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Holiday Brunch

Posted at: 12/11/2012 2:29 PM
Updated at: 12/13/2012 4:20 AM

 

The holidays means two things for most people – family/friends and food!  At some point during the holidays, many of us either attend or host a holiday brunch.  Brunch can be just as festive and fun as other holiday meals.  

Your Hy-Vee Registered Dietitian, Jen Haugen, will share some helpful tips and show a tasty recipe for your next holiday brunch.


Keep it simple
Do not try to accommodate everyone’s personal favorite.  Include a grain, fruit and protein.  To really keep it simple, try to prepare as many dishes as you can the day prior.  

Keep it healthy
Try to include extra nutrients into your holiday brunch by using fresh or dried fruit and whole
grains.  Go light on the sugar by using spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla and fruits.        

Get your family/friends involved
It is no fun to be alone in the kitchen.  Delegate tasks to your loved ones.  Even little
hands can help by washing fresh fruit or by setting the table.  Use this time in the kitchen
to spend some quality time with those you love.

Holiday Cranberry Granola Apple Parfait

All you need

  • 1 Honeycrisp apple
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 1/8 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 (6 oz each) containers Hy-Vee vanilla Greek yogurt, divided
  • 1/2 cup prepared Cranberry Almond Granola, divided (see recipe below)

All you do
1.    Core and dice Honeycrisp apple.  In small bowl, combine apple, honey and cinnamon. Set aside.
2.    In 2 parfait glasses, alternately layer yogurt, apple mixture and granola; repeat layers.

Nutrition facts per serving: 340 calories, 6 g fat, 0 g saturated fat, 10 mg cholesterol, 110 mg sodium, 54 g carbohydrate, 6 g fiber, 40 g sugar, 19 g protein.  
Daily values: Vitamin A 2%, Vitamin C 10%, Calcium 20%, Iron 6%.
Serves 2

Cranberry-Almond Granola

All you need

  • 2/3 cup frozen unsweetened apple juice concentrate, thawed
  • 1/2 cup maple syrup
  • 1/3 cup almond oil or canola oil
  • 1/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp salt, or to taste
  • 5 cups rolled oats (not quick-cooking)
  • 1 cup toasted wheat germ
  • 1 cup whole almonds, coarsely chopped (4-1/2 ounces)
  • 1/2 cup sunflower seeds (2 ounces)
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, divided

All you do
1.    Position racks in top and bottom of oven; preheat to 325 degrees. Coat 2 rimmed baking sheets with cooking spray.
2.    Whisk apple juice concentrate, syrup, oil and sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; stir in cinnamon and salt. Mix oats, wheat germ, almonds and sunflower seeds in a large bowl. Stir in the juice mixture; toss to coat. Spread on the prepared baking sheets.
3.    Bake for 15 minutes, stirring once or twice. Reverse sheets top to bottom and back to front. Bake, stirring frequently, about 15 minutes more. Transfer to wire racks; stir in dried cranberries. Let cool completely.

To make ahead: Store airtight for up to 2 months.

Nutrition facts per serving: 263 calories; 11g fat (1g sat, 6g mono); 0mg cholesterol; 37g carbohydrate; 12g added sugars; 6g protein; 5g fiber; 66mg sodium; 223mg potassium.
Source: adapted from Eating Well, Inc.
Serves 19 (1/2 cup each)

Jen Haugen represents Hy-Vee as a nutrition expert promoting healthy eating throughout the community.  Jen Haugen is a member of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.