Healthy Dishes to Bring to the Holiday Dinner

It can especially hard to stick to a diet when you’re surrounded by unhealthy treats during the holiday season. The best way to find a healthier alternative to the Christmas cookies? Bring your own healthier option. Below are some of our favorite winter sides, appetizers, and desserts… with a healthy twist.

If You’re Asked to Bring an Appetizer

String Cheese Snowman Caprese Salad from Arts & Crackers

Ingredients:

Toothpicks

Mozzarella string cheese

Grape tomatoes (multi-color packs are best!)

Black and orange edible ink markers
Click here for directions to make these snowmen.

Winter Beet Hummus from Well and Full

Ingredients:

1 medium red beet

3 cloves of whole garlic

Drizzle of extra virgin olive oil

1 15 oz. can of chickpeas

Juice from ½ lemon

¼ tsp salt

¼ tsp pepper

½ tsp fresh rosemary

2 tbs extra virgin olive oil

2 tbs water

Fresh rosemary

Sliced almonds

Click here for directions to make this hummus.

If You’re Asked to Bring a Side

Pear, Pomegranate and Spinach Salad from Cooking Classy

Ingredients:

For the salad:

⅔ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted

¾ cup pomegranate arils

3 oz feta cheese, crumbled

½ cup dried cranberries

2 Bartlett pears (firm but ripe), cored and sliced)

9 oz baby spinach

For the dressing:

¼ cup apple cider vinegar

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tbsp honey

1 tsp dijon mustard

Salt and pepper, to taste

Click here for directions to make this salad.

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Squash with Dried Cranberries and Dijon Vinaigrette from A Beautiful Plate

Ingredients:

1 lb butternut squash, peeled and cut into ¾-inch chunks

1 lb brussels sprouts, stems trimmed and sliced lengthwise in half

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil + 1 teaspoon

¾ teaspoon kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

¼ cup dried unsweetened cranberries

For the dressing:

2 teaspoons dijon mustard

1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 pinches of kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Click here for directions to make this dish.

If You’re Asked to Bring a Dessert

Baked Pears with Honey, Cranberries and Pecans from This Gal Cooks

Ingredients:

4 pears, such as bosc, bartlett or anjou

24 fresh cranberries

4 tbsps chopped pecans

¼ tsp ground cinnamon, plus more if needed

¼ ts ground nutmeg, plus more if needed.

4 tsp raw honey

Greek yogurt for pairing, if desired.

Click here for directions to make this dessert.

Vegan Peppermint Mocha Fudge from Wholesomelicious

Ingredients:

2.5 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

½ cup full fat canned coconut milk

1 tbsp instant coffee granules

4 drops peppermint oil or ½ tsp peppermint extract

1-4 tbsp maple syrup

1 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste

Click here for directions to make this dessert.