Your Holiday Menu Planned

7 Delicious and Healthy Recipes to Save the Day

It’s that time of the year again! While the festive season is all about family, friends and good times, it’s also about the food. But with so many dishes to prepare, planning a holiday menu can be a daunting task. You want to serve delicious, healthy, and satisfying dishes that will please everyone, but where do you begin? Look no further - we’ve rounded up seven of our favorite holiday recipes developed at Dole that are both easy to make and good for you. Keep reading to save the day with a stress-free holiday menu!

1.     Five- Star Vegan Cheese Spread: This vegan cheese spread will make your guests forget that it’s not real cheese! It’s rich, creamy, and full of flavor, and is sure to win over even the most skeptical cheese lover. Made with cashews, nutritional yeast, a humble potato, and more than eight servings of produce, it’s perfect for spreading on crackers, bread, or vegetables. Plus, it’s versatile and can be served warm or cold!

2.     Warm Sweet Potato Salad with Kale and Cranberries: This warm salad is the perfect side dish to accompany your holiday spread. It’s earthy, sweet, and tangy, and packed with healthy nutrients. Roasted sweet potatoes, kale, and cranberries are tossed and combined with apple cider vinegar and the sweetness from our traditional Chopped Sunflower Crunch Kit salad dressing. The best part? You can easily make it ahead of time and top with warm sweet potato before serving.

3.     Roasted Stuffed Acorn Squash: This dish is sure to impress your guests with its elegant presentation and delicious flavor. Roasted acorn squash halves are stuffed with a mixture of mushrooms, spinach, pepitas and herbs, and then topped with a freshly mixed salad. It’s a vegetarian main course that makes for a great starter or side dish as well.  It’s sure to please everyone at the table.

4.     Crispy Tuscan Shrimp Scampi Bake: This delicious and comforting seafood dish is perfect for a cozy holiday dinner. Shrimp is baked to perfection in an herby garlic sauce and topped with flavorful panko breadcrumbs. It’s a quick and easy meal that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters.

5.     Banana Pecan Monkey Bread: This indulgent breakfast dish is perfect for a relaxing holiday morning. Soft and fluffy dough is rolled in cinnamon sugar, layered with fresh bananas and pecans, and baked until golden brown. It’s a sweet and satisfying treat that your family will love. You can even serve as a wonderful holiday dessert.

6.     Winter Wreath with Bananas and Berries: This festive take on the traditional pavlova is a great addition to your holiday spread. Fresh bananas, strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries are arranged in a wreath shape on top of a meringue and drizzled with a bright berry sauce.  It’s a healthy and colorful dessert that will surely impress your guests.

7.     Slow Cooker Warm Pineapple Tea Punch: This warm and cozy drink is the perfect beverage to welcome guests into your home. Pineapple, apple cider and black tea are simmered in a slow cooker with aromatic oranges, cranberries and cinnamon sticks creating a fragrant and flavorful punch that’s perfect for sipping on by the fire. Plus, it’s easy to make in advance, so you can focus on other things during your holiday party.

With these seven recipes, you can impress your guests with healthy and delicious dishes that are easy to make and serve. Don’t forget to save this post for future reference! Happy holidays and happy cooking!

Published December 1, 2023