Easy Christmas Food Ideas

With the holiday season upon us, you may be looking for Easy Christmas Food Ideas . Undoubtedly, this COVID-19 pandemic year has challenged many of us with financial, social, and emotional burdens. Additionally, we have become used to modifying our lifestyles. We are spending more time at home, communicating virtually with colleagues, friends and family and perhaps finding extra serenity in activities like bubble baths, board games and Netflix series. What I love about today’s topic is that these low-stress meal options allow you to take some extra time back for yourself.

Today’s blog describes how to have an Easy Christmas with food ideas that use only about 5 ingredients. These basic (but delicious) dishes can all be prepared in minimal time, with few ingredients and they are of course nutritious options! Plus, you can enjoy these Easy Christmas Food Ideas with your immediate family, and you can make them ahead and/or deliver them to your neighbor’s doorstep for a holiday drop-off. 

This post was sponsored by the Egg Farmers of Ontario, as always, all opinions are genuine.

---

3 Steps to An Easy Christmas:

1. Plan Ahead:

To enjoy an Easy Christmas and to reduce stress, be sure to plan what you want to make. This ensures that you have all the necessary ingredients and do not have to make last-minute grocery store trips. A little planning goes a long way!

2. Prep Ahead:

Be sure to prepare the foods you wish to serve in advance. Remember, your freezer can be your friend if you want to store dishes for Christmas Day. My mom always stores her baking in the freezer weeks in advance and has it ready for the family to enjoy. Thawing meat, cutting veggies or assembling dips ahead will help to keep stress low on Christmas Day.

3. Breathe Deeply:

You will know you’ve had an Easy Christmas if you are able to breathe deeply. As all of us do, when you are stressed, you tend to hold your breath and hold tension in your body. Additionally, your focus tends to drift when you are less aware of your own breath. Being able to breathe deeply and relax your shoulders and jaw can help. Take time during your holiday season to pay attention to your breathing, extend your exhale and relax your body. Your breathing will connect with your mind and help reduce stress. 

---

Easy Christmas Food Ideas

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Nothing says, “It’s a celebration!” better than Deviled Eggs. They are delightful hand-held, protein-rich wonders that are enjoyed while conversing and perfect for pot-luck style eating as well. When brainstorming Easy Christmas Food Ideas, think of the crowd appeal, ease of eating and ability to make-ahead for a simple serving. 

Think Outside the Carton

What’s awesome about making Deviled Eggs is that I use one of my favourite fridge-staples – hard-cooked eggs! I always have some in the fridge for easy protein-rich additions to meals or snacks. Check out how to make Hard-Cooked Eggs to Perfection in only about ten minutes.

Food TIP: Older eggs are best to hard-cook because they are easier to peel. This is because the pH level of the albumin (egg whites) increases causing the egg whites to shrink slightly and allowing more air space between the shell and egg itself.

After eating your deviled eggs, you get to enjoy an awesome source of complete protein with 6 grams per egg and only 70 calories. They’re also rich in 14 essential minerals such as choline for the brain and lutein for eyes. Additionally, our Ontario eggs go from the farm to the grocery store in only 4 to 7 days – delicious and always fresh!

Christmas Colours:

When celebrating and cooking for Christmas, I love to incorporate extra festive colours. Therefore, I added avocado to my Deviled Eggs to create a beautiful green hue. You can also sprinkle pomegranates around the Deviled Eggs for a pop of red along with a boost of vitamin C and fibre.

Garlic Ricotta Dip with Roasted Tomatoes

Another easy Christmas food idea – include a dip! Every holiday gathering needs a dip, in my opinion. They are so fun to eat and can be served in individual ramekins as well. Plus, you can vary the vehicles for dip consumption – crackers, baguette bites, veggies. The possibilities are endless!

This Garlic Ricotta Dip is simple and flavourful, and a protein-packed appetizer that’s sure to be a hit. It’s a 5-ingredient dish and I topped mine with some roasted tomatoes for a festive pop of colour. Finally, serve with your favourite cracker, toasted baguette or veggies. Alternatively, you can toast up Naan bread with some oil and oregano for homemade crackers.

Dietitian TIP: Tomatoes are an excellent source of antioxidants such as carotenoids (form of vitamin A) that include lutein and lycopene to promote eye health. Roasting tomatoes in oil increases the body’s ability to absorb these carotenoids!

Snowy Peanut Butter & Flax Energy Balls

Amazingly, you do not have to be a baker to master this Snowy Peanut Butter & Flax Energy Balls recipe. They use only 6 ingredients and they are an absolute delight!

Also, they are the perfect make-ahead dessert since they store optimally in the freezer and you can take them out to serve when needed.

Be sure to use your favourite peanut butter or alternative nut butter. I added craisins to mine for a little festive red punch of colour. Additionally, I add ground flax to boost the dietary fibre, which is good for digestion, heart hearth and blood sugar control. Flax is a high dietary source of lignans, which are fibre-associated plant compounds that act as precursors for phytoestrogens. In fact, flax is one of the highest sources of lignans and have been linked to a decreased risk for heart disease, blood pressure and inflammation (read more here).

Doorstep Drop-Offs

Have you received a doorstep drop-off? These are gaining popularity during the COVID pandemic as a way to show your love and provide a kind gesture for another. This holiday season, you could leave some of these Easy Christmas Food Options for a loved one. As well, you can show your love in different ways with heartfelt words and cards.

---

Bottom Line:

We are still facing a year with different challenges than ever before. Be sure to incorporate some Easy Christmas Food Ideas – like Avocado Deviled Eggs, Garlic Ricotta Dip and Snowy Peanut Butter Energy Balls. Including options that require few ingredients, are quick to make and ideal to prep ahead will save stress and hassle, so you can enjoy your smaller get-togethers.

From the Dietetic Directions family to yours, we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season! Additionally, be sure to share with us some of your favourite ways to keep things simple this holiday season.