Christmas/Holiday Dinner

AllAboutThatPace
AllAboutThatPace Posts: 151 Member
edited November 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
This is the first year we aren't hosting Christmas Eve. Normally, I cook a HUGE dinner and both my husband and my family comes over. It's normally 20 people at least. My husband started a new job this summer and is currently living in Orlando. He comes to visit on weekends off.

We are going to do our Christmas Eve on Friday, Dec. 27. We don't have anything major planned, because he won't be home until 7:30pm, but we will do our normal Christmas breakfast on Sat and I plan on cooking a "Christmas Eve" dinner on Saturday night, just for the 4 of us and maybe my in-laws. Any suggestions on what are some healthy ideas for that dinner? Normally, we do a ham and I may still, but am open to something different. We normally do side dished like mashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese and broccoli casserole. I am looking for healthier options or maybe healthier versions of those. Thanks for suggestions!

Replies

  • williams969
    williams969 Posts: 2,528 Member
    Where ya at? Is there room for me? Lol! Seriously, those these sound good, just eat smaller portions. Ham (depending on what you get) is relatively lean meat. Or do a turkey, or a pork loin, or .... you get the picture, whatever meat you like. If you want something lower calorie, serve some lovely steamed or roasted veggies (or roasted brussels sprouts, delish if you like them), too, and fill half your plate with those things, and the other half with the indulgent items.
  • AllAboutThatPace
    AllAboutThatPace Posts: 151 Member
    Sure, come on! I am in Northern Florida!

    I think I just wanted to do something different, since this Christmas will be a little different. My kids will tear up the mac and cheese! So I will probably still make that. I have never had brussel sprouts! :(
  • CindyB97
    CindyB97 Posts: 146 Member
    You didn't mention sweet potato casserole (which is yummy but loaded with calories), but in case you wanted a substitute: lately I have been cutting sweet potatoes lengthwise, brush with a little olive oil, place face-down on a cookie sheet and bake for about 25-30 minutes, then take them out and sprinkle the top with freshly grated parmesan and any other hard cheese you might have, then you put them back in the oven on broil for a couple minutes to carmelize the cheese.

    The meat is not the problem and really neither are the sides, in moderation. Make one or two healthy substitutes, but don't compromise on your family's absolute favorites. Above all, have fun and enjoy the holiday. :-)
  • AllAboutThatPace
    AllAboutThatPace Posts: 151 Member
    I just made sweet potato fries for the first time about a month ago. Hands down, one of my new favorite things! :) Thanks for the suggestions.
  • jlgrebe
    jlgrebe Posts: 30 Member
    This year for Thanksgiving I did roasted potatoes instead of mashed potatoes (my version of mashed potatoes involves heavy cream and cream cheese...soo.....). I just quartered some red skin potatoes, tossed in a LITTLE olive oil with a mix of herbs, baked at 400 for 15 minutes on a cookie sheet. : )
  • 4bettermenow
    4bettermenow Posts: 166 Member
    Brussels sprouts cut in quarters, sprinkled with a bit of olive oil, garlic & onion powder and a smidge of salt. spread on cookie sheet and roasted in oven till just turning brown. So so yummy. You can even make a dipping sauce if you like, though I like them plain. The kids may like them with dipping sauce.

    Mashed potatoes with laughing cow cheese and half and half are great.


  • obscuremusicreference
    obscuremusicreference Posts: 1,320 Member
    I'm a big fan of cold salads when I'm cooking the whole spread. I know you'll probably be eating black-eyes January first, but I do a salad with those, some crunchy veggies, and hot peppers/pepper sauce, tossed with a little red or white wine vinegar and olive oil. I also do green beans or squash or succotash. You can still do the goodies for your family--it's all about plating.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories