Three Holiday Favorite Recipes

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Holiday Favorite Recipes

Three Holiday Favorite Recipes

Looking for some new recipes to try this holiday season? Here are three of our family’s favorite holiday recipes. Each one adapts easily to accommodate gluten and dairy allergies. Of course, you can substitute with butter, milk, and regular flour with excellent results. No adjustment is needed to the measurements if using regular ingredients. 

We usually have our main Christmas meal on Christmas Eve. This makes for a more relaxing Christmas day that isn’t spent cooking. This ham recipe is usually one of my go-to favorites. In order to make it healthier and cut back on the amount of sugar consumed over the holidays, I often replace the brown sugar with coconut sugar. The results have been comparable, and I generally use a little less coconut sugar. You really don’t need to measure the sugar. Just use what looks right. 

Broccoli salad is a family favorite side dish. And it makes an excellent accompaniment to your holiday meal! Easily modify this recipe to your personal preferences. Skip the onions, add more bacon or craisins, or even add some nuts or sunflower seeds for an extra crunch. Not enough dressing? Just double the dressing recipe and add according to your personal desires. There are no hard fast rules with the measurements of this recipe other than the dressing ratios.

The Holiday Sweet Potato casserole originated with my aunt. However, I made adjustments to accommodate our family’s allergy needs. This recipe is generally saved for the holidays due to its high sugar content. But we can live a little sometimes, right? One of these days, I will attempt to make a healthier version. The original recipe calls for pecans. So, feel free to make a swap.


Recipes

What are some of your family’s favorite holiday recipes? I would love to hear in the comments below!  

Crockpot Honey Pineapple Ham

This ham is super simple and can be made healthy by swapping the brown sugar with coconut sugar. We have not noticed a significant change in taste by swapping the sugar. If you are on a restricted diet, this would be a great alternative. Just be sure to consider the ingredients/source of your ham.
Cook Time 4 hours
Course Main Course
Cuisine American

Equipment

  • Crockpot

Ingredients
  

  • 1 Bone-in Ham
  • 2-3 cups Brown sugar or Coconut sugar
  • 1 can pineapple any type, whatever your preference
  • 1/2 cup honey

Instructions
 

  • Cover the bottom of crockpot with a layer of brown sugar (1-2 cups)
  • Place ham on top
  • Pour pineapple with juice over ham
  • Pour honey over ham
  • Sprinkle another 1/2-1 cup of brown sugar over ham
  • Cook on low for approximately 4 hours until ham is heated through and sauce is formed

Broccoli Salad

Enjoy this family favorite side dish as an excellent accompaniment to your holiday meal! This recipe can easily be modified to your preferences. Skip the onions, add more bacon or craisins, or even add some nuts or sunflower seeds for an extra crunch. Not enough dressing? Just double the dressing recipe and add according to your personal desires. There are no hard fast rules with the measurements of this recipe other than the dressing ratios.
Course Side Dish
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 heads broccoli
  • 6 slices bacon chopped and cooked until crispy
  • 1-2 tbsp red onion finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup craisins

Dressing

  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 tbsp vinegar

Instructions
 

  • Mix together dressing ingredients and set aside.
  • Chop bacon and cook on medium heat until crispy. Drain on paper towel.
  • Chop broccoli including upper stems. Add onions and craisins.
  • Add desired amount of dressing. Mix in bacon carefully.
  • Refrigerate for several hours before serving.
Keyword Dairy Free, Gluten Free

 

Holiday Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe is originally my aunt's but has been modified to make it gluten and dairy free.
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Side Dish
Cuisine American
Servings 10

Ingredients
  

  • 4-6 large, sweet potatoes should equal 6-8 cups, cooked
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup dairy free butter, softened Earth Balance recommended
  • 3 eggs
  • 2 tsp vanilla
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2-3/4 cup dairy free milk I used coconut milk

Topping

  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 2/3 cup gluten free flour 1 for 1 all-purpose recommended
  • 1/3 cup dairy free butter melted
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped walnuts

Instructions
 

  • Peel and chop sweet potatoes. Boil in water until tender. Drain.
  • Place potatoes in mixing bowl. Add all ingredients except for milk and topping. Beat after each addition. Gradually add milk until desired consistency. *
    *Note: I do not always add full amount.
  • Pour potato mixture into 9x13 casserole dish.
  • Combine topping ingredients. Sprinkle on top of potato mixture.
  • Bake on 350 for 30-40 minutes. Insert knife into center. Knife should be hot to touch when done.
Keyword Dairy Free, Gluten Free