The holiday season is in full swing, bringing with it plenty of cheer and festive gatherings. At The Cottages, we’ve been embracing the joy of coming together—and, of course, no celebration is complete without delicious food! To make your holiday meals both memorable and nourishing, we’re sharing a collection of healthy, flavorful recipes that satisfy every palate. Whether you’re hosting or attending, these dishes will keep the spirit bright and your wellness goals on track. Check out our delicious and nutritious recipes that encompass breakfast, lunch, dinner, and dessert below!
Gingerbread Blender Pancakes
Ingredients
4 large eggs
⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup almond flour (100g)
3.5 tablespoon coconut flour
2 tablespoon golden lankanto monkfruit sweetener (2-3 tbsp, or to taste)
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 tsp ground cinnamon
⅓ teaspoon ground nutmeg (or freshly grated)
¼ tsp salt
1 teaspoon baking powder gluten-free
coconut oil for frying
Instructions
Add the wet ingredients (eggs, almond milk and vanilla extract) to your blender. Then add the dry (almond flour, coconut flour, low carb sweetener, spices, salt and baking powder) and blitz to combine. Allow the dough to rest for 2 – 5 minutes to let the coconut batter thicken.
Heat a little coconut oil in a frying pan. Scoop about 3 tablespoons of batter into a hot pan and fry over a medium heat until you start to see bubbles on the edges, approx. 1 minute. Carefully flip using 1 or 2 spatulas and fry for 45 secs – 1min 15 secs, until golden on both sides. Do a test pancake to get the right cooking times. Continue with remaining batter.
Remove the pancakes from the pan and place on a wire rack to cool. They will firm up as they cool.
Grease the pan each time and repeat with the remaining batter.
Low Carb Breakfast Casserole with Sausage and Cheese (Gluten Free)
Ingredients
1 pound ground pork
6 large eggs
½ cup sour cream
¼ cup heavy cream
1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
½ cup diced onion
½ cup diced bell peppers
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8×8 baking dish.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sour cream, heavy cream, cheddar cheese, salt and pepper until combined.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until browned, breaking into small pieces with a wooden spoon as it cooks. Drain most of the grease and add sausage to the bowl with egg mixture.
Add the onion and peppers to the same skillet the sausage was cooked in. Saute 4-5 minutes until softened. Add egg mixture in bowl and stir to combine. Pour mixture into a baking dish and bake for 45-50 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and set and the center is just barely jiggly. Check with a toothpick, if it comes out clean in the center, it is done.
Egg Roll in a Bowl
Ingredients
3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce* divided (see instructions)
1 teaspoon cornstarch
16 ounces 90% or 93% lean ground turkey (to make vegetarian, swap crumbled extra-firm tofu; press it dry first)
8 ounces cremini mushrooms
3 cloves garlic
1 small bunch green onions divided
1 tablespoon canola oil, grapeseed oil, or similar neutrally flavored high-temperature cooking oil
1 (12-ounce) bag broccoli coleslaw1 cup grated carrots freshly grated from peeled carrots or store-bought
1 tablespoon fresh ginger minced (or one teaspoon ground ginger, though the flavor will be less bright)
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh chili paste or hot sauce of choice plus additional to taste
2 teaspoons sesame oil
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
For Serving:
Prepared brown rice
Prepared quinoa
Cauliflower rice
Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon of soy sauce and cornstarch with a fork. Add the turkey, breaking apart the meat and stirring to coat with the sauce. Let marinate for 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, chop the mushrooms very finely and mince the garlic. Thinly slice the green onions. If any of your other ingredients are not yet prepped, do it now.
Heat a wok or large, deep sauté pan over high heat. Add the oil and swirl to coat. Add the marinated turkey and cook, breaking the meat into small bits with a heatproof spatula, until it’s no longer pink and fully cooked through, about 5 minutes.
Add the green onions (reserve a small handful for serving) and mushrooms.
Cook until the mushrooms soften, about 2 additional minutes.
Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the broccoli coleslaw, carrots, ginger, and garlic to the mixture. Stir-fry for 2 minutes, until the vegetables are softened.
Add the rice vinegar, chili paste, sesame oil, black pepper, and remaining 2 tablespoons soy sauce, then stir to combine. Continue to cook for 1 additional minute. Taste and add additional soy sauce, hot sauce, or black pepper as desired. Scoop into serving bowls (over brown rice, quinoa, or cauliflower rice if desired). Serve hot, sprinkled with additional green onions.
Burrito Wraps
Ingredients
1 cup sour cream
½ cup salsa
2 cups cooked chicken
4-6 10-in. tortillas
2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
Toppings: Black beans, lettuce, cabbage, red pepper strips, and cheese
Instructions
Combine ranch dressing mix with sour cream, salsa and chicken in a saucepan set over medium heat. Cook for about 10 minutes, until thoroughly warmed through. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas and top with desired fillings. Serve immediately.
Slow Roasted Salmon with Chives and Lemon
Ingredients
4 salmon fillets (about 6 oz each)
1 lemon, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon lemon zest (optional)
Fresh chive sprigs for garnish (optional)
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 275°F. Place the salmon fillets on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the olive oil over the salmon, ensuring each fillet is well-coated. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Arrange the lemon slices over the top of the salmon fillets.
Roast the salmon in the preheated oven for about 25 minutes, or until it flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through. Remove the salmon from the oven and sprinkle with chopped chives and lemon zest (if using). Garnish with fresh chive sprigs for a vibrant presentation. Serve immediately, paired with your favorite sides.
Memorable Meatloaf
Ingredients
2 lbs ground beef
2 large eggs
4 Tablespoons ketchup
2 Tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
4 cloves garlic , minced (or 1 ½ teaspoons garlic powder)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dried sage
1/2 cup sweet onion , diced
1/2 cup breadcrumbs , or oats
Meatloaf Sauce:
1/2 cup ketchup
6 Tablespoons light brown sugar
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a standard size loaf pan with cooking spray.
Add all of the meatloaf ingredients to a large bowl and gently mix everything to combine (without over-working the meat). Add the meat mixture to a loaf pan and gently pat into an even layer.
Bake for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the meatloaf sauce by combining all ingredients in a bowl.
Remove meatloaf from the oven and spread sauce on top. Return to the oven for 10-20 minutes or until cooked through (160 degrees F). Allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
Guilt-Free Apple Crisp
Ingredients
Apple Filling
2 green apples granny smith diced into ½” pieces
½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1 tablespoon agave
Toppings
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup whole wheat flour
⅓ cup crushed pecans
¼ cup desiccated coconut
1 ½ tablespoon almond butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoon agave
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional sauce
4 medjool dates seeded
½ cup skim milk
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 F.
In a medium bowl mix apple with cinnamon, cornstarch, and agave. Layer the mixture in a casserole dish. In another medium dry bowl, mix all the ingredients listed under toppings. Spread this prepared streusel on the apple layer evenly. Cover the casserole dish with aluminium foil and bake in a preheated oven for 20 mins. Remove foil and bake for another 15-20 min until well done.
Optionally prepare the sauce to drizzle over the apple crisp by blending medjool dates with skim milk. Blend it until it gets to a smooth consistency.
Serve apple crisp warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and some drizzles of dates caramel sauce.
Almond Butter and Sea Salt Freezer Fudge
Ingredients
1 cup almond butter
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/2 tsp. sea salt
For the topping:
1 package chocolate chips
Sea salt for sprinkling
Instructions
Line a cake or brownie pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. In a small saucepan, heat the coconut oil, syrup and 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt until combined and smooth. Pour mixture into a bowl with the almond butter, and combine until liquid and smooth. Pour evenly into the baking pan, using a spatula to make it flat. Place the pan in the freezer for 90 minutes or until it’s solid.
During the last 10 minutes of freezing, place a metal bowl on top of a small saucepan (or, if you have a double boiler, use that), and heat the chocolate chips over low heat in the bowl to melt. Once it’s melted, remove from heat.
Remove the fudge from the freezer, and pull the parchment or foil out of the pan. Slice into 20 squares of about one inch each. Spoon the melted chocolate over each square, and sprinkle with sea salt. Place the squares back in the freezer to harden.
Enjoy These Guilt-Free Recipes
Whether you’re starting the day with a wholesome breakfast, serving a hearty lunch, or ending on a sweet note with a guilt-free dessert, these recipes are crafted to bring flavor and wellness to your celebrations. We hope these ideas inspire you to gather around the table with friends and family, savoring every bite of the season’s best while staying true to your health goals. Cheers from The Cottages to a festive, flavorful, and balanced holiday!
Let Us Help You Today!
We welcome the opportunity to speak with you about the care that our residents receive at our Idaho locations. We are experts in assisted living, memory care, respite, adult day care, and have been serving seniors for over 20 years. Our small home-like senior living homes and specially-trained team members offer an atmosphere that promotes the well-being of your loved one.
If you have any questions, would like to tour one of the Idaho assisted living or memory care homes, or speak with one of our licensed administrators, please fill out the form below. Please mention which location(s) you’re interested in.
