Healthy Holiday Recipe Ideas

Appetizer: Fiesta Dip

1/2 cup cucumbers
1 cup nonfat sour cream
1/2 cup sweet red peppers
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon fresh cilantro
Squeeze excess moisture from the cucumbers; place them in a small bowl.
Stir in the sour cream, peppers, garlic, and cilantro.
Chill until needed.
Serve with pita bread, pita chips, whole grain crackers, or whole grain tortilla chips.

Side Dish: Butternut Squash Casserole

1 medium butternut squash
2 clove garlic
1 small onion
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper
3 tablespoon Parmesan cheese
Preheat oven to350°F.
Cut squash in half lengthwise and remove seeds.
On a rimmed cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil, place squash with the rind facing up.
Bake for 45-60 minutes, until very soft.
Let cool for 5 minutes and scoop out the insides, being careful not to include the outer skin.
Place the squash in a casserole dish.
Sauté garlic and onion in the olive oil, and mix into the squash.
Stir in bread crumbs, pepper and salt.
Sprinkle cheese on top and cover the dish with foil or a lid.
Bake at 350°F for 10 minutes (or longer if ingredients have cooled).
Serves 6 .

Dessert: Cranberry-Oatmeal Cookies

3 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 cup unbleached all-purpose flour
2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup butter
1 cup brown sugar
2 – eggs or 4 egg whites
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 cup dried cherries (non-sugar coated)
Preheat the oven to 350°F.
In a medium bowl, combine the oats, flour, cinnamon, cardamom, baking soda, and salt.
In a large bowl, with an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter, brown sugar for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Beat in the eggs and almond extract.
Beat in the oat mixture, a little at a time, until well-blended.
Stir in the cranberries.
Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls about 2" apart onto ungreased baking sheets.
Bake for 10 minutes, or until golden brown.
Cool on a rack for 2 minutes.

YUMMY, ENJOY! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!