Cooking during the holidays is an enjoyable experience. However, we don’t all have the dexterity or patience to pull off impressive culinary feats in the kitchen. We’ve gathered some recommendations for holiday recipes that are relatively simple to whip up, even on short notice. No matter if you’re a cooking pro or just learning the ropes as you enter retirement, we think you’ll find something to enjoy in these eight easy recipes curated with the holidays in mind.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes for the Holidays
Sometimes we get so caught up in preparing for the holidays that we forget to relax and enjoy the moment. Spend less time in the kitchen with these easy Christmas cookie recipes.
Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
If you consider yourself a fan of the classics, then you’re sure to enjoy this simple chocolate chip cookie recipe from I Heart Eating. The blog author claims that these soft cookies “can be made from scratch in less than 20 minutes” and you don’t even need an electric mixer.
View the recipe “and instructional video ” on the I Heart Eating blog.
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Traditional gingerbread cookies have a thin and crispy texture. This soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe is perfect for older adults who have difficulty chewing hard foods. Imagine the texture of a soft and chewy sugar cookie and your mind is on the right track.
Note that this recipe does not include eggs. You can also substitute dairy free butter and coconut milk in place of the regular butter and milk in the recipe for a non-dairy alternative.
View the recipe on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, a “tried-and-true” recipe blog.
Holiday Gingersnaps
The Cleveland Clinic describes this lower-calorie alternative to your standard Christmas cookie recipe as a “no-fuss ” but festive ” holiday treat.” Packed with cinnamon and ginger, these holiday gingersnaps are full of flavor. The recipe makes 45 cookies, perfect for sharing.
View the recipe on The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website.
Holiday Meal Inspiration: Delightful Side Dishes
Side dishes are often less intimidating to cook than the main course. We took to the internet in search of some of the more inspiring side dish recipes for the holiday season. We believe that any of these options could be a hit at your next holiday party or any other time of the year.
Healthy Mac and Cheese
Mac and cheese is a favorite for all ages. It also makes for a great addition to any holiday meal. This version of the famous dish cuts out some of the fat and calories, but still delivers on taste. You can make the stovetop recipe in a single medium pot and it only takes about 15 minutes.
View the recipe on ifoodreal, a blog featuring easy healthy recipes with simple ingredients.
Healthier Green Bean Casserole
Green bean casserole is a holiday favorite. This easy vegan green bean casserole recipe is not only healthier and more sophisticated than the original, but it also only takes about 30 minutes to put together the ingredients and the rest of the time is for baking the casserole in the oven.
View the recipe on Feasting at Home, a blog full of veggie-powered recipes.
Rosemary Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes
This festive spin on traditional mashed potatoes make for an easy side dish that you can prepare in about 15 minutes. Sweet potatoes have become a healthy favorite in recent years and for good reason. The sweetness of the potatoes complements the fresh rosemary and garlic flavors.
View the recipe on The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website.
Two Festive Main Course Recipes for the Holidays
Here are two options ” one with meat and one without ” for an enjoyable holiday meal that is sure to impress. Both of these recipes take a little over an hour to prepare and cook.
Turkey Meatloaf
The holidays are the perfect time for comfort food and this turkey meatloaf recipe is simple and delicious. Using ground turkey in your meatloaf means you don’t have to fuss with preparing the whole bird and it also is a healthier alternative to ground beef. Give it a try this holiday season!
View the five-star rated recipe on the Food.com website.
Best Vegetable Lasagna
This vegetable lasagna recipe includes plenty of cheese, vegetables, spinach, and a simple homemade tomato sauce. The made-from-scratch sauce is sure to impress any holiday guests. The end result is “a super flavorful, nutrient-dense, veggie-packed lasagna” that tastes great.
View the recipe on Cookie + Cake, a blog dedicated to fresh, vegetarian recipes.
Form New Holiday Traditions at Friendship Village
At Friendship Village of Bloomington, a senior living community in Bloomington, Minnesota, we embrace the holiday spirit through special on-site meals and activities. Many of our residents form connections with their neighbors to celebrate the holidays and start new traditions.
The Friendship Village of Bloomington independent living experience enables residents to fully enjoy retirement years and provides support on an as-needed basis to accomplish their wellness goals. We offer a variety of floor plans to suit every style so that residents can celebrate the holidays in comfort. And all of those floor plans come equipped with a kitchen for residents who enjoy cooking.
If you’d like to learn more about Friendship Village of Bloomington or see for yourself what makes our community so special, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your convenience.
