You don’t have to be a trained chef to pull off a holiday gathering. “These dishes harness superfoods like kale, quinoa, and sweet potatoes, and are seasoned with herbs and spices to bring out that holiday warmth,” notes Jennifer Iserloh, author of 50 Shades of Kale and a health coach who developed these recipes. The carb-moderate, high-protein meals are quick and easy to prepare, so you can spend more time celebrating.Recipes by Jennifer Iserloh Photographs by Moya McAllister Food styling by Dana Bonagura
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Moya McAllister
Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Stuffing
If you love the flavor of stuffing but not all the bread that comes with it, here’s the answer. To save time, purchase pre-washed Brussels sprouts that are already cut in half. You can also stuff inside a holiday turkey or place it underneath roasted chicken.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
2. Fast Herb-roasted Chicken
Roasted chicken is perfect any time of the year, but it’s especially nice around the holidays—particularly if you don’t have a lot of prep time. To speed the process, try butterflying (or spatchcocking) your bird: It will still be moist with half the cooking time.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
Baked Sweet Potatoes With Goji Berry–Almond Topping
This clean version of marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes subs in goji berries (a tangy dried exotic fruit rich in antioxidants) for that touch of sweetness without any empty calories. If you can’t find goji berries, use dried cranberries.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
Spinach Feta Gratin
To save time, mix raw ingredients before guests arrive, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate. Remove wrap and bake when you are ready.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
Baked Lemon-caper Parmesan Scallops
Serving seafood during the winter holidays is an Italian tradition that’s also healthy. These scallops are ready in less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and are super-easy to prepare—so it’s an ideal recipe for seafood newbies and anyone looking for a mild flavor.Scallops have a mild, sweet flavor that makes them a perfect dish for those who may typically shy away from seafood.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
Roasted Rosemary Pork With Chopped-cranberry Chutney
Lean pork roast can be a great filling, muscle-building main course. The key to keeping it juicy? Bring your roast to room temperature on the counter for one hour before cooking.Click here for the full recipe.
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Moya McAllister
Pancetta Roasted Kale
Pancetta is a smoked pork product that you can find already diced and packaged in the cheese aisle of your local grocer or in your favorite Italian deli. Any variety of kale will work for this recipe—just remove the tougher stems before cooking. Serve up a variety of vegetables as side dishes to keep your holiday celebration clean and low in carbs.Click here for the full recipe.
You don’t have to be a trained chef to pull off a holiday gathering. “These dishes harness superfoods like kale, quinoa, and sweet potatoes, and are seasoned with herbs and spices to bring out that holiday warmth,” notes Jennifer Iserloh, author of 50 Shades of Kale and a health coach who developed these recipes. The carb-moderate, high-protein meals are quick and easy to prepare, so you can spend more time celebrating.
Recipes by Jennifer Iserloh Photographs by Moya McAllister Food styling by Dana Bonagura
Brussels Sprouts Quinoa Stuffing
If you love the flavor of stuffing but not all the bread that comes with it, here’s the answer. To save time, purchase pre-washed Brussels sprouts that are already cut in half. You can also stuff inside a holiday turkey or place it underneath roasted chicken.
Roasted chicken is perfect any time of the year, but it’s especially nice around the holidays—particularly if you don’t have a lot of prep time. To speed the process, try butterflying (or spatchcocking) your bird: It will still be moist with half the cooking time.
Baked Sweet Potatoes With Goji Berry–Almond Topping
This clean version of marshmallow-topped sweet potatoes subs in goji berries (a tangy dried exotic fruit rich in antioxidants) for that touch of sweetness without any empty calories. If you can’t find goji berries, use dried cranberries.
Serving seafood during the winter holidays is an Italian tradition that’s also healthy. These scallops are ready in less than 10 minutes from start to finish, and are super-easy to prepare—so it’s an ideal recipe for seafood newbies and anyone looking for a mild flavor.
Scallops have a mild, sweet flavor that makes them a perfect dish for those who may typically shy away from seafood.
Roasted Rosemary Pork With Chopped-cranberry Chutney
Lean pork roast can be a great filling, muscle-building main course. The key to keeping it juicy? Bring your roast to room temperature on the counter for one hour before cooking.
Pancetta is a smoked pork product that you can find already diced and packaged in the cheese aisle of your local grocer or in your favorite Italian deli. Any variety of kale will work for this recipe—just remove the tougher stems before cooking. Serve up a variety of vegetables as side dishes to keep your holiday celebration clean and low in carbs.
