Did you bite of a bit more than you can chew this holiday season? Don’t worry, we’ve been there. Between work parties, family activities, our daily commitments and sleep (which we’re getting way less of recently), there’s little time left for planning a dinner party, let alone prepping and hosting one.
We’ve got you covered with our tried and true, healthy(er) last minute holiday recipes. Whether you’re in need of a simple side or an entire meal, our stomach-friendly fare is easy to make and delicious.
Last-Minute Holiday Recipes
Appetizer
One of the best ways to stretch a holiday meal, in our experience, is to not have guests come to it too hungry. What’s the best way to do this? With quick, easy appetizers or finger foods before the main event, of course! But if you’re preparing a meal for a group of friends or family, securing the time for an appetizer might not be an option. In these situations, we turn to dips. Whether your serve them with chips, veggies, crackers or some other form of food shovel, dips are endlessly customizable and can be made in almost any volume. Our favorites are our guacamole, our spinach dip and our buffalo cheese dip, all made with Lifeway Kefir or Lifeway Farmer Cheese.
Side Dish
Inexpensive, nutritious and abundant this time of year, potatoes are as versatile as they are recognizable at the dinner table. Potatoes are unfairly shunned at many health conscious tables, but it’s not the spud itself that needs a makeover; it’s how it’s prepared. Our Lifeway Potato Salad uses Lifeway Kefir (whole milk or original) in place of mayonnaise and includes fresh veggies and herbs for a side dish that tastes as good as it is for you.
Main Dish
Healthy comfort food is hard to come by, but our Penne with Vegetables and Kefir Tomato Sauce certainly hits the spot, without busting our belts. For more protein, steamed or grilled chicken is great, as is pan-seared tofu or tempeh crumbles. Adding additional vegetables will also stretch the recipe, allowing it to serve more people more often.
Dessert
Nothing says “happy holidays” like a delicious dessert. In the Lifeway kitchen, we’re consistently working on ways to “healthify” our indulgences while satisfying our collective sweet tooth. We’ve been enjoying our Cranberry Crème Brûlée Mousse, made with our seasonal Lifeway Cranberry Crème Brûlée kefir. If you’re looking for something even lighter, a nice cold glass of Lifeway Eggnog kefir, sprinkled with crushed graham crackers, is definitely the way to go.
Bonus: Baked Goods
When it comes to baked goods, go for something that serves double duty, like our Lifeway Pumpkin Kefir Bread. It’s sweet enough to be served as a light dessert (warm, along with some Lifeway Frozen Kefir or jam), it’s also great as part of a slightly indulgent breakfast. For a more dense loaf, cut some of the sugar and add nuts and seeds to your taste.