Part 3 of 3
If you missed the first parts, start here.
Now the REST of the story...the dishes and recipes! Most of the recipes are pretty easy, so as not to overwhelm you during an already busy time of year. You also have the option of picking up a few of these from the store, if you simply don't have time to make something. Just be sure they are free of artificial colors, preservatives, or additives; MSG or yeast extract; carrageenan; GMOs; soy of any kind; vegetable, corn, canola, or cotton-seed oil; and organic, if possible. I hope the party goers will enjoy them and you get to win extra brownie points with your girlfriends for the health appeal!
A Dozen Healthy Dishes for Holiday Parties
1 Guacamole and organic corn chips
-Easy Guac recipe:
Mash 4 ripened avocados
Mix in: 1/2 cup diced tomatoes and 4 tablespoons red onion
You can stir in just a little olive oil to make it even creamier
2 Organic Salsa with organic corn chips (Check out my Sweet and Hearty Salsa.)
-To make a robust salsa in a pinch, combine:
2 containers of your favorite salsa
1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
1 can chicken breast, drained
1 chopped avocado
3 tablespoons of freshly chopped cilantro (or 1 teaspoon of ground coriander or cumin)
3 Hummus with celery, carrots, and bell peppers
-One of my favorites is this Roasted Red Pepper Hummus:
1 (15-ounce) can organic chickpeas/garbanzo beans (or make your own), drained and rinsed
1 clove garlic
3 tablespoons organic tahini paste
1 roasted red pepper, drained and patted dry
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1.5 teaspoons lemon zest
1/4 teaspoons hot sauce
2-4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Mix everything except last 3 ingredients in a blender until it makes a smooth puree.
Mix in the olive oil until it's smooth and creamy. You want it to be creamy when you serve it cold, so make it a little runnier when preparing it.
Add salt and pepper and adjust to taste.
4 Salad with grains, beans, and colorful vegetables (See my Quinoa Confetti Salad.)
5 Artichoke or Olive Tapenade with gluten-free crackers or organic corn chips
-(Sam's Club has a very healthy artichoke variety.)
6 My Cucumber Mint Salad
8 Granola Bites (Cut Leah's Loaded Granola Bars into bite-size pieces.)
9 Spicy Almonds from YumUniverse Cookbook, page 201
1 cup almonds
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 tablespoon Sucanat or coconut sugar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
pinch of cayenne pepper
-Mix and spread evenly on parchment-lined baking sheet with depth (not just flat), 7-10 min on 325 degrees F.
10 Lemon-Drop Energy Balls from Help Yourself To Seconds Cookbook, page 299
1 cup unroasted cashews
10 Medjool dates, pitted
1/4 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut
1 tablespoon coconut oil
rind of 1 lemon
1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened coconut, for rolling
Thoroughly grind cashews in food processor, then set aside.
Mix dates coconut, oil, lemon rind until dates are mashed.
Add cashews and juice and mix until a ball of dough starts forming.
Shape into ping-pong sized balls, then roll in shredded coconut.
11 And what about those pretty chocolate-covered fruits on display in the galaxy above? Well, that's easy too:
1 dark chocolate bar with highest percentage of cocoa available
1-2 tablespoons coconut oil, cold pressed, unrefined
10-15 pieces of organic fruit, washed and dried; chopped or sliced if desired
Prepare a double boiler or place a small pot inside a larger one with water in the bottom, so the smaller pot "floats" in the water over medium heat.
Add chocolate and oil to smaller pot and stir gently as it melts. Be careful not to get it too hot, or you'll ruin it and it won't be useable.
As soon as chocolate is melted and well mixed with coconut oil, start dipping the fruit pieces, either by holding the stems or to completely cover them, drop them in, one at a time, and retrieve them with a fork.
Place dipped pieces on parchment lined dish. Place dipped fruit in the freezer to set. Will take about 20 minutes and can then be stored in the fridge.
Need more recipes for your holiday parties? How about 84?! Then you'll want to get my Healthy Holiday Recipe Book Bundle now!
Most of the cookbooks I have on my Learning Tools page have great party recipes, including the two I've mentioned in this post!
Merry Christmas! ENJOY!
In Love & Service,
Coach Leah
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