The countdown to Christmas is on! It's 'partridge in a pear tree' day, I'm finished up with Christmas baking and trying to get my house clean in preparation for being out of commission for a couple days after my gallbladder removal. Since I'm baking for Christmas presents I've been making lots of things that I dare not eat myself, like shortbread, ganache truffles and date squares, but while the surplus of treats around Christmas time may make us feel like we can't eat anything, Christmas dinner can be a surprisingly low-fat friendly meal. At very least, a full meal can be prepared for you with very little adaptation to the original menu.
Start with the turkey. Skinless turkey breast is a wonderful meat, with more flavor than chicken typically has and a certain festive feel in every bite. Lots can be done with turkey, from ground turkey meatballs to stuffed and rolled turkey breasts, and every dish tastes special-occasion-worthy, thanks to the tendancy many of us have to only eat turkey on holidays.
Cranberry sauce is fat-free and the perfect fix for sometimes-dry white meat.
Every aunt in the family is charged with bringing "a vegetable" to Christmas dinner. Often all it takes is asking someone to leave you a couple of scoops of veggies in a bowl before they put the butter on top. And with so much variety, it might be a nice change for you to step away from the same-old veggies you have at home every night. Honey glazed carrots, Sweet potato with brown sugar and marshmallow on top, and even hot peas are very seasonal, fat-free delights, if you side step the butter.
Mashed potatoes are usually loaded with fat thanks to the butter and the milk (or even cream) that most people mash into them. You can make your own, low-fat version with skim milk and roasted garlic, or fat-free sour cream or yogurt and onion powder.
Do yourself a favor and avoid the gravy.
Stuffing is, again, typically loaded with fat since the vegetables are often cooked in butter before mixing with the bread crumbs, but an alternative stuffing recipe using quinoa, chicken broth and dried cranberries could be easily whipped up (just check which spices your family's stuffing recipe uses and make sure you throw those in to help emulate the traditional dish for you. My family uses savory and occassionally thyme if you need any ideas!)
If you are responsible for bringing something to Christmas dinner, sign up for either buns or a dessert. Crusty buns and baguettes are often fat-free, while their softer counterparts are less-so. And for dessert, Angel Food Cake is a wonderful treat that everyone can enjoy with strawberry sauce on top.
Fat-Free Eggnog varieties can be found, but if you can't track one down, try cutting lite Eggnog with skim milk - the flavor is so strong you'll be able to taste a small amount in a lot of milk.
Over the next few days I'll try to do Christmas dinner themed recipe, starting with today's original recipe: Quinoa Stuffing
1 1/2 c. quinoa (rinsed)
3 c. chicken broth + 2 tbsp
2 shallots, diced
2 stalks of celery, diced
1 tsp savory (1/2 tsp ground savory)
1 tsp thyme
1/2 c. dried cranberries
2 whole grain crusty buns, torn into small pieces
In a medium sauce pan, bring quinoa and 3 c. chicken broth to a boil. Turn down heat to medium and add shallots, celery, savory and thyme. After 5 minutes, add cranberries. Allow to cook until liquid has been absorbed. Place crusty bun pieces into a large bowl. Add quinoa mixture and remaining 2 tbsp of broth, and toss until bun pieces are moistened. Stuff in turkey, or bake in separate casserole dish.
Mrs. VanderLeek
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