Suprising Side Dishes

Freshen up your holiday repertoire with these tasty sides. Each is 2 carb servings or less. Your guests won't realize these trimmings are good for them!
  
Fruit with Cider Sauce

This medley of fruit and jicama chilled in spiced cider adds a refreshing note to your meals.

Serves 8 (1/2 cup each)

3/4 cup apple cider or apple juice
2 cinnamon sticks (~ 1/2 inch each)
1 can 20-ounce pineapple chunks (juice packed), drained
1 large grapefruit, peeled, sectioned, and seeded
3 kiwi fruits peeled and cut into 1/4–inch slices
1 cup jicama, peeled and cut into bite-size sticks

1. In a small saucepan, combine apple cider and cinnamon sticks. Bring to boil; reduce heat. Gently boil uncovered, about 8 minutes or until reduced to 1/2 cup liquid. Remove from heat and cool for 10 minutes. Discard cinnamon.
2. In serving bowl, combine fruit and jicama. Pour in reduced cider. Gently stir to combine.
3. Cover and chill up to 4 hours before serving.

Per serving: 93 cal, 0 g total fat, 0 mg chol, 4 mg sodium, 23 g carb, 2 g fiber, 1 g pro
Exchanges: 1.5 fruit.  Carb choices 1.5.  

Cheddar Maple Squash

Sweet and salty ingredients combine together to make this squash dish a rich pleasure. Small amounts of cheese and bacon lend a bold flavor without overdoing the sodium and fat.

Serves 4 (1/2 cup each)

1 1/2 pounds butternut squash, peeled, halved, seeded and cut into1 1/2-inch cubes (~3 cups)
2 ounces aged cheddar cheese (reduced fat preferable), coarsely shredded (1/2 cup)
1 tablespoon snipped fresh sage, or 1/2 teaspoon dried sage, crushed
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
2 slices cooked turkey bacon

1. In a covered medium saucepan, cook squash in enough boiling water to cover for about 15 minutes or until tender; drain and return squash to saucepan.
2. Using a potato masher or electric mixer, mash drained squash. Stir in the cheese, sage, and syrup.
3. Chop the cooked turkey bacon and sprinkle on squash.

Per serving:  136 cal, 6 g total fat, (3 g sat. fat), 22 mg cholesterol, 183 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrate, 2 g fiber, 6 g protein.
Exchanges: 1 starch; 0.5 high fat meat; carb choice 1.

Houston's Greatest Hits: Recipes from Past Issues of Seniors Digest

Healthy Holiday Favorites: Green Bean Casserole and Buttermilk Mashed Potatoes (December 2008)

Shrimp Tex-Mex Salad (July 2007)

Slimmer Fettucine Alfredo (February 2007)

A Simple Summer Meal: Citrus and Beet Spinach Salad with Raspberry Marinated Salmon (June 2006)

Southern "Un-Fried" Chicken (February 2006)