How To Cook Christmas Dinner for One
Pritikin Executive Chef and cooking school instructor, Vincenzo Della Polla shares healthy Christmas dinner recipes for one.
One of the best things about cooking for just yourself is that you know what you like. There is no trying to please someone else. This should be taken as a benefit as it’ll give you a chance to experiment without trying to feel like you need to satisfy everyone’s taste buds at the dinner table.
If you have never tried something like grilling a buffalo filet mignon or pan-searing jumbo scallops, get out of your comfort zone and try it! You’ll be impressed to see just how fun and enjoyable cooking for just one can really be!
Newsweek recently shared these Pritikin recipes in the feature article, What To Do If You’re Spending Christmas Day Alone.
Lemon Braised Salmon
Materials
- 4 4-ounce salmon fillets
- 1 teaspoon All-Purpose Seasoning Salt-Free or Low Sodium
- 1 teaspoon Mrs Dash (ground spice blend) Salt-Free or Low Sodium
- 2 lemons juiced and zested
- 3 tablespoons white wine
Instructions
- Season fish with seasoning
- In a medium-hot skillet sear one side until brown
- Combine all the other ingredients in a bowl then pour over fish and cover.
- Cook for two minutes. You do not need to flip the fish.
Notes
A good accompaniment:
whole grain rice blend, cous cous, quinoa, corn, spinach or vegetable mashed potato. Always! Always! Add vegetables.Chef Notes:
Try using other citrus. Also try other proteins like mahi mahi, chicken, and even tofu!If you want an easy side dish, try just sautéing some asparagus or broccolini with a bit of cooking spray. Add minced garlic, lemon juice, a dash of low-sodium chicken or veggie broth and cover it. You’re in business within five minutes.”
A simple dessert that would be a healthy take on a classic is our crispy apple turnover. You can try substituting peaches, mango, or even bananas,
Crispy Apple Turnovers
Materials
- 6 cups Granny Smith apples peeled, cored, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon ground
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 cup apple juice concentrate
- 3 whole wheat wraps cut into quarters
- corn starch as needed to thicken at the end
Instructions
- Add apples, concentrate, lemon, cinnamon, and vanilla to skillet and turn on high.
- Cook until the apples are soft but not breaking apart.
- Add the cornstarch until looks like apple pie filling.
- Cool apples and roll in a tortilla.
- Bake until crispy at 350F, about 10 minutes.
