Healthy Holiday Recipes for Guilt-Free Celebrations

The holiday season is often justification for overindulging. But there's no reason you can't eat healthily during the holidays. With just a few recipe tweaks, you can enjoy a few classics while watching your waistline.

We've put together a small collection of healthy holiday recipes for you to try. You may like them so much, they become part of your annual repertoire!

Orange-Cranberry Sauce

Cranberry sauce isn't a holiday side dish just for Thanksgiving! It goes with just about any holiday meal. Cranberries and oranges both contain vitamin C, and cranberries are rich in antioxidants. This cranberry sauce is naturally sweetened (no refined sugar), with a twist of orange flavor. It's just the right amount of sweet and tart to complement any savory main dish.

Ingredients

12 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries

½ cup water

¼ cup orange juice

¼ cup grade A maple syrup

1 teaspoon orange zest

Optional Ingredients

½ to 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon nutmeg

Instructions

1. Rinse the cranberries in a colander. Pick out any that aren't firm.

2. In a medium saucepan (you'll find the perfect one in our Saladmaster Master Set), combine the cranberries, water, orange juice and maple syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat.

3. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce thickens and the cranberries pop, about 10 minutes.

4. Remove the pot from heat. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the cranberries, if desired.

5. Add the orange zest and any of the optional ingredients you want to include. Stir.

6. Taste the sauce. If it's too tart, add a little more maple syrup and/or orange juice until it's sweetened to your liking.

7. Allow the sauce to cool in the pan. It will continue to thicken.

8. Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Mashed Sweet Potatoes

You may be familiar with sweet potato casserole that's often served during the holidays. But that recipe usually calls for quite a bit of added sugar in the form of brown sugar and possibly marshmallows. But sweet potatoes are exactly that—sweet—without any additional sugar needed. Sweet potatoes also contain beta carotene, potassium and vitamin B6, and are an excellent source of fiber. Try this healthy cooking option, and we think you'll never go back to brown sugar and marshmallows.

Ingredients

5 medium-sized sweet potatoes

water

2 tablespoons melted butter

½ cup milk

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 teaspoon pepper

Optional Ingredients

2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary

2 garlic cloves

1 teaspoon ground ginger

Instructions

1. Wash the sweet potatoes.

2. Place the potatoes in a steam basket. (You'll find one in our Saladmaster Executive Chef Set.) Place the basket in a deep sauce pan.

3. Add just enough water to the pan to reach about one inch from the bottom of the steam basket. Bring to a boil over high heat.

4. Cover the pot and reduce heat to medium. Steam potatoes for 30 to 35 minutes. Potatoes are done when you can easily pierce them with a paring knife.

5. Use tongs to remove the potatoes from the pot, and place on a cutting board to cool for 5 minutes.

6. Cut the potatoes in half lengthwise, scoop out the flesh, and place it into a large bowl.

7. Add the melted butter, milk, salt and pepper.

8. Add any of the optional ingredients, if desired.

9. Use a potato masher to mash the ingredients together. You can add a little more milk if needed to reach the desired consistency.

10. Serve immediately, with salt, pepper and butter, if desired.

Note: You can roast the potatoes for 60 minutes instead of steaming them. They're done when easily pierced with a paring knife. Also, if you prefer smoother mashed potatoes, use a food processor instead of a potato masher.

Balsamic Maple Brussels Sprouts

OK, we know what you're thinking. Brussels sprouts? Really? We promise, you'll feel differently about them once you've tried them cooked this way. Plus, they're packed full of nutrients such as potassium, fiber, protein and even calcium. Not to mention, pecans have more fiber than any other tree nut. You simply can't go wrong with this is a healthy holiday recipe.

Ingredients

4 cups Brussels sprouts

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 tablespoon grade A maple syrup

1 cup cranberries

½ cup pecans

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit (218 Celsius)

2. Cut the ends off the Brussels sprouts and split them lengthwise.

3. Toss them with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, reserving the other 2 tablespoons. You can either toss them in a bowl or right on the baking sheet.

4. Place the sprouts cut side down on a baking sheet so they don't overlap.

5. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes until just a little crispy around the edges. Remove from the oven.

6. Add the other 2 tablespoons of olive oil to a stainless steel pan (like the one you'll find in our Saladmaster Classic Set). Set it to medium heat.

7. Add the cranberries and pecans to the pan, stirring to coat with the oil. Saute for 1 minute.

8. Add the sprouts to the pan, stirring to combine with the cranberries and pecans. Saute for 3 minutes.

9. Add the balsamic vinegar, stirring to coat the mixture. Saute for 3 minutes.

10. Add the maple syrup, stirring to coat the mixture. Remove from heat.

11. Serve immediately.

Change Your Holiday Cooking. Change Your Life.

Now you know you can make healthy recipes, feel better and still enjoy the holidays. We think your friends and family will, too. And by choosing Saladmaster stainless steel cookware, you'll save time, cook more easily, and save money in the long run—which means more money for holiday gifts. And wouldn't a beautiful set of stainless steel cookware make a great gift? Locate a dealership to learn more.

And there's another way you can change your life—by becoming a Saladmaster Brand Ambassador. Find out how to start a business and share your love for high-quality, healthy cookware all year round.