Lee Holmes’ Supercharged Christmas
With just two weeks left until Christmas, it’s well and truly time to start thinking about what you’re going to serve up to family and friends.
When it comes to special occasions, it can be difficult to strike the balance between something that is nourishing and healthy, and something that makes them want to come back for seconds.
That’s why we invited the lovely Lee Holmes – author of Supercharged Food – to take you through her delicious healthy Christmas day menu.
Paprika, Garlic and Rosemary Chicken (Serves 6)
If you’re in moving away from traditional turkey and looking for something nutrient rich and flavourful, I adore this Paprika, Garlic and Rosemary Chicken and the rich ruby red colour looks right at home on the Christmas table.
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs of gluten free flour
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp Celtic sea salt
- 6 organic chicken thighs
- 6 organic chicken drumsticks
- 1 tbs avocado or Extra Virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups of organic free range chicken stock
- 1/2 cup of apple cider vinegar
- 4-6 garlic cloves unpeeled
- 3 stalks of rosemary
Method:
- Pre heat oven to 190 degrees Celsius
- Place flour, spices/seasoning in a large zip lock bag & shake to mix
- Add the chicken pieces and toss to coat
- Heat oil in a large, flameproof baking dish
- Shake off excess flour from chicken and add the pieces in batches to the hot pan to brown all over
- Once browned, place chicken back into the pan; add stock, apple cider vinegar, garlic and rosemary
- Bring to the boil then transfer to pre-heated oven, uncovered, for 40 minutes or until chicken is tender and cooked through
- Remove chicken from pan, cover to keep warm, and make a reduction by cooking the pan juices in the same dish over a medium heat, uncovered, for about 5 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly
- Place chicken back to the pan and serve it at the table straight from the pan
Gluten Free Mince Pies (Makes 12, cooking time 20 mins)
Did you know that eating a pie every day for the 12 days of Christmas brings wealth and prosperity for the future 12 months? Well if you believe folklore then why not put that theory to the test and have a crack at these delicious sweet treats. Classic Christmas Minced Pies don’t need to be full of unhealthy ingredients for you to get the same festive kick.
Fruit Mince Meat Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup grated granny smith apples
- 2 TBS orange rind (about 2 oranges)
- Zest of one lemon
- 4 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1/2 cup sultanas
- 1 tsp powdered stevia or sweetener of your choice
- 1 1/2 cups dried fruit (blueberries/ cranberries/ cherries/ apricots)
- 4 cup almonds
- 15 gms butter
- 1 TBS apple cider vinegar
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp. mixed spice
- 1/4 tsp. nutmeg
- 1/4 tsp. powdered ginger
Method:
- Place all ingredients in a food processor and blend until smooth
- Set aside to ensure flavours can meld
Short crust Pastry Ingredients:
- 2 cups gluten free plain flour
- pinch salt
- 110 gms butter
- 1 large egg beaten
Method:
- Set oven to 180 degrees Celsius
- Grease 12 cup muffin pan
- With hands mix flour and butter until it resembles breadcrumbs
- Add beaten egg and mix until a dough is formed
- With a rolling pin, roll out dough between two sheets of baking paper and cut into rounds, reserving some for tops
- Place 12 x round in bottom of greased muffin pan and bake in oven for 10 mins until almost golden
- Remove from oven and add mince-meat
- Top with thin pastry crosses and return to oven for 5 mins or until top is crunchy
- Remove from oven and enjoy
Coconut Bliss Balls (Makes 12 medium-sized balls)
I love these healthy bliss balls anytime of the year, but they are particularly good at Christmas time, dusted in coconut and looking like they’ve spent a night in a snow dome. These guys are super easy to pull together, you literally just lump everything in the processor and voila… blissed out in no time. Plus they’re a wonderful snack-happy treat for kids to be Santa’s little helpers, getting the ball rolling and exercising their play dough making skills to create bundles of natural goodness for the whole family. There’s a bit of trial and error with the consistency of the mixture, it should be slightly gooey and moist, not too runny or rock hard so that the ingredients crumble in your hands. The nut butter and tahini are perfect for allowing the mixture to hold which makes an easy rolling experience.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup almond meal
- 5 TBS almond nut butter
- ½ cup tahini
- 8 drops liquid stevia
- 1 cup chopped nuts, almonds, cashews, brazil nuts, hazelnuts
- ½ cup coconut flakes
- ¼ cup sesame seeds plus extra for coating
Method:
- Place almond meal, coconut and nuts into food processor and mix
- Add stevia, almond nut butter and tahini and continue to mix until combined
- Remove and roll into balls on a flat tray
- Place extra sesame seeds in a bowl and roll balls to coat the surface
- Refrigerate and enjoy
I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! For more recipes visit www.superchargedfood.com
xoxo Lee
About Lee Holmes
Being diagnosed with an autoimmune disease and fibromyalgia in 2006 changed everything for Lee Holmes. She took her health into her own hands and explored how a change in diet could restore her wellbeing. Lee is now the creator of the blog and website, Supercharged Food, the author of a book of the same name and has been published all over the internet and lifestyle magazine landscape.
P.S. If you’d like to win a copy of Lee’s book – Supercharged Food – simply
- Like us on Facebook
- Comment below with your favourite healthy ingredient
