Festive foods for holiday feasts."Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, he is Christ the Lord This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying, "Glory to God "Glory to God" is a Christmas carol popular among American and Canadian Reformed churches that have Dutch roots. It is translated from the Dutch "Ere Zij God" and is one of the most beloved carols sung in the Protestant churches in the Netherlands. in the highest and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests" (Luke 2:11-14) Do you ever stop to wonder at the depth and breadth of the praise directed heavenward around this time of year? I do. Across the land homes wear festive decorations Churches blossom with poinsettias. The scent of evergreens ills a thousand family rooms Merchants decorate their stores with favorite symbols of the season. As Christmas approaches, we send beautiful cards to our mends and give gifts to those we love. We sing carols and wonder at the words. No other historical events are so remembered or memorialized. With deepest gratitude we give thanks and then celebrate the Baby found in swaddling clothes swaddling clothes in which Mary wraps her new-born infant. [N.T.: Luke 2:7] See : Nativity who offered His life that we might live forever. Kitchens, too, take on a significant role during the holiday season. Each culture, each family, has their special traditional dishes that must be served for family feasts. Hours and hours are spent preparing those wonderful foods. Likewise, much time is spent at the family table consuming these sumptuous treats as we remember the joy of the season with our dear ones. However, the holidays often become a time of overindulgence o·ver·in·dulge v. o·ver·in·dulged, o·ver·in·dulg·ing, o·ver·in·dulg·es v.tr. 1. To indulge (a desire, craving, or habit) to excess: overindulging a fondness for chocolate. , thus adding to the national epidemic of excess weight. May I suggest that "just a taste" of these wonderful seasonal foods be sufficient? Remember, in 11 short months they'll be served again! We don't need to gorge ourselves. Instead, why not enjoy each mouthful? Give your taste buds taste buds taste npl → Geschmacksknospen pl sufficient time to register the full flavor of what you're eating. Once swallowed, the taste of the food is gone. Savoring each mouthful might result in eating less and adding fewer calories and pounds to your holidays. Let food serve as the backdrop of the festive atmosphere as you enjoy each aroma, color, and artful art·ful adj. 1. Exhibiting art or skill: "The furniture is an artful blend of antiques and reproductions" Michael W. Robbins. 2. presentation. Remember, its the people sitting next to you who are the true gifts of the season. Share stories of the year's blessings. Recount your family heritage. Spark conversations that enlighten, entertain, and endear en·dear tr.v. en·deared, en·dear·ing, en·dears To make beloved or very sympathetic: a couple whose kindness endeared them to friends. . The following holiday menus include foods with that health-enhancing vegetarian twist. I've included several recipes from each. Try them ... in moderation of course. Savor the flavor, the aroma, the color as you celebrate. RICE PILAF 2 T. olive oil 3/4 cup minced onion 3/4 cup minced celery 3/4 cup mushrooms, chopped 4 1/4 cups cooked wild or brown rice 1 cup dried diced fruit medley 3/4 cup slivered blanched almonds 1 t. salt Saute onion, celery, and mushrooms oil over low heat until tender. Combine all ingredients and place in a large casserole. Bake in a 350[degrees]F oven or 30 minutes. Serves 8. Per serving: calories: 250; protein: 5 grams; carbohydrate: 38 grams; fat: 9 grams; cholesterol: 0 milligrams; fiber: 5 grams. DRIED-FRUIT SCONES 2 cups unsifted all-purpose flour 2 T. sugar 1 T. baking powder 1 t. salt 1/4 cup dried cranberries (craisins) 1/4 cup dried apricots, diced 1/4 cup oil 1/2 cup sour cream, fat-free (soy-based sour cream) 1/4 cup nonfat milk (soymilk) 1 egg, slightly beaten Preheat oven to 425[degrees]F. In a mixing bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Add remaining ingredients; stir only until dough clings together. Knead knead tr.v. knead·ed, knead·ing, kneads 1. To mix and work into a uniform mass, as by folding, pressing, and stretching with the hands: kneading dough. 2. on lightly floured surface 12 to 15 times. Divide dough in half. Form each half into a 6-inch circle. Brush with milk; sprinkle with sugar. Cut circle into 6 wedges. Place, 2 inches apart, on a lightly greased baking sheet baking sheet n. A flat rectangular metal pan, often with at least one rolled-up edge, used for baking. . Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned Serve hot with margarine and/or jam. Yields 12 scones. Per scone Scone (sk  n), village, Perth and Kinross, central Scotland. Old Scone, west of the modern village of New Scone, was the repository of the Coronation Stone (see under coronation) and the : calories: 160; protein: 3 grams; carbohydrate: 22 grams; fat: 7
grams; cholesterol: 18 milligrams; fiber: 1 gram.
FESTIVE TART 1 whole-wheat double-crust pie recipe, rolled, pricked, and baked on a pizza pan 2 cups fruit juice or fresh fruit processed in a blender 1/4 cup sugar (or to taste) 2 T. cornstarch Choose a variety of ripe fresh fruit; 3 or 4 different kinds is best (apricot, banana, blueberry blueberry, plant of the large genus Vaccinium, widely distributed shrubs (occasionally small trees) of the family Ericaceae (heath family), usually found on acid soil. They are often confused with the related huckleberry. , grape, nectarine nectarine (nĕk'tərēn`), name for a tree (Prunus persica var. nectarina) of the family Rosaceae (rose family) and for its fruit, a smooth-skinned variety of the peach. , orange, peach, pear, pineapple, plum, raspberry, strawberry) Cool pie shell. Slice banana in 1/4-inch slices and arrange around edge of crust. Next, create a row of berries followed by a row of thickly sliced nectarines. Fill the center with another seasonal fruit. Mix 1/4-cup sugar and 2 T. cornstarch cornstarch, material made by pulverizing the ground, dried residue of corn grains after preparatory soaking and the removal of the embryo and the outer covering. It is used as laundry starch, in sizing paper, in making adhesives, and in cooking. . Blend into 2 cups fruit juice. Adjust sugar to taste. Cook until thick and clear, stirring constantly. (This may be cooked in a microwave; stir every minute until thick and clear.) Pour over fruit. Chill at least 2 hours. Slice in wedges and serve with whipped cream. Serves 8. Per serving: calories: 340; protein: 4 grams; carbohydrate: 4 grams; fat: 18 grams; cholesterol: 0 milligrams; fiber: 3 grams. VEGETABLE QUICHE 1 lb. Tofu, drained 1/2 cup soymilk 2 T. flour 1/4 t. dried basil 1/4 t. onion powder 1/4 t. garlic powder 1/2 t. salt 1 cup chopped tomatoes 1 cup chopped mushrooms 1 cup steamed broccoli or spinach 1/2 cup chopped onion Blend the first 6 ingredients in a blender. Pour into a bowl. Fold in the vegetables. Pour into a vegetable oil-sprayed casserole dish or a whole-wheat piecrust. Bake at 350[degrees]F for 1 hour. Let cool for 10 minutes to set before cutting. Serves 8. Per serving: calories 106; protein: 10 grams; carbohydrate: 7 grams; fat: 5 grams; cholesterol: 0.25 milligrams; fiber: 1 gram. CHICKEN PUFFS 1/2 cup margarine 1 cup water 1/8 t. salt 1 cup flour 4 eggs Filling: 3 cups Vibrant Life ground chicken-flavored meat alternative 1/2 cup mayonnaise, fat-free 1/2 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup finely chopped green onion tops 1/3 cup diced dill pickle 1/8 t. garlic powder For puffs: Bring the margarine, water, and salt to a boil in a saucepan Reduce heat and add flour. Remove from heat and beat in eggs, one at a time. Drop by spoonfuls (walnut sized) on a buttered cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 400[degrees]F Reduce heat to 300[degrees]F and bake until golden brown (15-20 minutes). Cool and split. Fill with chicken puff filling. For filling: Mix all ingredients. Fill puffs just before serving Yields 60-70 small puffs. Per puff: calories: 40; protein: 2 grams; carbohydrate: 1.5 grams; fat: 3 grams; cholesterol: 14 milligrams; fiber: 0.2 grams. PUMPKIN CAKE SQUARES 2 slightly beaten eggs 1 30-ounce can pumpkin pie mix 2/3 cup nonfat evaporated milk 1 cup chopped walnuts or pecans 1 yellow cake mix 1/2 cup melted margarine Combine eggs, pumpkin pie pumpkin pie traditional dish, especially at Thanksgiving. [Am. Culture: Flexner, 68] See : America mix, and evaporated milk; mix thoroughly. Pour mixture into a 9" x 13" pan. Add nuts to cake mix; blend. Sprinkle dry mixture over pumpkin mixture; spread evenly. Drizzle margarine evenly over dry cake mixture. Bake at 350[degrees] for 1 hour. Cool 30 minutes. Servo warm. Yields 20 squares. Per square: calories: 308; protein: 5 grams; carbohydrate: 38 grams; fat: 16 grams; cholesterol: 22 milligrams; fiber: 0.3 grams. HOLIDAY EGGNOG 3 cups orange juice 1/2 cup soymilk powder 1/2 cup water 2 cups fresh nonfat milk (soymilk) 1 t. vanilla 1/4 cup sugar Blend all ingredients in a blender. Serve chilled. Serves 6. Per serving: calories: 130; protein: 5 grams; carbohydrate: 25 grams; fat: 1 gram; cholesterol: 1 milligram milligram /mil·li·gram/ (mg) (mil´i-gram) one thousandth (10-3) of a gram. mil·li·gram n. Abbr. mg A metric unit of mass equal to one thousandth (10-3) of a gram. ; fiber: 1 gram. CHICKEN AND DRESSING 2 8-slice packages of Vibrant Life Chicken 2 T. margarine 1/2 cup chopped celery 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms 1 onion, diced 1/4 cup margarine 1/2 cup water 1/2 teaspoon McKay's chicken seasoning 1 6-oz. bag seasoned stuffing mix 1/2 cup chopped walnuts Vegetable pan-coating spray Thaw frozen chicken. Heat 2 t. margarine in a fry pan fry pan n. Chiefly Eastern, Southern, & Western U.S. See frying pan. See Regional Note at frying pan. . Saute celery, mushrooms, and onions until tender. Melt remaining margarine in water; add McKay's seasoning. In a bowl, combine vegetables, broth, stuffing mix, and walnuts. Separate chicken circles; cut in half. Prepare a 9" x 13" pan with coating spray. Spoon stuffing mixture onto each half round of sliced chicken; place in a casserole with flat edge down and round edge up. Continue to stand chicken slice with dressing in casserole. Bake at 350[degrees]F for 35 minutes or until heated through. Serve hot with cranberry relish and/or gravy. Serves 8. Per two half rounds with dressing: calories: 250; protein: 10 grams; carbohydrate: 19 grams; fat: 15 grams; cholesterol: 026 milligrams; fiber: 1.5 grams. CRANBERRY RELISH 1 lb. cranberries 2 oranges 1 apple 1 1/2 cup sugar 1/8 t. salt Wash and drain cranberries. Wash apple, oranges; quarter and remove seeds, but do not peel. Put cranberries, apple, and oranges in food processor until small pieces. Add sugar and salt. Stir well. Let stand in refrigerator overnight. Serve with entrees. Yields 4 cups. Per 2-tablespoon serving: calories: 40; protein: 0.08 grams; carbohydrate: 11 grams; fat: 0.03 grams; cholesterol: milligrams; fiber: 0.3 grams. REFRIGERATOR ROLLS 1 t. dry yeast 1/4 cup lukewarm water 1/2 cup evaporated milk 1/2 cup hot water 2 well-beaten eggs 1/4 cup sugar 1 t. salt 2 t. oil 4 cups all-purpose flour In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add evaporated milk, water, eggs, sugar, salt, and oil. Mix well. Add flour gradually to make a soft dough. Knead well. Cover and let rise until double in size. Punch down. Pull off walnut-sized ball of dough; turn under rough edges to form smooth ball. Place three balls a pawnbroker's sign or shop. See also: Ball per cup in an oiled muffin tin A muffin tin is a pan in which muffins or cupcakes are baked. A single cup within a regular muffin tin is 3 and 1/2 ounces and most often has room for 12 muffins, although tins holding 6, 8, 11, 24, and 35 muffins do exist. . Brush with oil. Let rise until double in bulk. (Dough may be made a day ahead, refrigerated re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. , and formed into balls the day of the event.) Allow time to rise after forming. Bake at 400[degrees]F for 20 minutes. Yields 24 rolls. Per roll: calories: 104; protein: 3 grams; carbohydrate.. 18 grams; fat: 2 grams; cholesterol: 18 milligrams; fiber: 0.6 grams. WAISAL 1 qt. apple juice 1 qt. cranberry juice 1 6-oz. can frozen orange juice 1 1/2 cups water 1/4 t. allspice 1/8 t. cardamom 1/8 t. coriander Tie allspice allspice: see pimento. allspice Tropical evergreen tree (Pimenta dioica) of the myrtle family, native to the West Indies and Central America and valued for its berries, the source of a highly aromatic spice. , cardamom cardamom (kär`dəməm): see ginger. cardamom Spice consisting of whole or ground dried fruit, or seeds, of Elettaria cardamomum, a perennial herb of the ginger family. , and coriander coriander (kōr'ēăn`dər), strong-smelling Old World annual herb (Coriandrum sativum) of the family Umbelliferae (parsley family), cultivated for its fruits. in cloth. Mix juices; add spices. Let stand 12 hours. Remove cloth with spices. Serve hot. Serves 16 with 5-oz. servings. Per serving: calories: 83; protein: 0.3 grams; carbohydrate: 21 grams; fat: 0.1 grams; cholesterol: 0 milligrams; fiber: 0.2 grams. Georgia Hodgkin, Ed D., R.D., F.A.D.A., writes from Loma Linda University Founded in 1905, Loma Linda University (LLU) is a private, Christian, coeducational, health sciences university located in Southern California 60 miles east of Los Angeles close to San Bernardino and near beaches, mountains, and the desert. , where she serves on the faculty of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics dietetics /di·e·tet·ics/ (-iks) the science of diet and nutrition. di·e·tet·ics n. The branch of therapeutics concerned with the practical application of diet in relation to health and disease. , School of Allied Health Professions, Lorna Linda, California Linda is a census-designated place (CDP) in Yuba County, California, United States. The population was 13,474 at the 2000 census. Geography Linda is located at (39.125181, -121.563006)GR1. . Georgia's HOLIDAY-TESTED TIPS FOR STRESS-FREE FESTIVE FEASTS Week before event: Determine food budget Develop guest list Write menu with grocery list Try any new recipes Retrieve seasonal china, crystal, serving pieces from storage Polish silver Day before event: Purchase foods on grocery list Press linens; place on table(s) Arrange centerpiece and table decorations Set table the night before; arrange chairs Prepare recipes that need to marinate mar·i·nate v. mar·i·nat·ed, mar·i·nat·ing, mar·i·nates v.tr. To soak (meat, for example) in a marinade. v.intr. To become marinated. or can be done a day ahead Day of event: Prepare remaining recipes Add finishing touches finishing touches finish npl the finishing touches → der letzte Schliff finishing touches npl → ultimi ritocchi mpl to table(s) |
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