Healthier Christmas Recipes

It is Christmas and while that normally means the season for feasting, why not cook up some Christmas cheer with these selectively chosen recipes that are healthier? We promise that even the pickiest eaters will love them!

Christmas Fruit Mince Pie

This recipe contains a whole lot of healthy ingredients such as organic dried fruits. Dried fruits are highly nutritional, one piece of dried fruits contain the same nutritional value as the fresh fruit but condensed in a smaller package. By weight, dried fruit contains up to 3.5 times the fibre, vitamins, and minerals of fresh fruit. Therefore, one serving can provide a large percentage of the daily recommended intake of many vitamins and minerals, such as folate. That said, dried fruits tend to contain more sugar by weight when compared to fresh fruit too so don’t pop too many of these pies in one seating!

Ingredients:

FOR THE CRUST

  • 2 cups almond meal
  • 1 cup tapioca flour
  • 1/4 cup butter melted (or coconut oil)
  • 2 eggs
  • 2 tablespoon of honey (or maple syrup)
  • Pinch of salt

FOR THE FRUIT MINCE

  • 325 g (11.4 oz.) mixed dried fruit (we used sultanas, raisins, cranberries, and currants)
  • 2 green apples diced
  • 3 cloves
  • 1 1/2 cups orange juice and zest of 1 orange
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon 100% vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

Method:

  1. Start with the fruit mince.
  2. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan over a low heat.
  3. Then, cover and let simmer for 30 minutes. Make sure you stir every now and again. The liquid should be absorbed and fruit dark and puffy.
  4. Set aside to cool.
  5. Now, to make the pastry, preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and grease muffin tray with oil. Use a regular muffin tray so this made deeper fruit mince pies.
  6. Start with the base. Whisk the eggs, butter and rice malt syrup together.
  7. Add the almond meal, cassava flour, and salt.
  8. Mix together until a dough forms.
  9. Then, place the dough into the fridge to harden a little. About 5-10 minutes.
  10. Split the pastry into 3 equal parts.
  11. 1/3 for the topping and 2/3 for the pie cases.
  12. Divide the 2/3 portion of pastry into 8 equal portions.
  13. Press 1 portion of pastry into each muffin cup, covering the base and all edges. It should be about 3 mm thick.
  14. Fill the pastry cases with the fruit mince.
  15. Now for the topping.
  16. Place the remaining 1/3 of pastry between 2 pieces of baking paper. Use a rolling pin (or a glass) to roll out the pastry.
  17. Cut cute little shapes or you could cut into strips for lattice, then place on top of the fruit.
  18. Bake for about 15 mins or until golden brown. Let them cool in the tray before removing. Now its ready to be served!

Magdalena Roze’s Broccoli Slaw

This healthy slaw is perfect for family and friends. For those who would like the minimalist and healthy recipe, it’s ideal for your Christmas gathering!

Ingredients:

  • 500g broccoli, florets shredded, stems cut into matchsticks
  • 150g white cabbage, shredded
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, cored, cut into matchsticks
  • 2 small spring onions, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup (100g) buckinis (activated buckwheat)
  • 1/4 cup (40g) blanched almonds, roasted, chopped
  • Flat-leaf parsley and mint leaves, to serve

DRESSING

  • 1 cup (250ml) buttermilk
  • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon white chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Method:

  1. For the dressing, place all ingredients in a large screw-top jar and shake until well combined. Set aside for at least 30 minutes for the chia seeds to gel.
  2. Place broccoli, cabbage, apple, onion and buckinis (learn how to make activated buckwheat here) in a large bowl. Pour over the dressing, season, and toss well to combine.
  3. Scatter almonds and sprinkle with parsley and mint to serve.

Paleo Gingerbread Cookies

 

Ingredients:

  • 300g almond meal
  • 1 tablespoon ground ginger
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon nutmeg
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder (gluten free)
  • ¼ cup coconut oil melted
  • 2 tablespoon raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon 100% vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • (spices can be adjusted to suit taste)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F).
  2. In a large bowl mix the almond meal, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, baking powder. Leave this for now.
  3. In a food processor, whiz the coconut oil, raw honey, vanilla extract + egg until combined.
  4. Add the dry ingredients to the food processor + whiz to form a dough (the mixture will be quite moist).
  5. Take out the mixture and knead a little to form a ball.
  6. Place the mixture between 2 pieces of baking paper + roll out to 3mm thick.
  7. Place this into the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
  8. Once refrigerated, cookie-cut into desired shapes (like gingerbread men, stars + Christmas trees!), place carefully onto a lined baking tray (you will need 2 trays).
  9. Place into the preheated oven and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown.
  10. Allow to cool and enjoy!

Gluten Free Christmas Fruit Cake

 

It is easy to make as not many ingredients are involved and you can find them all at your local supermarket. Those who don’t like Christmas Fruit Cake should try this as you will definitely fall in love with it. It is delicious and healthy at the same time!

Ingredients:

  • 200g sultanas
  • 200g raisins
  • 150g cranberries
  • 150g chopped dried apricots
  • 2 cups blanched almond meal
  • ¾ cup pecans chopped
  • 1/3 cup olive oil or macadamia oil
  • ½ cup fresh orange juice
  • zest of 1 orange
  • 3 eggs whisked
  • 1 teaspoon 100% vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Blanched almonds (optional for decorating)

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 160°C (320°F) and line a 20 cm (8 inch) round tin with baking paper.
  2. Mix the fruit, pecans, cinnamon, nutmeg and orange zest in a large bowl.
  3. Add the oil, whisked eggs, orange juice and vanilla, mix well.
  4. Finally, stir in the almond meal until combined.
  5. Spoon the mixture into the prepared tin and decorate with the blanched almonds
  6. Bake for 1½ hours or until a skewer comes out clean.
  7. Cover with baking paper for the last half hour of baking if the cake is browning too quickly.
  8. Cool completely before removing from the tin.

Macadamia and Cinnamon Cookies

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups blanched almond meal
  • 1 cup macadamia nuts chopped
  • ½ cup desiccated coconut
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • ½ cup butter melted or coconut oil
  • ¼ cup rice malt syrup
  • 1 teaspoon 100% vanilla extract

Method:

  1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F) and line 2 baking trays with baking paper.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, place the almond meal, macadamia nuts, coconut and cinnamon, mix until combined.
  3. In a small bowl, place the melted butter, syrup and vanilla, mix until smooth and combined.
  4. Add the butter mix to the dry ingredients and mix until a sticky cookie dough forms.
  5. With wet hands, roll a tablespoon full of dough and place evenly onto the baking trays.
  6. Flatten the cookies down with your palm and then smooth the edges with your fingertips.
  7. Place into the oven for 10 minutes, keep an eye on them as they burn quickly and ovens can differ.
  8. Allow to cool completely before enjoying or decorating with yummy things!

 


Recipes from:
https://themerrymakersisters.com/healthy-christmas-fruit-mince-pies/
https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/broccoli-slaw/wY7mxAVv

Paleo Gingerbread Cookies | give the gift of paleo christmas treats.

Healthy gluten free Christmas fruit cake recipe!

Easiest Healthy Cookie Recipe! Macadamia and Cinnamon Cookies

Photo Credits: The Merrymaker Sisters, Delicious and St. Christopher

 

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