Festivities always cause a dilemma in terms of what to eat, what to avoid and how much to eat. It’s often hard to resist good food. But if you have health goals to adhere to and are looking for something nutritious, we’ve got you covered! Here are 4 healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year that you can try. They are easy to cook, delicious and absolutely healthy!

Let’s get started!

4 Healthy Recipes For Christmas & New Year

1. Gourmet Almond Eyes (Almond Cookies)

Whether it’s for someone you love, your granny or your family and friends, these nutritious almond, jam-filled cookie bites will show your loved ones how much you care about them and their health.

Ingredients (For about 40 cookies)

• 1/4 organic lemon
• 200g (8 oz) all-purpose flour
• 150g (6 oz) butter
• 100g (4 oz) sugar
• 1/2 pack vanilla sugar
• 1 egg
• 100g (4 oz) ground almonds
• 175g (7 oz) jam

Method:

1. Grate the lemon rind. Knead it with flour, butter, sugar, vanilla sugar, egg and almonds to form a smooth dough.
2. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas 4). Roll out the dough thinly in portions between two sheets of grease-proof paper. Cut out the biscuits. Cut out holes in the center of half of them. Bake on a baking tray lined with grease-proof paper for about 12 minutes.
3. After they cool off, spread jam (e.g. strawberry jam) on those without holes. Place the biscuits with the holes on top. Optionally, sprinkle with icing sugar.

Facts:
Preparation: 45 minutes
Baking: 12 minutes
Calories per cookie: 60 kcal

2. Christmas Apple Cake

Eating an apple a day in winter provides many benefits for our health. The yellowish flesh in apples is rich in bioflavonoids, especially carotenoids. These pigments are antioxidants that can help protect you against cancer and other diseases by reducing the cellular damage caused when the body burns oxygen. The antioxidant in apples, which includes Vitamin A, Vitamin C and beta-carotene can help prevent cancer, including oral cancer.

Apple also aid weight loss – they are low in calorie fruit, making them perfect for people who want to lose weight. They contain fewer calories with no saturated fat, and the fiber in apples suppress hunger.

If you are wondering what to make this Christmas or for your New Year’s Eve party, here is a recipe for Apple Cake that is moist, yummy and comes with a rich, sweet butter sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 medium tart apples, peeled and grated.
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cream
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 egg

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, put cream, butter and sugar and then beat in an egg and vanilla.
2. Combine the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, salt and nutmeg. Gradually add to the creamed mixture.
3. Stir in apples and walnuts. Pour into a greased 8-inch square baking dish.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
5. Meanwhile, in a saucepan, melt butter. Stir in sugars and cream.
6. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly.
7. Reduce heat and let it simmer, uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve over warm cake.

3. Chicken and Bell Pepper Tomato Chilli Stir Fry

Ingredients: 

• 2 Chicken breast
• Salt and pepper (as per taste)
• All-purpose flour (for coating)
• 1 Red chili pepper
• 2 teaspoon Vegetable oil
• 1 tablespoon Vinegar
• 2 tablespoon Sweet chilli sauce
• 2 tablespoon Ketchup
• Bell peppers

Methods: 

1. Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Coat the chicken in flour.
2. Heat a frying pan with vegetable oil, add the red chilli pepper and fry the chicken until golden.
3. Add vinegar and steam the chicken.
4. Chop the bell peppers into 2 cm pieces, add to the frying pan and fry.
5. Season with the sweet chilli sauce and ketchup.

Benefits of Chicken: Chicken is a great low-fat source of protein and the B Vitamin niacin. Protein is essential for maintaining muscle mass and is commonly included in weight-loss diets.

4. Christmas Baked Brown Rice Pudding

Rice pudding is for those who love homemade comfort food!

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups milk
• 3 beaten eggs
• 1/3 cups raisins
• 1 cup uncooked brown rice
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Method:

1. Place uncooked rice in a 3-quart saucepan, and add water. Bring to a boil.
2. Reduce heat and simmer for 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
4. In a large bowl, combine beaten eggs, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well.
5. Stir in rice and raisins.
6. Pour into a baking dish. Bake uncovered for 30 minutes. Stir the pudding and sprinkle with nutmeg.
7. Bake for an additional 30 minutes or until a knife inserted halfway between the edge and the center comes out clean.
8. Enjoy your warm pudding.

Benefits of brown rice:

• Lowers the risk of developing diabetes
• High in fiber
• Good source of magnesium and selenium
• Prevents weight gain
• Lower cholesterol
• Offers cardiovascular benefits
• Reduces the risk of childhood asthma
• Promotes bone health

And that’s all! Do try these healthy recipes for Christmas and New Year’s and share your pictures with us on social media by tagging GOQii. Let us know your thoughts in the comments below. For more healthy recipes, check out Healthy Reads or ask a GOQii Coach by subscribing for Personalised Health Coaching here.

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