I used to feel obligated to make unhealthy traditional comfort foods for my holiday guests. In fact, I almost felt guilty if I didn’t load their plates with decadent dishes. You may also have experienced this before – feeling torn between not wanting to ruin your PCOS diet and making your guests happy.

Fortunately, I no longer feel this way. I’ve learned how to serve up comforting, classic holiday meals that every guest at the table can enjoy without serving my loved ones a bunch of process carbs, sugar, and unhealthy fats. These days, guests look forward to eating at my place because I offer something different than the traditional food that leaves them feeling guilty, lethargic, and bloated. AFter all, even people who do not have PCOS feel better physically and mentally when they eat healthy foods.

Bacon Wrapped Dates Appetizer

This decadent appetizer is made from whole foods and packs both protein and healthy fats. Bacon wrapped dates are a rich appetizer, so keep portion control in mind. Two or three dates per a guest is plenty.

Ingredients

• 20 Medjool dates with pits removed
• 20 raw almonds
• 10 slices of bacon
• 20 wooden toothpicks

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F
2. Slice the bacon lengthwise so that you have 20 ribbons of bacon. 
3. Stuff one almond inside each date. Wrap with a ribbon of bacon and secure with a wooden toothpick.
4. Bake for 30 minutes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

One Pot Indian Roast Chicken

This flavorful main course is an interesting take on a traditional favorite. I love serving roast chicken because it’s a high-protein dish that you can make in one pot. This recipe uses yogurt in the marinade, but I would use cows’ milk simply because there will not be that much dairy in the final product. If you are strictly dairy-free, plain coconut milk yogurt might work as a substitute.

Ingredients

• 1.5kg whole chicken
• 2 large onions, peeled and cut into thick slices
• 1 tbsp rapeseed oil
• 1 lemon, halved
• 2 large garlic cloves, crushed
• 1 tbsp freshly grated root ginger
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp hot paprika
• 1 tbsp ground turmeric
• 2 tbsp rapeseed oil
• 250ml (1 cup) plain yogurt
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Click here to get the instructions on how to prepare the chicken. The instructions also include a recipe for couscous. To make this meal lower in carbs, I recommend replacing the couscous with the mashed cauliflower recipe below.

Simple Mashed Cauliflower

Mashed potatoes are a go-to holiday classic, but the flavor of mashed cauliflower will bring that comfort food feeling to your dinner without the added carbohydrates. You might be incredulous about ditching potatoes, but let me tell you, this is a very tasty side dish. Most folks won’t even notice the difference!

Ingredients

• 1 head of cauliflower
• 2 cloves of roasted garlic
  
• 2 tsp of fresh parsley
  
• 1 tbsp of grass-fed butter

Instructions

1. Wash and cut cauliflower into florets
2. Steam cauliflower for 8 minutes in a pot with a steamer basket.
3. Strain the cauliflower and return to the pot. Add all the other ingredients.
4. Use a stick blender to mash the cauliflower and incorporate the ingredients.

Almond Flour Crescent Cookies and Hot Cocoa for Dessert

These delicious cookies are gluten and dairy free. If you dust them with less powdered sugar, they can be low in sugar too. They pair nicely with this healthy hot cocoa recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup finely ground almond flour
• 3 Tablespoons softened organic butter, ghee or vegan butter
• 5-6 Tablespoons organic confectioners’ sugar (I use about 1/2 of what the recipe calls for)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup finely chopped pecans

Instructions

For baking instructions, visit the cooking blog Eating Bird Food.

Would you like some more tips on having a happy and healthy holiday season? Follow me on Facebook! I will be sharing tips throughout the holiday season.