Holidays and celebrations are a part of life where food is often the centerpiece. Whether your typical routine meals are low carb, slow carb or no particular diet approach at all, joy and tradition are more important than deprivation during the holidays.
That said, if you want to stay true to low carb or slow carb during holidays or celebrations, it does not have to mean tasteless, boring dishes. There are many options and many recipes that can stand in and stand up to joyful social eating.
Check out the particular holiday categories below for recipes ranging from elegant dinners to sweet treats to fancy schmancy cocktails. You’re sure to find something that is a fit for you and yours.
Friends and family absolutely love to get surprise packages in the mail, and it’s even more special when you add a personal touch of a home-made treat. The problem with many baked goods is that they don’t ship well if they are crumbly or gooey. This chocolate bark is packed with holiday flavors, is easy …
The variety of Mexican moles are all unique and delicious, but the required pepper roasting, peeling and rehydrating can be a bit daunting and time consuming. This mole rojo using a powdered blend of smoked chiles, cocoa and spices is the key to making a more achievable, but still full-bodied, mole. What is Mole Rojo? …
This recipe for pork and nopales (cactus) is a traditional Mexican lunch or dinner. No matter the time of day or the season, this super easy dinner is a winner in our books! Can You Really Eat Cactus? Yes, you really CAN eat cactus! And it’s actually quite tasty when cooked correctly. The most common …
You can use an indoor grill (or a “comal”) to get blackened or grilled white fish that are perfect for making healthy fish tacos. Add some avocado cream and pickled onions and you’ll have the best homemade Mexican fish tacos. A bonus is they also happen to be quick and easy! Sides, Sauces & Slaws …
The Brits do love their steamed puddings, from the Christmas “figgy pudding” to all kinds of sweet and savory renditions. After making this persimmon steamed pudding, I echo their pudding love. It was delicious, and doesn’t require specialized equipment. Most of the “time” is down time while it is steaming away. What is a Steamed …
Oyster stew is a classic dish for Christmas Eve, but it is also a great comfort food dish that will get you through any cold evening. Fresh oysters are ideal for this creamy soup, but canned oysters can work almost as well. Keys to Perfect Oyster Stew from Scratch You can purchase oyster stew in …
Camarão na Moranga (Shrimp in Pumpkin) is a creamy seafood stew from Brazil beautifully served in a colorful pumpkin. Traditionally it would be served in a pinkish heirloom variety of pumpkin called Moranga (see photo below). If you can’t find this variety however, an orange baking pumpkin will work just fine. The flavor and the presentation …
This fresh fruit salad made with crunchy jicama, tropical sweet mangoes, and cool cucumbers is enhanced with a sweet ginger lime dressing and sprinkled with chile-lime salt for a finish. A riff on the popular Mexican street food sold in cups. Which Fruit is Best to Use? One of the best things about this chopped …
Cochinita pibil is a pork dish that is typically cooked underground. However, this recipe uses the slow cooker and tastes just as good! The pork shines in sweet, tangy achiote sauce in this recipe for cochinita pibil. What is Cochinita Pibil? “Cochinita” translates to little pig in Mexican and ”pibil” is a method of cooking …
Pickled onions are a tart and slightly sweet accouterment to a wide variety of dishes (a favorite with Mexican cuisine). The cool, pungent crunch adds a crisp breath of freshness to carnitas or fish tacos in particular. They take 30 minutes to make and keep in the refrigerator for many weeks. Pickled Onions for Mexican …
Roasted, rolled leg of lamb is an impressive dish often reserved for Easter or holiday dinners. It is fairly easy to prepare however and could easily go beyond its holiday status. This recipe spreads the deboned leg of lamb out flat, seasons it with a Mexican spice rub, rolls the lamb back up and roasts …
Meyer lemons taste like a cross between a lemon and an orange, but they are quite expensive. This faux “meyer lemon” pie has a low carb nut crust and a no-bake lemon-orange filling. Perfect for celebrations where there are a variety of lifestyles and tastebuds! How to Modify Pie Recipes to Low Carb The Fruit: …
My daughter has ties to the Hispanic/Latinx community in Colorado and she frequently shares Mexican recipes or ideas with me. Using a chile lime salt sprinkled over fruits and vegetables as a snack was one of my favorite authentic Mexican snacks. It’s awesome on so many things, and it can truly enhance low carb vegetables …
Using shrub syrups in drinks is a way to make awesome cocktails or mocktails at home!
Pheasant Normandy (Except with chicken) is a famous French stew make with apples, onions, cream and apple brandy