What's cookin' for christmas?

Attempting to undertake my first large family dinner this year, I've been devising a good mix of healthy and traditional to satisfy all the palates at the table.

Ham? No thanks... not being a meat eater myself, I would have no idea how to go about cooking one anyway. Instead, this recipe from Cooking Light will be the main course. Pork loin is lean and tasty and this recipe has a smoky flavor like bacon or ham from the blue cheese and carmelized onions.

For the ever-present mashed potatoes, I think I'll sneak in half turnips or cauliflower with plenty of garlic and just a little low-fat sour cream for a lower-calorie side dish. Roasted winter vegetables and salad are also on the menu.

Instead of store bought rolls, I'm finally trying to make mom's homemade bread (Thanks, Mom!). I smell it baking now and kinda feel like I'm 5 again :)

Not being one to forget dessert, I'm making red velvet cake- festive, delicious and no compromises here. Choosing one indulgence and sticking to that (instead of LOTS of indulgences) can help you keep from that dreaded holiday weight gain from ever happening. Less work to do in the new year, right?



Hearty Oats and Wheat Loaves
2 to 2 ½ cup bread flour

1 cup rolled oats

2 tsp salt

2 packages active dry yeast

1 ¾ cups water

½ cup honey

½ cup canola oil

2 eggs (reserve one white)

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 cup rye flour

1 T water

4 tsp sesame seed



Grease two 8x4 or 9x5 inch loaf pans. Lightly spoon bread flour into measuring cups and level off. In a large bowl, combine 1 ½ cups bread flour, oats, salt and yeast. Blend well. In a saucepan, combine water, oil and honey and heat until very warm (120-130 degrees). Mix warm liquid and eggs with flour mixture until moistened. Beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Add whole wheat and rye flours to form a soft dough. Turn out onto floured countertop and knead in up to 1 cup bread flour, kneading until dough forms a smoot, elastic ball (about 10 minutes).



Place dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise 1 hour. Punch down dough and divide into 2 balls. Let rest, covered, on counter for 15 minutes. Form into two loaves and placed into prepared pans. Let rise 1 hour or until doubled in size.



Combine reserved egg white and 1 T water and brush over loaves. Sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake at 375 degrees for about 30 or 40 minutes or until loaves sound hollow when tapped lightly. Remove from pans immediately.