Sweet Cheat This Holiday Season!

In need of a decadent sweet treat this holiday season without all the gluttony? Créme brulee is probably not the first dessert which comes to mind, with all of it's egg yolks and heavy cream. Well, think again! Our 'cheat' version can be made fat free and takes just minutes to prepare.

• 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
• instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 1/2cups milk (non-fat, low-fat, whole or non-dairy)
• sugar for brulee-ing, about 2 tablespoons

In a small microwaveable bowl, combine cardamom with 1 tablespoon of water and microwave until it boils, about 15 seconds. Let rest 3 mins.

In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together pudding mix and milk for 2 minutes.

Strain cardamom water into another bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of cardamom water (or to taste) to the pudding, stir to combine. Let pudding rest until soft set, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to oven-safe ramekins, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 30 minutes.

When you are ready to eat them, sprinkle an even layer of sugar over puddings, then brulee with a torch or under the broiler. If using the broiler, broil ramekins on a baking sheet, for quick removal, when they become carmelized.

Holiday Meals: Bring the Good Option

Watching waistlines during the holidays is always a challenge. Plan for success this year by bringing the good option to holiday gatherings. Whatever your favorite dish / greatest weakness is, offer to make that dish and then bring a dish that you feel good about eating yourself and about serving to family and friends.

Here are a few suggestions for good options to bring:

Salad
Use a luxury ingredient like pecans or avocados for some heart-healthy fats that will curb your holiday appetite and help prevent over-indulging later in the meal. And take a stab at making your our salad dressing!

Hot Vegetable Side
Bring green beans simply sauteed in a dribble of olive oil with some sea salt (rather than drowned in 'cream of something soup'). Or, depending on the crowd (whether people love garlic or not), make Angry Broccoli: lightly saute several cloves of minced garlic with some red pepper flakes in a tablespoon of olive oil, toss in steamed broccoli and top with a few shavings of parmesan or pecorino cheese.


Dessert:
A fresh fruit plate with plain greek-style yogurt or a fresh farmers cheese (low in fat and calories) drizzled with honey, or a simple baked fruit dessert (without a pastry crust) garnished with a few nuts.

Happy Holidays!

The Glogg Blog

Have you heard of Glogg? My husband spent many years living in Iceland so I have gotten to know Glogg well, as he often makes it during the holiday season. Glogg is the term used for mulled wine in nordic countries.

Our friends love it and always ask us to bring Glogg to their holiday party. Here is a kid friendly version of Glogg the whole family can gulp up!

Glogg For Kids:
-1 gallon of apple cider
-2 oz dried orange zest
-2 oz cinnamon sticks
-20 whole cardamom seeds
-25 whole cloves
-1 lb blanched almonds
-1 lb raisins

Pour the apple cider into a large stock pot. 
Bring to a boil over medium high heat. 
Toss in orange zest, cinnamon sticks, cardamom and cloves. Let boil for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
Stir in almonds and raisins and continue to boil for 15 more minutes. 
Remove from heat or keep on simmer until the last glass has been filled!
Serve hot!

picture credit from one of our favorite bloggers:
http://thepioneerwoman.com/

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