Most people are curious about what you eat when you tell them that you’re not having the traditional holiday fares. I think they envision you sitting with a big salad in your lap, like some giant rabbit chewing slowly on each leaf of salad…and they’re thinking, “Her skin might be glowing and all, but I’m sure glad I’m not eating  that  for the holidays!” Well, trust me that sounds pretty boring to me too, unless it’s some rockin’ salad with lots of goodies! Let’s get out of fantasy land for a minute and I’ll share what I actually made for this years party. I celebrate Christmas Eve with around nine other people who have been having this tradition for the last 20+ years and we even have a “virgin” at the party…but more on that later! Here’s a look at what was on my plate

 

My Christmas Dinner…and again had it the next day!

 

You’ll have to excuse me, but I was so busy cooking that day, that I simply didn’t have time to stand and take pictures in a kitchen full of pots & pans, people and four dogs! It was a lively event to say the least and the food turned out deliciously! And that is all that really matters! Everyone enjoyed the food and tasted all the dishes! I made a new rice salad that I will share with you that was inspired by the Healthy Librarian, except I made my own version of it!

Rice salad with apples

 

Calling it my Holiday Rice Salad – will post the recipes at the end! I also made PCRM‘s Zippy Yams and Collards, but with sweet potatoes instead of yams. The taste of the steamed collards with the potatoes, satisfies my cravings for traditional Danish holiday food!  And yes, as you can see on the first picture there was a big stinkin’ salad! No, really, it didn’t stink! I just felt like saying that! The recipe for the salad is PCRM inspired and is so simple that I could do it in the dark. Here’s the recipe for that:

 

Spinach Mandarin & Pear Salad (serves 10)

 

2 bags of organic spinach (for salad)  –  can be baby spinach. Trader Joe’s has triple washed!

2 – 3 pears  –  depending on the size, cut into small pieces

4 – 5 Mandarin oranges  –  peeled and separated

A small handful of brazil nuts   –  chopped

Annie’s Lite Raspberry Vinaigrette  –  half a bottle or to taste (don’t soak the salad!)

Directions:  

 

Add all ingredients & mix in a large bowl and serve! Didn’t I tell you that was easy?! For extra crunch you can add apple or small amounts of other types of nuts.

 

Not our virgin. If so, I doubt half the party would have eaten much!

Yes, I did mention earlier, that there was a  “virgin” at our party…We invite one every year! Everyone at the party has been a virgin at some point! My next blog will have the recipe for the virgin!

Make it a great day! Here’s the recipe for the Zippy Yams & Collards. Click on the link below:

 

Zippy Yams and Collards