Quick, Easy and Healthy Holiday Recipes

As you rush around this holiday season, it is so easy to just stop and get fast food while you are out. That moment of weakness can affect your pocketbook and your waistline! Plan ahead for the week and buy all the ingredients you need for one of these quick dinner recipes. When you finally get back to your West Hollywood apartment from shopping or working long hours, you can warm up some healthy leftovers or prepare one of these quick and easy recipes.

Photo by: Tammy Green

Beef Stroganoff Recipe

• 1 lb top round steak
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
• ¾ tsp salt
• ½ tsp dried dill
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 – 8 oz pkg sliced mushrooms
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 – 8 oz container low-fat sour cream
• 4 cups hot cooked medium egg noodles (about 8 ounces uncooked)

Cut steak diagonally across grain into ¼ inch thick slices, place steak and next 8 ingredients in a 3-quart slow cooker, stir well.

Wisk flour and beef broth together in a bowl until blended well, add to mixture in slow cooker, stir well. Cover and cook on high for 1 hour then reduce to low-heat for 7 – 8 hours. Remove lid, turn off, and wait 10 minutes. Stir in sour cream. Serve over cooked noodles. Makes 4 servings.

Photo by: mj ecker

White Bean Chicken Chili Recipe

• 2 Tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 cups chicken broth
• ¼ cup lime juice
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 tsp hot sauce
• 1 ½ lbs cooked and shredded chicken
• 2 Tbsp cornmeal
• 2 15 oz cans cannelloni beans or other white beans, rinsed and drained
• 8 oz low fat sour cream
• fresh avocado sliced

Heat oil in a large pot, sauté chopped onions and minced garlic. Add chicken broth, hot sauce, lime juice and salt. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

Drain the beans and rinse in cold water. Take half of the beans and mash them up, add mashed beans, whole beans and corn meal to the broth. Mix well and simmer for 15 minutes with the lid off. Add shredded chicken and simmer for another five minutes or until it thickens, stirring frequently.

Top each serving with a spoonful of low-fat sour cream and serve with sliced avocado.

Photo by: Robyn Lee

Chicken and Pineapple Salad Recipe

• 2 cups romaine lettuce
• ½ cup fresh pineapple tidbits
• 1 boneless chicken breast
• spray olive oil
• McCormick Cajun seasoning
• 2 oz slivered almonds
• South Beach Balsamic Salad Dressing

For one serving, spray olive oil in nonstick fry pan, sprinkle McCormick seasoning on chicken breast and grill in frying pan until cooked.

In a large bowl or plate put romaine lettuce and pineapple tidbits (mandarin oranges are good too). Slice cooked chicken into strips and add to salad. Add almonds and dressing. *Hint: Cook more than one chicken breast and keep the extra in your refrigerator for that super quick healthy meal when you are really in a hurry.

Check out EatingWell.com for more quick and easy recipes, and enjoy the holiday season without ruining your diet or emptying your wallet with greasy fast food.

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