Seven healthy dinner recipes for Christmas week

MAKE these healthy recipes for dinner this week, or save them for the weekend when the extended family descends.

An impressive looking dish that is so easy to make. Credit: BestRecipesTeam

IT’S Christmas week and the consumption has begun. Make these healthy dinner recipes this week, or save them for the weekend when the extended family descends.

MONDAY

Calamari stuffed with chorizo and halloumi is a great weeknight meal, as well as a welcome addition to the BBQ come Christmas or Boxing Day. This easy recipe looks impressive and is perfect for those who stave off the ‘fishier’ breed of seafood. Stuffed with chorizo and cheese it’s the dish you bring out to please the entire family … if that’s possible.

TUESDAY

Can’t go wrong with a bowl of hot garlicky prawns. Credit: BestRecipesTeam

Garlic prawns are a favourite whether it’s Christmas day or just a Tuesday. Serve in a family-style dish, or for a more intimate gathering in separate ramekins to ensure no prawn fights ensue. Because trust me, they will ensue.

WE DNESDAY

The perfect dish to serve with Bellinis at Christmas brunch.

This light, flavoursome dish is perfect for a warm weeknight and equally perfect if you’re the type to celebrate Christmas in the ‘am’. This smoked salmon brunch platter is fresh, nutritious and will keep you full just long enough to make it to the next sitting, ie. lunch.

THURSDAY

An easy weeknight meal amid the stress of the holidays.

This is the week to invest in a packet of risoni. These little pastas are the perfect ingredient to whip up mid-week, whether it be in a pasta dish or soup. They also go great in a cold salad. Make this lemon risoni with lentils and goat’s cheese before your Christmas party to line the stomach or on Christmas Day as a refuge from all the heavy roasted meat.

FRIDAY

Indulge with fresh oysters this Sunday.

At Christmas time Aussies like their seafood fresh and preferably served cold. Dish up these oysters with mignonette, creme fraîche and rhubarb as a delectable little starter come Christmas Day. Or whip them up this week for your Christmas gathering to get your friends and family into the festive spirit. Champagne accompaniment is highly recommended.

SATURDAY

A sweeter take on the nicoise salad.

This refreshing Jamie Oliver twist on the traditional nicoise salad is sure to light up the Christmas table. Or, if you’re still trying to keep it minimal before the ‘big one’ make this beetroot nicoise salad the night before for dinner. One of the only dishes this week without seafood, it’ll be popular reprieve from the heavier dishes we tend to consume this time of year.

SUNDAY

Ginger beer-glazed ham. You already know it’s going to be a winner.

A glazed ham had to make our list of Aussie Christmas recipes. If only because ham raffles kicked off a few weeks ago and surely every household has at least two of these giant hocks by now. This may not be the healthiest recipe we have ever featured, but Christmas is all about balance, and if you are going to indulge, this ginger beer-glazed ham by Colin Fassnidge is the dish with which to do it. Plus, you are essentially sorted with ham sandwiches and bacon and egg rolls for the next 3-5 weeks.

Looking for some healthy desserts to finish off the meal? Check out these healthy treats:

Mango Eaton mess

Masterchef Elena Duggan’s spiced barbecued pineapple with chocolate dip

Coconut protein ice block

Originally published as Seven healthy dinner recipes for Christmas week