HAVE A HEALTHY HOLIDAY!
You don’t have to gain 10 pounds over the holiday! There’s another option!! I’ve compiled a series of healthy holiday dishes that are NOT short on flavor or creativity! ENJOY & SHARE!!
Want more Holiday Healthy options?? (click here)
- 2⁄3 cup dry rye berries (or farro or barley)
- 2⁄3 cup dry wild rice
- 4 cups + 3 Tbsp. low-sodium organic chicken (or vegetable) broth
- 1⁄3 cup dried cherries
- ¾ cup boiling water
- 4 tsp. olive oil
- ½ cup chopped celery (approx. 1 large stalk)
- ¼ cup chopped shallots (approx. 2 medium shallots)
- 2⁄3 cup ¼-inch cubes butternut squash, peeled
- 4 fresh sage leaves, finely chopped
- 4 tsp. apple brandy (preferably Calvados) (optional)
- 1⁄3 cup fresh orange juice (juice of 1 small orange)
- 2 tsp. finely grated orange peel (orange zest)
- ¾ tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup sliced raw almonds
- Preheat oven to 375º F.
- Lightly coat 3-quart casserole dish with spray. Set aside.
- Combine rye berries, wild rice, and broth in large saucepan. Bring to a boil
- over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low; gently boil, covered, for 50 to 55 minutes, or until rice and rye berries are tender-crisp.
- While grains are cooking, combine cherries and boiling water in a medium bowl; soak for 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add celery and shallots; cook, stirring frequently, for 5 minutes.
- Add squash, cook, stirring frequently, for 4 minutes, or until squash is
- tender-crisp.
- Add sage; cook, stirring frequently, for about 3 minutes.
- Add brandy (if desired); cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until liquid has almost completely evaporated.
- Add orange juice, orange peel, cherries, nutmeg, salt, and pepper; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Add contents of skillet and water to saucepan of cooked grains; mix well.
- Remove from heat.
- Place stuffing in prepared casserole dish. Top with almonds. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until almonds are golden brown.
- If using this recipe for Whole-Grain Stuffed Turkey, use 1½ cups of Whole-Grain Stuffing to fill the turkey.
- Rye berries can be found at health food markets or online.
- This recipe can be vegan if you substitute vegetable broth for chicken broth.
- If using grains other than rye berries, make sure to check their packaging for cooking times.
I’m Nicole Twyman, a native New Orleanian, who has lived all across the US! Although, my small family of 4 currently calls Los Angeles, CA home. I am a proud 40+ year old mom of a wonderfully energetic and theatrical daughter, and a handsome, scholarly athlete!
While I have worked in corporate America as a certified senior project / program / portfolio manager for Fortune 500 companies like Microsoft, Procter & Gamble & IBM, my passion is service. It has always been my desire to live a life of service to others; which I took every opportunity to explore as an active member of many of my church’s ministries and of my public service sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc.
Well, now I am over the top excited to have the opportunity to serve divas through my very own ministry, Fit, Fyne & Fabulous.
