Christmas is approaching soon and everyone is feeling the vibes of seasonal cheers. 2020 has been a challenging year for most of us with the Covid-19 pandemic. For safety purpose, it is a good idea to take the opportunity to sit down with family and friends at home while enjoying healthy and nutritious home-cooked meals during the festive holidays.
If you’re still thinking on what dishes to prepare this Christmas, don’t fret as help is on its way! Here are a few wonderful U.S. potato-inspired festive dishes for your consideration! Why U.S. Potatoes, you ask? It’s because U.S. Potatoes are nutritious, healthy, and versatile. Using them, you can create a wide variety of recipes ranging from soup, appetizers, main course, and even desserts!
Have Yourself a Merry Healthy Christmas!
According to our very own homegrown dietitian, Indra Balaratnam, Christmas could be a stressful season for some and might lead to over-eating. Remember, festive dishes should not only look appealing, but also nutritious. The good news is, we can include U.S. potatoes into our holiday meal to make it both delicious and nutritious!
Benefits of U.S. Potatoes
- An excellent source of vitamin C (30% of the Daily Value)
Vitamin C is crucial to strengthen the body’s immune system. We need natural Vitamin C all year round to stay healthy! - U.S. Potato provides 15% of our daily potassium intake
Potassium is a mineral and electrolyte that is crucial for muscles and nerves to function well. When you sweat, potassium will deplete. Hence, it needs to be replenished to maintain optimal performance.
Fun fact: A medium potato contains more potassium than a medium banana - Source of fibre
Consuming a medium U.S. Potato with skin entitles you to 2 grams of fiber which helps you to feel full for a longer period. This will in turn help you to avoid over-eating and gain unnecessary weight during the festive season especially when your job is keeping you sedentary. - Energy provider
Christmas means active routines like tidying the house and running around to find that perfect gift. All these require extra fuel! A medium U.S. Potato is a great choice for providing you 110 easy-to-digest calories, zero fat and lets you have a “less fat” Christmas feasting!
Here are the two nutritious and healthy recipes that Indra has shared for the Christmas holidays. Try these recipes this coming festive celebrations and surprise your loved ones with healthy Christmas dishes!
U.S. Russet Potatoes Mushroom Cheese Casserole Recipe
U.S. Russet Potatoes Mushroom Cheese Casserole
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 450 g U.S. Russet Potato 2 medium sized, thinly sized
- 200 g White button mushroom
- 100 g Yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 2 cloves Garlic finely minced
- 1 tbsp Wheat flour
- 250 ml Skimmed milk
- 120 g Low-fat cheese 6 slices low-fat cheese slices
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black pepper
- ½ tsp Cayenne pepper optional
- ½ tsp English parsley to garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C
- Line the thinly sliced U.S. potatoes into a lightly buttered baking dish
- Melt butter in a small pot over low-medium heat
- Add in onion and mushroom to cook, stirring occasionally until tender (about 5 minutes)
- Stir in flour, then slowly add in the skimmed milk and stir till well combined. Bring to a slight simmer
- Stir in the low-fat cheese, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper
- Pour mixture into prepared baking dish, then spread out to coat the thinly sliced potatoes
- Bake in the oven uncovered for 45 minutes
- After 45 minutes, cover with foil and continue to bake for another 10 minutes
- Garnish with finely chopped English parsley
Notes
Calories: 160
Protein: 8g
Total fat: 5g
Saturated fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fibre: 2g
Cholesterol: 17mg
Sodium: 372mg Vitamin A: 404 IU
Vitamin C: 7mg
Calcium: 177 mg
Potassium: 591mg
Iron: 1mg
Video tutorial: https://uspotatogoodness.com.my/recipes/christmas-special-u-s-russet-potatoes-mushroom-cheese-casserole-by-indra-balaratnam/
Honey Mustard Glazed Hasselback U.S. Potatoes
Honey Mustard Glazed Hasselback U.S. Potatoes
Equipment
- Oven
Ingredients
- 1 kg U.S. Potato mix of U.S. Russets, U.S. Red Potatoes or U.S. Blue-Purple Potatoes
- 2 tsp Olive Oil
To make the Honey Mustard Glaze
- 2 tbsp Unsalted Butter melted
- 4 tsp Honey
- 4 tsp Lemon Juice
- 2 tsp Mustard
- ½ tsp Salt
- ½ tsp Black Pepper grounded
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 200°C
- Wash and pat dry the U.S. Potatoes
- Slice the U.S. Potatoes into thinly Hasselback-style and arrange on a baking tray lined with baking paper
- Lightly brush the U.S. Potatoes with a little olive oil and bake for 30 minutes
- Mix all the ingredients for the honey mustard glaze into a small bowl
- After 30 minutes, remove the potatoes from the oven, brush them with half the honey mustard glaze, and return to bake 10 more minutes
- After 10 minutes, brush the potatoes with the rest of the honey mustard glaze and bake for another 10 minutes till cooked
- Remove from oven and season with salt and black pepper
Notes
Calories: 195
Protein: 4g
Total fat: 6g
Saturated fat: 3g
Carbohydrates: 34g
Fibre: 2g
Cholesterol: 10mg
Sodium: 58mg Vitamin A: 122IU
Vitamin C: 11mg
Calcium: 24 mg
Potassium: 705mg
Iron: 1mg
Vitamin B6: 1mg
Video tutorial: https://uspotatogoodness.com.my/recipes/christmas-special-honey-mustard-glazed-hasselback-u-s-potatoes-by-indra-balaratnam/
What is your favorite U.S. Potato dish for Christmas?
By the way, if your new year resolution in 2021 includes being more active physically, don’t forget to include U.S. potatoes into your diet. It can provide a lot of nutrients you need to perform at your best. This includes complex carbohydrates, fiber, potassium and vitamin C.
I hope you’ll have fun experimenting with these dishes above. Wishing you and your family a Healthy Christmas and a Happy New Year!!
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