Foody Friday - Healthy(er) Thanksgiving Dishes!

Three times out of the year, I literally let myself stuff my face with all the delicious goodies that the meal has to offer.
Thanksgiving is one of those times. (The other would obviously be Christimas! And the third, not so obvious, would be Chinese New Year)

I always encourage my clients to not hold back so much during holiday feasts because I do believe that your life should still be enjoyed. That being said, let's not let ourselves go overboard and have all the hard work and sweat that we have done go to waste either.

So I have found a few Thanksgiving recipes that will NOT cut on taste....but WILL cut on calories and your beloved waist line! Enjoy Team!

Maple Roasted Pumpkin Salad

Serves 4, Prep Time: 25 mins, Total Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1/4 cup pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds)
1 sugar pumpkin (3 1/2 to 4 pounds), peeled, seeded, and cut in 1 1/2-inch chunks
5 tablespoons olive oil
6 garlic cloves, unpeeled
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Coarse salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 1/2 pounds arugula (2 to 3 bunches, thick stems removed), washed and dried
6 ounces feta cheese

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spread pepitas on a large rimmed baking sheet; toast in oven, tossing occasionally, until fragrant and beginning to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside.
2. On a large, rimmed baking sheet, toss pumpkin with 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, red pepper, salt, and black pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until pumpkin is tender, 25 to 30 minutes.
3. Remove garlic cloves from sheet pan; set aside. Drizzle pumpkin with 2 tablespoons maple syrup; toss to coat. Return to oven and continue roasting, tossing occasionally, until pumpkin is glazed, 5 to 10 minutes more; let cool.
4. Meanwhile, cut off root ends of garlic cloves; squeeze out garlic and mash to a paste with the side of a knife. Transfer to a large bowl. Add lime juice, mustard, and remaining maple syrup; season with salt and pepper. Whisking constantly, add remaining oil in a steady stream; set aside.
5. Add arugula and pumpkin and toss to combine. Serve salad sprinkled with toasted pepitas and crumbled feta cheese.

Roasted Winter Squash and Apple Soup
Serves 4, Prep Time: 15 minutes, Total Cooking Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Ingredients:
1 large winter squash (about 2 1/2 pounds), such as butternut or kabocha, peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch pieces
2 medium onions, peeled and quartered
3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 apples, such as Granny Smith, peeled, cored, and quartered
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Coarse salt
Chili powder, for seasoning (optional)
4 cups Vegetable Stock
Cilantro Walnut Pesto, for garnish (optional)

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large roasting pan, toss squash, onions, garlic, and apples with oil to coat. Season well with salt and chile powder. Roast, stirring every 10 minutes, until vegetables are fork-tender and lightly browned, about 40 minutes.
2. Transfer half the vegetables and 2 cups stock to a food processor; puree until smooth. Repeat with remaining vegetables and broth. Return pureed mixture to pot, thinning soup with stock, if necessary. Season with salt and chile powder; bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Serve immediately, garnished with Cilantro Walnut Pesto, if desired.


Cornbread and Sausage Stuffing
Serves 12 (1 cup each), Prep Time: 25 minutes, Total Cooking Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
1 pound sweet Italian turkey sausage, (about 4 links), casings removed
2 cups finely chopped onion
1 1/2 cups finely chopped celery
1/4 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
2 pounds prepared cornbread, cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 12 cups)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 1/2-3 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. Cook sausage in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, stirring and breaking up with a wooden spoon, until browned, about 10 minutes. Add onion and celery; cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 10 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add cornbread, parsley and sage.
3. Bring broth to a simmer in a small saucepan. Pour 1 cup over the stuffing mixture and toss gently (the cornbread will break into smaller pieces). Add as much of the remaining broth as needed, 1/2 cup at a time, until the stuffing feels moist but not wet. Spoon the stuffing into the prepared pan and cover with foil.
4. Bake the stuffing until thoroughly heated, about 25 minutes. Serve warm.

Until next time Team, please bring me any leftovers!! ;)

Health respect & happiness,
Beki