The Holiday season is all about treats, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be healthy. Believe it or not, you can create healthy Christmas food gifts for your loved ones to make sure they eat right this time of year rather than put on extra pounds.
Whether you’re looking for organic fruit recipes, gluten free, or dairy free Christmas food gift ideas, we have you covered when it comes to serving up healthy food options this holiday season.
Healthy Holiday Season Food Gift Ideas
Giving the gift of organic fruit is not only delicious, but a healthy option for your guests. If you follow German tradition, you can create something known as a Rumtopf, which is a crock filled with fermented fruit, sugar, and rum.
To create the fruit for a rumtopf, you will need to weigh your washed fruit and measure out half of that weight in sugar. The mixed sugar and fruit is then placed in a container – the rumtopf – and is covered in rum. A saucer is placed on top of the mixture to keep the fruit submerged and so that the lid can fit tightly on. When the next fruit becomes ripened, it is mixed with sugar and added on top of the fruit already in the rumtopf.
When it’s time to enjoy all your hard work, you simply combine the fruit mixture together and pour out. The contents can be enjoyed alongside ice cream, yogurt, cake or waffles.
Healthy Mince Pies with Cinnamon Cream Recipe
For another delectable treat that is a healthier version than the original, here is a recipe for mince pies with cinnamon cream.
Crust Ingredients:
340 g of minced almonds,
2 tablespoons of honey,
2 tablespoons of coconut oil,
1 egg,
1 pinch of coarse salt
“Meat” Ingredients:
2 oranges,
1 tablespoon honey/maple syrup,
1 apple,
150g raisins,
75g dried cranberries,
150g sultanas,
100ml water,
1 teaspoon cinnamon,
½ teaspoon nutmeg,
½ teaspoon ground ginger,
1 teaspoon vanilla essence.
Lastly, for the cinnamon cream, you will need 3 tablespoons of maple syrup and 1 teaspoon of cinnamon.
To create your crust, place all the ingredients to a food processor and mix everything evenly. With your hands, split the two and separate into two balls of dough and cover with saran wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
While the dough is chilling, prepare the mince meat by heating up the honey, orange juice, and lemon zest. Add in a peeled and sliced apple and follow with the vanilla, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg – stir all together. Allow to simmer for 30 to 40 minutes while stirring regularly.
Grease a cupcake tin with coconut oil and press in your dough about 1 cm thick. Fill in your meat mixture and cover it with the remaining dough. Cook for 12 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
To make the cream, scoop coconut cream, add maple syrup and cinnamon, and mix it until smooth.
When serving the pies, add a dollop of the cream. For proper enjoyment, ensure they are served warm.
You can create these ahead of time and simply heat them up. Furthermore, you can package them for your guests to be enjoyed in the comfort of their own home.
Sources:
Lou Shaw, M., “Rumtopf crock with organic fruit for Christmas food gifts and dessert,” Mother Earth News website, December 12, 2016; http://www.motherearthnews.com/real-food/rumtopf-crock-with-organic-fruit-for-christmas-zbcz1612, last accessed December 19, 2016.
Power, I., “Indy Power: Have a healthy Christmas with all the trimmings,” Independent website, December 18, 2016; http://www.independent.ie/life/food-drink/indy-power-have-a-healthy-christmas-with-all-the-trimmings-35293604.html, last accessed December 19, 2016.
