The holiday season is here in Portland and surrounding areas, accompanied by winter cold. Hearty foods reign this time of year. Winter is also when fresh vegetables are less plentiful, but seniors can still enjoy veggies as part of holiday meals. Check out these festive recipe ideas for vegetables and start getting them on your plate!
Veggies with Sauces
Sauces make everything better! Adding sweet and savory flavorings to root vegetables dresses them nicely for a holiday dinner. Try Sauteed Radishes with Orange Butter to accompany the holiday ham. Of course, cheese is a great go-to as an addition to vegetables. It is more than just broccoli with cheese sauce, though. Seniors can try this deliciously decadent Beer-Cheese Fondue at the holiday get-together or for a fun dinner with family. For a sauce that evokes the finer things, seniors can also go for a simple-to-make hollandaise sauce. They can pair it with asparagus or other vegetables served with fish, poultry, or beef.
Veggies Sprinkled with Crunchies
Take vegetable dishes up a notch by adding a crunch to them; toss broccoli with olive oil and a parmesan cheese-bread crumb blend and pop it in the oven. Consider a side dish that demands to be noticed, like this Flash-Roasted Broccoli with Spicy Crumbs. Fried onions are always a great addition to baked veggies; add a bit of spice with this Cajun Green Bean Casserole.
Roasted Vegetables
The winter chill almost invites a hot oven. Seniors and their families can create delicious veggie dishes in the range as a side to a hearty holiday meal. Try Lemony Salt-Roasted Fingerling Potatoes paired with fish or pork for the perfect feast. Another easy method for roasting vegetables is on a sheet pan; it works well for all veggies. Just toss with olive oil and season, then dump onto a sheet pan and put in a hot oven. Check out this recipe for sheet pan oven-roasted vegetables.
Mixing Vegetables into Dishes
Spinach is a versatile vegetable that is easy to blend into many dishes. Add fresh or frozen spinach to an omelet for breakfast, or toss spinach into a pasta dish. Chicken florentine is also a fancy and flavorful dish for a holiday gathering; it is a crowd-pleaser and easy to make. Seniors can use vegetable noodles, like Zucchini noodles, with pasta sauce for a quick bite during busy evenings filled with holiday events. Add peas to the macaroni and cheese for the holiday dinner.
Hearty Salads
Nothing satisfies more than a hearty salad. However, a salad doesn't have to consist of just leafy greens. Crunch, sweet, and savory come together in this Beet and Celery Salad. Try a zesty asparagus and rice salad when ready for a lighter meal that still satiates. Of course, a leafy salad is always a great choice with holiday meals; add fruit to sweeten and add interesting flavors. Make a dressing that brings out the best in salads; Green Goddess is full of flavor and perfect for various dishes.
The holiday season here in Portland, Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Lake Oswego includes family gatherings, great food, and fun times. So make these recipe ideas for vegetables part of your seniors' holiday meal! Senior Helpers of Portland West provides outstanding in-home care for seniors; Contact us today to learn more.