Holiday Recipes III - Kale Cranberry Yuletide Salad!

Need a lighter meal this week?  Here's a festive, healthy salad to enjoy for a break between heavier meals this holiday season.  I've modified from the original recipe, to give less calories but even more flavor!


Ingredients:

1 bunch of kale (about 6 cups)

¼ cup slivered or crushed toasted almonds

½ cup dried cranberries

¼ cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

¼ cup breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

1 clove garlic

salt and pepper

DIRECTIONS:

1.  Remove the tough inner ribs on the kale, slice into ribbons and place in a large bowl.

2.  Smash the garlic with the back of a knife, add a sprinkle of salt and crush the garlic until a smooth paste forms.  Add the vinegar and lemon juice to the garlic and then slowly whisk in the olive oil.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3.  To dress the salad, pour the dressing over the kale and using your fingers work the dressing into the leaves making sure that everything is well coated.  Add the cranberries, parmesan, almonds and ¾ of the breadcrumbs to the mixture and toss to combine.  Garnish the salad with the remaining breadcrumbs when you are ready to serve.  

Makes 4 servings.  Per serving (approximately):

• 200 calories
• 25g carbs
• 9g protein
• 10g fat

Thanks to my best friend Deb for the heads' up on this great recipe!

Follow me on twitter: @drsuepedersen

www.drsue.ca © 2013

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Holiday Recipes II - Dr Sue's Dessert Collection

As the second of my three-part series of holiday recipes, I've brought together a collection of the top 5 DrSue holiday desserts that I've gathered over the years on my website.   Enjoy!

Baked Pears with Walnuts & Cranberries  - throw a little arugula under this one and it doubles as a salad!

Holiday Pumpkin Pancakes - a Christmas morning crowd pleaser

Chocolate Espresso Brownies (pictured above) - can't beat this, at only 115 calories each!

Crustless Pumpkin Pie - skipping the crust on your pie brings this recipe down to a slim 65 calories per slice!

Blueberry Crisp Yuletide Dessert - a healthy version of a traditional favorite!

Follow me on twitter: @drsuepedersen

www.drsue.ca © 2013

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Holiday Appy - Cheesy Stuffed Mushrooms!

Searching for a healthy appetizer to dazzle guests this holiday season?  Try out these delicious stuffed mushrooms - for once, I have not needed to 'doctor' this recipe - it is fabulous as is!  At around only 20-25 calories per mushroom (yes, you read that right), you really can't beat it.   The original recipe can be found here - but you can use any brand of cottage cheese, of course. :)


INGREDIENTS:

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not oil packed)       
1 cup low fat Cottage Cheese      
1/4 cup chopped chives        
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil       
1/8 teaspoon salt        
1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper       
16 medium to large button mushrooms, stems removed  
3 tablespoons fresh whole wheat bread crumbs


Directions: 

Place the sun-dried tomatoes in a glass measuring cup. Pour 1 cup of boiling water over the tomatoes; soak for 5 minutes or until softened. Drain the tomatoes. Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking pan with cooking spray. In a medium bowl, stir together the drained tomatoes, the cottage cheese, chives, basil, salt and pepper. Place the mushrooms, stem-side down, on a baking pan; spray with cooking spray. Turn the mushrooms back stem-side up. Spoon a scant tablespoon of filling into each mushroom cap. Top each with about 1/2 teaspoon of bread crumbs. Bake the mushrooms for 10 minutes or until the bread crumbs are toasted and the mushrooms are heated through. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

Tip: 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley can be substituted for the basil. 

Follow me on twitter: @drsuepedersen

www.drsue.ca © 2013

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