Healthy Holiday Recipe Ideas

During the holiday season, there are many opportunities to cook your favorite traditional recipes or try out some new ones. Delish.com features an array of delicious holiday recipes that also make health a priority. Below are a few holiday recipes from a Delish.com article inspired by MyPlate, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s food guide

Sweet Potato Shepherd’s Pie

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ pounds sweet potatoes
• ½ cup water
• ½ cup low-fat milk
• Salt
• Pepper
• 1 tablespoon and 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 large onion
• 1 bunch collard greens
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 pound lean ground turkey
• 2 teaspoons salt-free Cajun seasoning
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
2. In a large microwave-safe bowl, combine sweet potatoes and ¼ cup water. Cover with vented plastic wrap and microwave on high for 15 minutes or until tender. When cool enough to handle, discard peels. In a large bowl, mash potatoes with milk and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, in a 12-inch skillet, heat one tablespoon oil on medium-high. Add onion and cook five minutes or until browned. Add collard greens and 1/8 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook one minute or until just wilted. Transfer to a medium bowl.
4. In the same skillet, heat the remaining teaspoon of oil. Add garlic and cook 15 seconds. Add turkey and ¼ teaspoon salt. Cook three minutes or until browned, breaking meat into small pieces and stirring. Reduce heat to medium and add Cajun seasoning. Cook one minute while stirring. Add tomato paste and ¼ cup water. Cook two minutes while stirring.
5. In an eight-by-eight shallow baking dish, spread half of the mashed sweet potatoes. Top with turkey mixture and then collard greens mixture. Spread remaining sweet potato mixture on top. Bake 30 minutes or until golden on top. Garnish with parsley.

Sesame-Ginger Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 3 small shallots
• 1 pound fresh green beans
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Meanwhile, in a small pan over medium-high heat, heat vegetable oil. Add shallots and fry, stirring occasionally with a wooden spoon until golden brown (about 12 to 15 minutes). Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
2. Meanwhile, on a rimmed baking sheet, toss green beans with olive oil, sesame oil, ginger and salt to coat. Roast beans until tender but still green (about five to eight minutes).
3. Transfer beans to a serving dish and toss with sesame seeds. Top with reserved shallots.

Click here for Delish.com’s full article of MyPlate recipes.