As kids during the holidays, we couldn’t get enough of those sugar-laden candied yams or sweet potato pie, but as adults, we know those dishes aren’t doing our health any favors! So I decided to reinvent a few holiday favorites and created some healthy Thanksgiving-inspired recipes you can enjoy year-round. They’re simple to make, healthy and packed with flavor.
Turkey as a lean protein is a great place to start. We skip the skin and gravy, and make it healthier by sautéing it in olive oil, this time with a citrus twist! Our Crushed Blood Orange Flavored Olive Oil adds a sunny, buttery flavor along with heart-healthy fats. I also add a drizzle at the end for a warm, citrusy finish.
Jewel-toned cranberry relish is the perfect turkey compliment. Just like red wine, cranberries contain resveratrol, a powerful, heart-healthy antioxidant. Paired with a Vitamin C-packed orange, plus a drizzle of Blood Orange Olive Oil and some raw honey, it’s a tasty condiment that jazzes up turkey or chicken while boosting your health.
For a healthy Thanksgiving-inspired side, I have a roasted root vegetable medley studded with rosemary for cozy, festive flavor redolent of the holidays. With deep purple, bright yellow and vibrant orange carrots, plus tiny potatoes and creamy parsnip, it’s a wholesome, satisfying side dish you’ll crave when cool weather hits.
Besides pleasing the eyes, the gorgeous colors in those root veggies and cranberry relish bring also come with health benefits. This is because the natural plant pigments in them are antioxidant carotenoids and flavonoids. As a general rule, the more natural veggie colors you have on your plate, the more medicinal your meal. We coat the veggies in herbaceous Crushed Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil – not just because it’s delicious, but because eating them with a healthy fat helps your body to absorb all those health-supporting carotenoids.
Let’s talk about rosemary, the fragrant and flavorful herb that ties both dishes together and brings out the best holiday flavors. Along with many of the other ingredients in this meal, rosemary contains health-boosting antioxidant plant compounds – so what most people think of as a garnish is secretly a nutritional superstar!
Healthy Thanksgiving-Inspired Recipes for Year-Round Enjoyment
Citrus Sautéed Turkey Cutlets with Cranberry Relish
- 4 thin turkey cutlets, organic or antibiotic-free
- 2 to 3 Tbsp Blood Orange Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tbsp fresh rosemary, chopped
- Savory Salt Blend
- Pepper & Juniper Blend
Heat a large skillet or cast iron pan over medium heat. Salt and pepper both sides of turkey cutlets then sprinkle rosemary over top. Add 1 Tbsp of blood orange olive oil to pan then cook cutlets 3-5 minutes each side or until juice runs clear. Finish each cutlet with a drizzle of blood orange olive oil. Serves 4.
For the Cranberry Relish:
- 1 Navel or blood orange, quartered
- 1 cup cranberries
- 1 tsp Crushed Blood Orange Olive Oil or EVOO
- 2 tsp raw honey
Rinse orange and cranberries, then quarter orange. Place in a food processor and pulse for a few seconds until fruits are uniformly blended. Scoop relish into a bowl then stir in raw honey and Blood Orange olive oil, to taste. Serve with turkey cutlets; this relish is also very tasty as a sandwich spread for leftovers!
Rosemary Roasted Root Vegetables
Use organic veggies when possible
- 2 cups rainbow carrots, chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups baby potatoes, cut in half
- 1 large parsnip, peeled and chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 2 to 4 Tbsp Crushed Rosemary Flavored Olive Oil
- 1/2 tsp Savory Salt Blend
- 1/4 tsp Pepper & Juniper Blend
- Fresh rosemary for garnish
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Add chopped veggies to large sheet pan, drizzle with rosemary olive oil then add a few fresh grinds of salt and pepper. Stir to coat evenly. Roast 30 minutes, stir veggies, then roast another 25 minutes until veggies are tender and caramelized. Finish with a few twists of salt and pepper, and a drizzle of rosemary olive oil, if desired. Serves 4.
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