Healthy Holidays

A hectic end of semester schedule didn't allow me the pleasure of writing up posts, but now on break, I AM BACK =) and just in time to share some comforting holiday food recipes that will leave you feeling happy and healthy. Hope you all enjoy!

Citrus Ginger Cake with Spiced Orange Compote

 Ingredients (10 servings)

• 1/2 cup honey
• 1/4 cup mild-flavored extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 large eggs
• 2 tablespoons freshly grated orange or lemon zest
• 1/3 cup fresh orange or lemon juice
• 5 tablespoons chopped crystallized ginger
• 1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons confectioners' sugar
• Spiced Orange Compote (recipe provided in link)

Nutrition per serving: 280 calories, 7 g fat (1 g sat, 5 g mono), 42 mg cholesterol, 52 g carbohydrates, 4 g protein, 3 g fiber, 175 mg sodium, 189 mg potassium.


Preparation Link:
Recipe

Spiced Pecans

 Ingredients (4 cups)

• 1 pound pecan halves
• 1 tablespoon packed dark brown sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• Pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Nutrition per serving (2 tablespoons): 107 calories, 11 g fat (1 g sat , 6 g mono), 0 mg cholesterol, 2 g carbohydrates, 1 g protein, 1 g fiber, 53 mg sodium, 58 mg potassium.

Preparation Link:
Recipe

Mini Mushroom and Sausage Quiches

Ingredients (10 servings)

• 8 ounces turkey breakfast sausage
• 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms
• 1/4 cup sliced scallions
• 1/4 cup shredded Swiss cheese
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 5 eggs
• 3 egg whites
• 1 cup 1% milk

Nutrition per serving: calories 90, total fat 5 g (saturated 2 g), cholesterol 105 mg, sodium 217 mg, total carbohydrates 3 g, sugars 0 g, protein 9 g.

Preparation Link:				Recipe
Wine-Poached Pears  Ingredients (8 servings) 1 bottle (750 ml) Shiraz or red Zinfandel wine 2 cups water 1 cup sugar 4 star anise 8 medium Bosc pears with stems Nutrition per serving: calories 190, total fat 1 g (saturated fat 0 g), cholesterol 0 g, sodium 10 g, carbohydrates 46 g, fiber 6 g, protein 1 g.  Preparation Link: Recipe