Thanksgiving is a time to enjoy favorite foods but consider this year giving a few of your favorites an upgrade!
Here are four examples to take your cooking from high-calorie & processed to leaner, more natural fare.
Before: Processed Spreadable Cheese (1T): 50 calories, 2g saturated fat
Upgrade: Au Natural Spreadable Roasted Garlic (1T): 10 calories, 0g saturated fat
Benefit: Five times fewer calories and no artery clogging fat
Recipe: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Cut 1/2 inch off top of garlic bulbs, drizzle each with 1/2 teaspoon oil, salt & pepper and wrap in foil. Roast garlic for 45 minutes, until tender. Push garlic cloves out of bulb into a serving bowl and lightly mash. Spread on baguettes/crackers.
Before: Canned Cranberry Sauce (1/4 cup): 110 cals, 21g sugar, 0% vitamin C
Upgrade: Scratch Cranberry Sauce (1/4 cup): 50 cals, 11g sugar, 25% vitamin C
Benefit: Half the calories, half the sugar, 25% of your daily vitamin C
Recipe: In medium pot, stir together 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries, zest of 2 oranges, juice of two oranges, 1/4 cup water and 3 tablespoons honey. Bring ingredients to boil, turn down heat and simmer/stir for about eight minutes, until cranberries have burst and sauce thickens. Refrigerate for up to three days.
Before: Canned Green Bean Casserole (1 c.): 200 calories, 5g saturated fat
Upgrade: Fresh Roasted Fall Vegetables (1 c.): 100 calories, 0g saturated fat
Benefit: Half the calories, no artery clogging fat
Recipe: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Toss three cups halved Brussels sprouts, two cups green beans, two cups sliced carrots, one cup sliced red onion, two tablespoons olive oil, salt & pepper. Roast on baking sheet for 45 minutes until golden.
Before: Mashed Potatoes w/whole milk & butter (1 c.): 250 calories, 5g saturated fat
Upgrade: Smashed Potatoes (1 c.): 150 calories, 0g saturated fat
Benefit: 100 less calories, no artery clogging saturated fat
Recipe: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Boil small potatoes until tender and drain. Place on baking sheet misted with cooking spray. Smash potatoes with hand (using towel if hot). Sprinkle potatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and dried rosemary. Bake for 30 minutes until golden.
