Happy Healthy Thanksgiving
Turn over a new leaf and say good-bye to overindulgent turkey-day celebrations! Put an end to starving yourself before and after the big day to make up for all the food consumed! With a healthful menu like this one, you'll keep high-fat foods at bay and have no need to feel guilty for overindulging friends, family or yourself. Go ahead and celebrate with this colorful and tasty menu!
Make It Special!
Dressed-for-Success Dinner Table
- Arrange "pear glasses" down center of dining table for an easy centerpiece. Make "pear glasses" by lining margarita or martini glasses or footed dessert dishes with florist's moss or raffia. Place 1 pear in each glass.
- Dress your dinner table days ahead, if possible. That way, if you've missing something, you'll still have time to borrow or purchase it. Drape a clean sheet over the table to keep everything fresh.
Fixed-with-Flair Foods
Beverages
- Water is a healthful beverage for everyone. Dress water glasses with slices of starfruit, lemon or lime.
- Freeze fresh mint leaves and whole cranberries in water in ice-cube trays for a special touch.
Sides
- Reserve a sprig of fresh rosemary and a few chopped onions for garnishing the risotto.
Desserts
- Dust dessert plates for the pie with cinnamon for a no-fat fancy finish.
- Spoon tiny amounts of vanilla yogurt onto the sauce around pears, then pull a toothpick through the yogurt for a decorative design.
Preparation Guide
Up to 1 Month Before
- Bake Squash Cloverleaf Rolls (if serving); store tightly wrapped in freezer. Or tightly wrap and freeze purchased wheat rolls.
The Day Before
- Thaw turkey breast.
- Make Sun-Dried Tomato Dip; refrigerate covered. Prepare veggies or buy prepared from the produce section or deli; refrigerate covered.
- Bake Crustless Pumpkin Pie (if serving); refrigerate covered.
- Wash potatoes for New Potatoes with Parsley; cover loosely and store at room temperature.
About 3 Hours Before Serving
- Make Slow Cooker Maple-Sauced Pears.
- Remove rolls from freezer; store at room temperature.
About 2 1/2 Hours Before Serving
- Put turkey in oven.
- Make Spinach-Mushroom Salad up to the point of adding dressing.
About 1 1/2 Hours Before Serving
About 1 Hour Before Serving
- Make Sweet Potato Risotto.
About 30 Minutes Before Serving
- Remove turkey from oven. Remove turkey and pineapple from pan; cover loosely with aluminum foil. Complete recipe to make sauce to serve with turkey.
- Make New Potatoes with Parsley.
About 20 Minutes Before Serving
- Make Holiday Beans and Cranberries. (If you use the recipe tip for using fresh green beans, allow time for removing ends.)
About 15 Minutes Before Serving
- Place rolls in oven to heat.
- Garnish turkey platter with pineapple and fresh herbs.
- Toss salad.