Sara Fudge has some recipes for you

The holiday season is quickly approaching, and that means it’s time to start thinking about what you will be serving at your family dinners and other festivities. Aside from spending time with loved ones, many holiday events revolve around food that tends to be on the heavier side. While one indulgent meal after another is likely to leave you feeling tired and sluggish, these reinvented side dishes are here to prove that you don’t have to sacrifice any flavor to experience a lightened up version of your classic favorites.

When it comes to holiday entertaining, many would argue that side dishes are just as important as the main course. These healthy holiday side dishes are not only delicious, but they will impress your guests. Planning your holiday menu doesn’t mean that you need to push your health goals to the wayside. With a few simple substitutions, you can still enjoy the indulgent side dishes you’ve grown to love during the holiday season. Even better, these recipes are easy to prepare and will please a crowd. This delightfully simple side dish combines savory and sweet flavors to satisfy all of your taste buds. The tender Brussels sprouts paired with the pop of flavor from the dried cranberries is sure to delight any dinner guest. Better yet, you can have this dish on the table in only 15 minutes from start to finish, which means you have more time to socialize with your family and friends.

What You’ll Need: Cooking spray, Brussels sprouts, pine nuts, reduced sugar dried cranberries, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and red pepper flakes (optional) Find The Full Recipe: https://cookingwithfudge.com/shaved-brussels-sprouts/

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Shaved Brussels Sprouts w/Pine Nuts + Cranberries

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

SQUASH CASSEROLE

There is just something about squash casserole that people can’t get enough of, and this healthier version does not disappoint. Opting for reduced fat cheese and light sour cream allows you to experience the same cheesy, comforting casserole you’ve loved since you were a kid. When you make this lightened up option, you can happily enjoy this indulgent side dish any time of the year!

What You’ll Need: Yellow squash, onion, cooking spray, garlic, salt, pepper, vegetable or chicken stock, light sour cream, plain nonfat Greek yogurt, panko bread crumbs, and reduced fat shredded cheese Find The Full Recipe:

https://cookingwithfudge.com/healthy-squash-casserole/ Squash Casserole These Garlic Mashed Potatoes are full of flavor, and they taste exactly like what you would find at your favorite southern restaurant. By making a few simple swaps like using light sour cream and a lower calorie milk option, you can still enjoy a hearty and delicious side dish with fewer calories and fat. In fact, you won’t even notice that you are enjoying a healthier version. What You’ll Need: Potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic, almond milk, and light sour cream

Find The Full Recipe: https://cookingwithfudge.com/healthy-garlic-mashed-potatoes/

AIR FRYER FRIED OKRA

BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

Creamy, comforting, and cheesy with subtle hints of sage, rosemary, and thyme, this Butternut Squash Risotto is certain to make an appearance alongside your holiday meals for years to come! The butternut squash adds an extra layer of warmth and richness while the freshly grated parmesan cheese garnishes the dish with a nice nutty flavor, giving a unique twist to your classic “tried and true” risotto.

What You’ll Need: Cooking spray, light butter, shallots or onion, dry white wine, arborio rice, vegetable or chicken stock, butternut squash, parmesan cheese, sage, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper

Butternut Squash Risotto

Air Fryer Fried Okra

A FEW PARTING NOTES

Our hope is that these recipes will inspire you to think outside the box when it comes to your holiday entertaining. If you have health goals or dietary restrictions that you need to consider, you can feel encouraged that you can still enjoy your favorite recipes by making a couple of simple substitutions. The holiday season is about togetherness with loved ones, and when you pair that with delicious food and memory-making, that’s what life is all about. Is there anything better than fried okra? While the classic version calls for the okra to be breaded and deep fried, the invention of the air fryer has completely changed the game when it comes to this southern favorite. Skipping the oil certainly reduces the fat and calories of the tried-and-true tradition, you will not be missing out on anything by using an air fryer instead. This Air Fryer Fried Okra still comes out delightfully crispy, and we would be willing to bet that no one notices a difference! What You’ll Need: Fresh okra, eggs, all-purpose flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, garlic powder, and cooking spray

Find The Full Recipe:

https://cookingwithfudge.com/air-fryer-fried-okra/

Sara Fudge has lived in West Cobb for over 30 years. As a wife to James and a mom to four boys, Sara is passionate about creating family-friendly meals that are easy, healthy, delicious, and budget-conscious with today’s ever-increasing grocery prices. Sara publishes her recipes on her website, Cooking With Fudge, and on Instagram (@ To find the full recipes for these healthy cookingwithfudge). holiday side dishes, be sure to check out cookingwithfudge.com. Our Town