3 simple hacks for healthy entertaining this festive season

The food coma can be avoided

Festive meals often leave us feeling jolly but sluggish. So how do you enjoy the holidays without needing a post-lunch lay down? We asked chef Sammy Jakubiak how to prepare a spread that's both delicious and healthy.  

Many of us see the holiday season as a write-off when it comes to sticking to our health goals. Big group meals are often carb-heavy to fill everyone up, and sweet treats are generously handed out throughout.

Plus, many of the healthier meal options for feeding large groups look less than flavourful, to say the least, so they’re not usually the first choice when entertaining.

Thankfully, co-founder of Sydney’s Frank’s Deli, Sammy Jakubiak is something of an expert when it comes to feeding the masses healthier dishes without sacrificing flavour. 

Learn your flavour pairings

Jakubiak told Body+Soul that learning which flavours go together is the key to good festive meals.

“Knowing your flavour pairings helps when entertaining and keeping it simple and healthy,” she tells Body+Soul. “For example, a simple sliced tomato salad is easily made amazing with the addition of salt, good olive oil, a herb like chives, parsley or basil, and a splash of good quality vinegar.

Add complex carbs

No matter how we approach a Christmas lunch, many of us still end up napping on a lounge after filling up on ham and sides. But Jakubiak has an easy trick to avoid this.

“A great way to make sure people are filling up without entering a food coma is to incorporate some complex carbohydrates”, she said. “Roasted potatoes or sweet potatoes are great, but also adding beans, or grains to a salad or as a side dish. It's also an inexpensive way of cooking.”

“A great way to make sure people are filling up without entering a food coma is to incorporate some complex carbohydrates”, she said. Image: iStock

Herbs are your best friend

The chef said flavour doesn’t need to be sacrificed when trying to keep your festive meals on the healthier side.

“Herbs are your best friend when making any meal taste great. Often when making healthier dishes you don't have as much fat to add flavour, but fresh herbs and vinegar and lemon juice is the best way to elevate and make healthier food more moreish,” she told Body+Soul.

Easy festive dishes to add to your table these holidays

Struggling with inspiration for festive meals that are healthier and yum? Jakubiak has you covered with these holiday favourites.

Tomato salad by Sammy Jakubiak. Image: Supplied

Tomato salad

Simply slice ripe tomatoes and add some diced chives or eschallots, good quality olive oil, vinegar and lots of salt and pepper. 

You can substitute the tomatoes for cucumbers if you’re after another fresh salad option. 

Tray baked chicken by Sammy Jakubiak. Image: Supplied

Tray baked chicken

Place a bed of sliced potato, fennel and some cherry tomatoes in a dish.

Lay some chicken pieces, thighs, Maryland, or other cuts on top. 

Finish with oregano or other dried herbs. 

Add lemon juice, garlic cloves with the skin on, olive oil and lots of seasoning. 

Bake at 170 degrees until the chicken is cooked through. 

Caesar salad with green goddess sauce by Sammy Jakubiak. Image: Supplied

Caesar salad with a green goddess sauce

A great one to use leftovers from Christmas – with turkey, ham, chicken or prawns.

To make a green goddess sauce, blend one cup of mixed herbs (parsley, coriander, dill and mint), half of a cup of rocket or spinach leaves, two chopped spring onions (green parts only), two tablespoons of tarragon leaves, 100 grams of natural yoghurt, one cup of grated parmesan, one tablespoon of whole-egg mayonnaise, one finely grated garlic clove, half of a teaspoon of sea salt, one tablespoon of lemon juice, one tablespoon of apple cider vinegar, and half of a teaspoon of freshly cracked pepper.

Add some extra lemon juice or vinegar if needed.

Pour sauce on washed cos lettuce with an extra grating of parmesan, some pangratto, crispy bacon and a soft-boiled egg. 

 Jakubiak said this looks great on the Christmas table and is easy to premake when entertaining, plus the sauce will stay fresh for three days in the fridge. 

If you want to see how Sammy cooks delicious, healthy meals for the holiday season, head to her demonstration at the Good Food and Wine Show Christmas Market in Sydney on November 24th. Tickets are available here.

Originally published as 3 simple hacks for healthy entertaining this festive season