not only for the food we eat, but for our relationships as well. I take this sentiment to heart each year when I prepare my Thanksgiving feast, always making sure that I include dishes that my family loves, one of which is this Best Ever Gluten-Free Stuffing. (more…)
This super simple recipe makes the ultimate smooth and creamy sweet potatoes. Great any time of year but perfect for the holidays. JUMP TO RECIPE
This recipe for Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Bourbon and Pecans is a Thanksgiving classic, but if you love sweet potatoes, you’ll be making this comforting dish all year long! It’s a staple in our house because it’s delicious and so simple to prepare.
A classic side dish that feeds a crowd and can be made entirely ahead of time. Great for holiday entertaining. JUMP TO RECIPE
Let’s face it, cooking and serving Thanksgiving dinner is an ordeal. Even if your guests pitch in by bringing food and helping with the cleanup, it’s still a ton of work. The only way to keep your sanity through it all is to stay organized and do as much as you can ahead of time, including some of the cooking. A lot of people think mashed potatoes, a classic Thanksgiving side dish, must be served immediately after you make them, but this recipe for Make Ahead Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes dispels that myth. This dish can be made entirely in advance, allowing you more time to spend with your guests, which is after all, what Thanksgiving is all about! (more…)
A healthy, festive treat for any patriotic holiday. Great for parties. JUMP TO RECIPE
I am the worst planner and someone who often waits until the last minute to get things done. These Paleo Patriotic Teacakes, perfect for the 4th of July, are a case in point. Any food blogger knows that holiday recipes need to be posted at least a couple of months ahead of time but I am just now getting around to publishing this – right under the wire! The good news is these teacakes are simple to make so even if you’ve already planned your July 4th menu you can quickly throw these together and, with the exception of the strawberry fruit leather, you probably already have what you need to make them in your pantry right now, especially if you follow a paleo diet. (more…)
The Recipe Redux is a group of like-minded food bloggers whose mission is to inspire the food lover in every healthy eater and inspire the healthy eater in every food lover. Each month members post recipes to their blogs following a theme set by the group moderators. This month’s theme is favorite kitchen tools, gadgets, and gizmos. Click the Recipe Redux link at the bottom of this page to see links to all the posts for this month’s challenge.
Valentine’s Day is coming up and it of course wouldn’t be complete without chocolate, but if you’ve been diligently sticking to your New Year’s healthy eating resolutions you might be reluctant to celebrate with the traditional confections served on this holiday. If that’s the case, then these Healthy Salted Caramel Chocolate Hearts are the answer! A thin coating of dark, bittersweet chocolate with a light sprinkling of flaked sea salt covers mock caramel, which is made from pureed dates, flaxseed, and peanuts. This filling is completely free of refined sugar so it lacks the characteristic biting sweetness of a typical caramel filling. Make no mistake though – these are still decadent little treats, high in fat and calories, but when compared to other chocolate covered caramel candies, they are definitely more nutritious. They’re lower in sugar and have a little bit of protein and fiber where most chocolate covered caramel candy has none. (more…)
A delicious, not-too-sweet, seasonal cocktail that clocks in at 138 calories per serving.
Even though the holidays are over, and many people are trying to cut back on their alcohol consumption in the month of January, it still seems fitting to post this recipe for Skinny Winter White Cosmopolitans today because we are in the middle of a snow storm here in New England. The flakes are falling fast and furious, and this cocktail fits right in with the winter white theme! (more…)
