Christmas Recipes

After experimenting, creating and trying out a few new healthy recipes for the holiday season I was bombarded with requests for the recipes. Here they are - mind you, I do not have the exact amounts - just go by taste & approximations. When you put all good things in, then you get something good at the end!

Parsnip Delights
Peel & slice parsnips into 1/4 inch wide by 3 inch pieces.
Saute in butter with some thyme for 20 minutes, or until golden.
Remove from pan and let cool.
Take one phyllo sheet, brush with melted butter and sprinkle grated parmesan cheese & cayenne pepper (to taste) over it (about 1/4 cup per phyllo sheet).
Place another phyllo sheet over the first. Cut into 12 squares.
Prepare baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper.
Take pastry square, put parsnip twig on one end and roll.
Place on baking sheet seam side down. Repeat.
Brush all with melted butter & sprinkle with coarse sea salt.
Bake 350 for 10-15 minutes, until puffed, crisped & golden.


Japanese Deviled Eggs
Boil eggs, cool.
Peel, cut in half and remove & reserve yolk.
Take yokes, mix with mayo to taste. Stir in dried wasabi to taste (should add just a little kick!).
Fill egg whites with the yoke mixture.
Garnish with rolled piece of sushi ginger, piece of cilantro and black sesame seeds.

Spring Rolls
Boil water & add rice vermicelli noodles, remove from heat immediately and let sit for 5 minutes. Strain & rinse.
Cut/slice/grate vegetables & fruit into very small pieces. I used carrot, red pepper, avocado, mango, cilantro. You can add meat and mint is great instead of cilantro as an herb.
Soak rice paper in warm water for 8 seconds, or just until pliable.
Place vermicelli in centre with vegetables, fruit, herbs etc. Fold over one side, fold in ends and roll.
Sauce: water, rice vinegar, hot chilis, cilantro, grated carrot.

Lentil Spread
Mix well in processor: can drained red lentils, sun dried tomatoes, lemon juice, sesame seeds, garlic, olive oil or Udo's oil (omega 3-6-9, I only use this when I cook for health reasons). Enjoy!

Guacamole
Mash ripened avocado, mayo, minced garlic, sea salt, chili flakes, chopped cherry tomatoes, & fresh cilantro.