FRIDAY FARE: Healthy Holiday Recipes

It's Christmas Eve!!!!! I hope your preparations are going well. I've been busy getting everything ready, and so the posts for this week are kind of crazy. I posted Kathy's Thursday Thoughts yesterday, and today, I'm going to post Friday Fare - some healthy recipes you might want to take to your Christmas parties! These are simple, pretty, and yummy. Oh, and healthy, too! Wow!

Winter Fruit Salad

This recipes comes from the About.com Low Fat Cooking site. The picture comes from the Food Network. (They've added kiwi to their for even more pretty color).

"This colorful fruit salad makes a beautiful addition to the holiday table. Serve as a light dessert or as a palate cleanser between courses."

Ingredients:

• 2 Blood Oranges
• 2 Navel Oranges
• 1 Pink Grapefruit
• 1 Yellow Grapefruit
• 2 Star Fruit
• 1 Pomegranate

Preparation:

Using a sharp knife, peel and segment oranges and grapefruit. Remove pith, pips and membranes. De-seed pomegranate and slice star fruit. Arrange citrus segments in a bowl with the star fruit and gently mix together. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Serves 6

Spiced Apple Cider

This recipes comes from www.health.com. I bet this would make your house smell divine!

Ingredients:

• Lemon rind strips (from 1 lemon)
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 gallon apple cider
• 2 tablespoons light brown sugar
• 20 whole cloves
• 5 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks, halved
• 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup Calvados (apple brandy) or applejack (such as Laird's)
• Additional cinnamon sticks (optional)

Preparation:

1. Bring first 8 ingredients to a boil in a large Dutch oven. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes.

2. Pour mixture through a sieve over a large bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids. Stir in brandy. Serve in mugs; garnish with additional cinnamon sticks, if desired.

Sugared Cranberries

I found this recipe on www.cookinglight.com. I thought it looked light a yummy snack...

"Because of the contrast between the tart cranberries and sugary coating, the flavor of this snack pops in your mouth."

Ingredients:

• 2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 cups water
• 2 cups fresh cranberries
• 3/4 cup superfine sugar

Preparation:

1. Combine granulated sugar and water in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring mixture until sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer; remove from heat. (Do not boil or the cranberries may pop when added.) Stir in cranberries; pour mixture into a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 8 hours or overnight.
2. Drain cranberries in a colander over a bowl, reserving steeping liquid, if desired. Place superfine sugar in a shallow dish. Add the cranberries, rolling to coat with sugar. Spread sugared cranberries in a single layer on a baking sheet; let stand at room temperature 1 hour or until dry.
3. Note: The steeping liquid clings to the berries and helps the sugar adhere. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.

That's it for Friday Fare this week. I hope your Christmas is WONDERFUL! We'll see you back here in Monday.

-Kara