When you’re making healthy changes to your eating habits, Christmas can seem like an overwhelming time of the year. Questions like: “How will I stay on track?” and “How do I eat well during the busyness?” are common from our clients.

There are many different ways you can tackle the silly season:

Whatever you choose, when it comes to Christmas day the best way to tackle it is to simply enjoy your day in a way that’s right for YOU!

If you love cooking and are keen to include some nourishment into your day, then we have the recipes for you! We’ve put together three Christmas Vegetable Sides that taste delicious and go perfectly with whatever you have planned for Christmas day lunch, whether it’s a traditional roast or Aussie BBQ.

Dukkha Potatoes

This recipe was inspired by one of our clients who shared who dukkha spiced potatoes in The Hub Client Support group on Facebook! What a perfect addition to Christmas dinner!

Ingredients (serves 4 – sides)

  • 500g potatoes, cubed, keep skin on
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp. crushed, flaked almonds
  • ½ tbsp. sesame seeds
  • 2 tsp cumin spice
  • Salt and pepper to season.

Method:

  • Cut the potatoes into 8 pieces and place into a large saucepan. Cover with water and with the lid on, bring to the boil and simmer until soft for about 10-12 minutes. Drain and toss until the majority of the moisture is gone.
  • In a bowl, toss the warm potatoes in the olive oil, almonds, sesame seeds and cumin. Evenly spread over an over tray, lined with baking paper.
  • Bake in a hot (220 degrees) oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden. Serve immediately.

Salted Maple Pumpkin

Ingredients (serves 4 – sides)

  • 500g jap pumpkin, sliced into 1 cm thick pieces, keep skin on (this is delicious and soft when roasted, plus full of fibre and nutrients)
  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • ½ tsp rock salt
  • 1 tsp cumin spice
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 40g crushed walnuts
  • 40g crumbled low fat feta cheese

Method

  • Line a baking tray with baking paper. Place the sliced pumpkin evenly across the tray.
  • Combine the olive oil, maple syrup, rock salt, cumin spice in a small bowl. With a pastry brush, evenly coat each slice of pumpkin.
  • Place into a hot (220 degree) oven for 25-30 minutes until soft. Transfer into a heat proof bowl and sprinkle with walnuts and fetta. Serve immediately.

Garlic Asparagus and Char-grilledTomatoes

Ingredients (serves 4)

  • 1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 2 bunches asparagus
  • 1 punnet cherry tomatoes
  • salt & pepper

Method

  • In a large bowl, toss the asparagus and tomatoes in the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a char grill over high heat. Add the tomatoes and asparagus. Leave for 1-2 minutes until slightly blackened and then toss for a further minute.
  • Add the garlic and toss for another minute. Remove from the heat and serve immediately

 

This recipe is proudly sponsored by Alpha Fresh Foods.