With the Christmas holidays drawing near, the anticipation of eating, drinking, and being merry is escalating. Merriment does not mean forgetting to eat healthy and moderately, and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) attests to that.
The Food and Nutrition Service of the USDA has made open to the public a list of healthy recipes that are tasty yet quick and easy to prepare and are perfect for the Christmas season celebrations.
Herbed Vegetables (makes 6 servings)
Ingredients:
16 ounce of canned or frozen vegetables (any combination of your favorite veggies green, red, potatoes, carrots, corn, pepper, etc.)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1 tablespoon of garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, basil or rosemary (crushed)
1 Tablespoon margarine or butter
Instructions:
1. Drain vegetables, saving 2 Tablespoons liquid.
2. Cook onion, herbs, and garlic in the margarine/butter in a small saucepan until onion is tender.
3. Stir in the vegetables and liquid.
4. Cook and stir until heated through.
Mango Salsa (makes 4 servings)
Ingredients:
1 mango
½ small red onion, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
¼ teaspoon salt, juice of 1 lime
Preparation:
1. Cut the mango in half around the large pit. Remove pit.
2. Use a knife to cut a criss‐cross pattern through the fruit, but not the skin.
3. Press the skin so the cubes pop out. Cut mango cubes off the skin.
4. Chop mango cubes into smaller pieces.
5. Place in a medium bowl and stir in onion, cilantro, salt and lime juice.
6. Serve with baked tortilla chips, baked chicken or fish.
Preparation time: 10 minutes. Serve with baked taco chips or place on top of broiled fish or chicken during last 5 minutes of cooking.
Avocado Dip
Ingredients:
2 medium ripe avocados
1 tablespoon lemon juice
¼ cup salsa
1/8 teaspoon salt
Preparation:
Peel and chop avocados. Toss avocado with lemon juice in small bowl. Add salsa and salt. Mash with a fork. Cover and store in the refrigerator. Makes 12 servings.