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HEALTHY RECIPES COLLECTIONS


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Healthy Christmas Recipes, Menus and Planner

Christmas_recipes

 

It often happens when hosting a holiday get-together that you spend more time getting the feast on the table and cleaning up than actually spending time with your loved ones—which is the whole reason you hosted Christmas anyway, right?

Well, this year Christmas can be different but just as tasty thanks to a few simple menus along with plenty of make-ahead dishes to maximize your time spent with your family and friends and minimize your time in the kitchen. Two of our menus even have planners outlining what to make ahead when and what to do Christmas day. We’ve also included a few other of our favorite menus (including one for brunch and one for Christmas Eve) to enjoy with your family before and after the gifts come. And don’t forget to leave Santa some of our award-winning cookies this year!

Healthy Christmas Main Dishes | Sides, Salads, Etc. | Desserts | Menus

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Make-Ahead Menu Planner

Use this planner for our Easy Entertaining Christmas Dinner Menu (below) You won’t miss your chance to catch up with friends and family during the holidays with this easy, make-ahead dinner celebration.

Up to 2 weeks ahead:

  • Make the pecans.

Up to 2 days ahead:

  • Prepare beef stew through Step 8.
  • Toast pistachios for the farro.
  • Make compote.

Up to 1 day ahead:

  • Make salad dressing (Step 1).
  • Wash greens for the salad, wrap in a clean kitchen towel and refrigerate.
  • Make hard-boiled eggs.
  • Prepare beans through Step 1.
  • Prepare cake through Step 4; cool and store tightly wrapped in plastic.

2 hours before serving:

  • Make farro.

30 minutes before serving:

  • Reheat the stew on the stovetop.
  • Finish the beans (Steps 2-3).

Just before serving:

  • Reheat the farro.
  • Toss the salad and grate eggs on top.
  • Finish the stew (Step 9).

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Wine Pairings by
Andrea Robinson

Healthy Side Recipes for Thanksgiving

Serve Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006 ($12) with the salad and spiced pecans—one of the best-value Sauvignon Blancs, period. Lots of juicy fruit and a lovely herbal hint that's fantastic with the dried herbs in the pecans, and the bitter greens of the salad.

The rich meatiness of the stew and the earthiness of the mushrooms and farro call for an earthy, sophisticated Pinot Noir. Lynmar Russian River Valley Pinot Noir 2005 ($36) is redolent of pomegranate and fresh-brewed tea, with a tender texture that complements the meltingly tender beef.

End the meal with a pairing that is utterly unique and delicious—Madeira, the classic Portuguese fortified wine. Broadbent 10 Year Old Malmsey Madeira ($40) has toffee, burnt orange and browned butter notes that will really shine with the olive oil cake.

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Healthy Christmas Main Dish Recipes

Healthy Christmas Sides, Salads, Etc. Recipes

Healthy Christmas Dessert Recipes

Healthy Christmas Menus

Easy Entertaining Christmas Dinner Menu
Mississippi Spiced Pecans
Bold Winter Greens Salad
Slow-Cooked Provençal Beef Stew
Farro with Pistachios & Herbs
Green & Yellow Beans with Wild Mushrooms
Citrus Ginger Cake with Spiced Orange Compote

Bonus: Easy Entertaining Christmas Dinner Menu Planner and Wine Pairings

More Healthy Christmas Menus

Classic Christmas
A Vegetarian Christmas
Quick Christmas Eve Dinner
Christmas Morning Menu

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Back to Christmas at FoodNetwork.com »

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