Simple Recipes for Christmas

Whether you go traditional or choose to reinvent dishes your way this Christmas, an elaborate spread is a must! Today, let us learn how to make two simple recipes.

1. Mashed Cauliflower

A low calorie recipe, savory cauliflower puree derives most of its flavor from aromatic garlic, a dash of buttermilk and butter, and chopped fresh herbs. It has about 1/4th the calories as mashed potatoes, which means all the more reason to rejoice.

Ingredients required:

• 1 head of cauliflower (cut into florets)
• 4-5 garlic cloves (peeled and crushed)
• 1/3rd cup buttermilk (preferably non-fat)
• 1 tablespoon vegetable or chicken stock
• 4 teaspoons olive oil or 2 teaspoons butter (preferably salt-free)
• Fresh herbs
• Salt, pepper, red paprika to taste
• Parmesan (grated, optional)

Directions:

1. Bring a pot of water to boil over medium-to-high heat

2. Cook the cauliflower florets for 5-6 minutes

3. In a fresh pan, drizzle some oil and roast the crushed garlic until their fragrance is released

4. Drain the florets onto dry sheets of paper to absorb excess water

5. Either in a food processor or a blender, add the steamed florets, roasted crushed garlic, stock water, buttermilk, and parmesan

6. Process or blend it until the desired consistency is met

7. Roast chives and fresh herbs in the same pan used for roasting garlic for 2-3 minutes

8. Stir in butter, salt, pepper, and red paprika into the cauliflower puree

9. Garnish with chives and herbs

10. Serve hot with a side of fresh peas (optional)

2. Cheese-y Spinach

There are a few combinations you can never go wrong with, with spinach and cheese being one of them! A really simple recipe, this one will make your kitchen, stomach, and heart very happy.

Ingredients required:

• 1500 grams spinach
• 1 diced onion
• 5 teaspoons rice flour
• 4 cups milk
• 2 cups cheddar cheese
• 1 ½ cup parmesan cheese
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder or crushed and roasted garlic
• 2 teaspoons crushed red paprika
• 1 teaspoon mustard powder
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a saucepan, cook onion until slightly brown in melted butter
2. Add the milk, garlic powder or crushed cloves, red paprika, mustard powder, black pepper, and salt
3. Bring the mixture to boil, after which keep stirring it on low-to-medium heat
4. In another saucepan, use the butter and flour to create a paste. Add it to the spices’ mixture
5. Set aside ½ cup cheese and add the rest to this mixture, stirring well to create a thick sauce. Take it off the stove after desired consistency is achieved.
6. Drain excess water from the spinach and stir it into the mixture gently
7. Garnish with the leftover cheese and fresh herbs and cook in the oven until it melts

While one is a low calorie recipe, the other spells out indulgence. Try both and let us know which one is your favorite in the comments below! Happy Holidays!

In this article author has written about some simple recipes for Christmas. For more information, visit The Brunette Diaries.