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Fast & Easy is the Name of Our Holiday Game
by Alice Osborne
As the year winds down, we are running out of steam, yet we’re still facing one or two more gatherings and holiday festivities. That in mind, we thought you’d like some time-saving, easy-to-prepare recipes you might want to incorporate into any holiday or special day gatherings still lingering on your calendar:
10-Minute Fresh Berry Dessert with Yogurt & Chocolate
Serves 2
 This 10 minute dessert combines our favorite flavors in a quick and easy way that is rich tasting, yet healthier than many desserts. The chocolate is a great complement to berries and yogurt. It is perfect for those moments when you want to enjoy this wonderful combination of flavors.
1 basket fresh strawberries or raspberries
8oz low fat vanilla yogurt
2 oz melted dark chocolate
Fold together yogurt and berries. Melt chocolate in a double boiler with heat on medium. Place berries and yogurt in individual bowls and drizzle with melted chocolate.
For a more formal presentation you may want to pour a pool of yogurt on a plate and place berries on top of pool. Drizzle chocolate over berries.
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10-Minute Fig & Fresh Apple Cobbler
Serves 2
 2 small apples
1/4 tsp lemon juice
1 TBS apple juice
4 dried figs (or fresh when in season)
4 TBS chopped almonds
1/2 tsp lemon zest*
1/4 tsp cinnamon
pinch of cloves
pinch of allspice
2 tsp honey
Cut apples into quarters. Cut out core and slice fruit into 1/4-inch thick slices. Turn apples and cut across slices for diced apples. In a mixing bowl, toss with lemon and apple juice. Cut the stem off of the figs. Cut figs into quarters and chop to produce pieces 1/4-inch or less. Add to the apples. Add the remaining ingredients and toss until well combined. For best nutrition, eat immediately. If you prefer it chilled, cover well and place in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.
*Use organic lemon for zest, if possible.
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2-Minute Healthy Steamed Butternut Squash
Serves 2
 2 cups butternut squash
3 TBS extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
sea salt and pepper to taste
Fill the bottom of the steamer with 2 inches of water. While steam is building up in steamer, peel and cut butternut squash into 1-inch cubes. Steam covered for 7 minutes. Squash is done when it is tender, yet still firm enough to hold its shape. Transfer to a bowl. For more flavor toss squash with the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper while it is still hot. Research shows that carotenoids in foods are best absorbed when consumed with oils.
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15-Minute Shrimp & Avocado Salad
Serves 4
 1 lb cooked medium sized shrimp (buy still frozen if possible for freshness)remove tails
1 medium sized tomato, seeded and chopped
3 scallion chopped
1 large clove garlic, pressed
2 TBS fresh lemon juice
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
1 large firm avocado cut into 1/2 inch cubes
1 TBS chopped cilantro
1 TBS chopped fresh mint
2 TBS chopped pumpkin seeds
salt & pepper to taste
pinch red pepper flakes
extra virgin olive oil to taste
1 head small romaine lettuce, outer leaves removed
Make sure shrimp is completely unfrozen, if you buy it already cooked, and patted dry with paper towels. Assemble all ingredients with shrimp in a bowl except lettuce and mix. For optimum flavor, marinate in refrigerator for 15 minutes or more. It is still very good served right away if you don't have the time. Serve on bed of chopped romaine lettuce.
Healthy Cooking Tips:
Buying shrimp that is still frozen will ensure that it will be as fresh as possible. Because all shrimp comes frozen in stores once they have thawed they lose their freshness very quickly. This recipe was created to be very quick and easy, so cooked shrimp is already added to the ingredient list. If you have the time, obviously it would have better flavor if the shrimp was raw and you cooked it yourself. It is very important either way to make sure the shrimp is patted dry. Otherwise it will dilute the flavor of your salad. Also, it is important that your avocado is ripe, yet still somewhat firm. If it is mushy, your salad will have an unattractive appearance.
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15-Minute Stir Fried Chicken & Bok Choy
Serves 4
 2 TBS low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 cup chopped scallion
2 TBS fresh minced ginger
2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces
1½ cups sliced fresh shiitake mushrooms
4 cups chopped bok choy
2 TBS soy sauce
1 TBS rice vinegar
salt and white pepper to taste
pinch of red pepper flakes
Heat broth in a stainless steel wok or skillet. When broth begins to steam add scallions and Healthy Stir Fry for 2 minutes. Add ginger and continue to stir-fry for another minute. Add chicken and continue to stir. After about 2-3 minutes add shiitake mushrooms and bok choy. Continue to stir fry for another 3-4 minutes and add soy sauce, rice vinegar, salt and pepper.
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Information Courtesy The World’s Healthiest Foods
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