How to Make both Delicious and Healthy Christmas Meal?

Breakfast (Brunch)

• Bowl of mixed berries and granola with low-fat yoghurt
• Fresh or poached apples, pears or peaches with whole wheat or buckwheat pancakes, or waffles with low-fat vanilla yogurt.
• Sauteed mushrooms, cherry tomatoes or asparagus with whole wheat toast.
• A toasted bagel or slices of sandwich breads with scrambled eggs, low-fat cream cheese, smoked salmon and fresh vegetables.
• Vegetable frittatas made in pan or muffin tins.
• Fresh fruit and/or vegetable salad with citrus yoghurt and toasted nuts.
• Muesli topped with fresh blueberries, raspberries, cherries or any your favorite fruit.

Supper

Green salad with smoked salmon, hard-boiled egg, cold potato slices, semi-dried tomatoes, capers and green beans; dress with balsamic vinegar and good olive oil

• Sliced ham on the bone with seeded mustard, whole grain bread, avocado, tomato slices, fresh mixed greens and red onion.
• Greek salad that is made of cucumber, feta, tomato, olives and olive oil.
• Roast vegetable salad made from leftover roast vegetables, feta or goat cheese, cooked green beans and toasted nuts.
• Bruschetta topped with arugula or other greens, pear or apple slices, cheddar cheese and toasted nuts.

Main Course

• Roast turkey, beef fillet, lamb or pork (one is sufficient – too much choice often confuses the enjoyment)
• Whole baked salmon – stuff with lemon slices, dill and almonds and bake in foil in the oven; serve with a bowl of low fat sour cream mixed with horseradish.
• Seafood and fish – grilled or baked (keep these simple to enjoy their delicate flavours)

Side dishes

• Roast vegetables; drizzle with honey or maple syrup and balsamic vinegar, good olive oil.
• Roast vegetable salad – potato, pumpkin, kumara, sweet potatoes, parsnip, beets, onions can all be roasted ahead, then cut up and dressed to make a salad; toasted pumpkin seeds or other nuts make a delicious garnish.

Sweets and Dessert

Pavlova or meringue crushed and mixed with lemon yoghurt, blueberries and walnuts and served in individual glass bowls

• Mango jelly garnished with fresh raspberries, strawberries and blueberries
• Ice cream Christmas pudding made by mixing brandy-soaked dried fruit in softened light ice cream and then freezing in a pudding bowl

Snacks

• Bowls of roasted nuts, dried fruits and dark chocolate pieces
• Chocolate-covered fruits, such as strawberries, cherries, and melons – mix of milk chocolate and dark chocolate with fresh fruits.
• Smoked salmon fillet with crackers or bread slices, low-fat or nonfat cream cheese, lemon slices and fresh dill
• Hummus or salsa with pita bread, ** tortilla chips and vegetable sticks.
• Monkey Bread filled with a mixture of ricotta cheese, feta, spinach, basil and chopped sun-dried tomato
• Mini cracker-sticks topped with low-fat or nonfat cream cheese, smoked salmon slices, olives and capers