Looking for New Year Comfort Food That’s Still Healthy? Try These Easy, Quick Recipes From Health First

Health First Dietitian/Nutritionist Susie Bond provides quick and easy healthy recipes

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Celebrate the New Year by adding a few new, healthy food recipes to your dinner menu for family and guests to enjoy. 

Susie Bond, a Registered and Licensed Dietitian/Nutritionist with Health First Pro-Health & Fitness Center, provided some healthy holiday recipes and tips to start baking when you need something quick and easy. 

Roasted Cranberry Balsamic Chicken

A delicious holiday twist on a classic comfort food!

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 2 tbsp. butter
• ½ c. fresh cranberries
• 1/3 c. balsamic vinegar
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 6 sprigs rosemary
• 2 tsp. thyme leaves
• 1 tbsp. brown sugar
• Zest of 1 orange

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large oven-proof skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Add chicken, skin side down, and cook until the skin is golden and crispy, about 4 minutes. Remove chicken from heat and place on plate, skin side up.
2. Melt butter in the same skillet. Add cranberries, vinegar, garlic, brown sugar and orange zest. Return chicken to skillet and scatter herbs all around. Simmer until the liquid begins to thicken and the cranberries start to soften, 5 to 10 minutes.
3. Transfer to oven and cook until the chicken thighs are cooked through, 18 to 25 minutes more. 
4. Serve warm.

Yield: Six servings

Herb-Roasted Potatoes

After you try these, you’ll never go back to mashed potatoes!

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. baby potatoes, quartered
• ¼ c. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tbsp. freshly chopped rosemary
• 1 tbsp. freshly chopped parsley
• 1 tbsp. fresh thyme leaves
• Red pepper flakes

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss potatoes, oil, garlic and herbs. Season with salt, pepper and a pinch of red pepper flakes. Pour into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
2. Bake until potatoes are golden and fork-tender, about 40 minutes. 

Yield: Eight servings

Honey-Glazed Carrots

This dish is rich in the antioxidant beta-carotene, which promotes heart and eye health.

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup butter
• 2 tbsp. honey 
• ½ tsp. dried rosemary
• ½ tsp. garlic powder
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pounds of carrots, peeled and halved lengthwise
• Fresh thyme for garnish, if desired

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt butter. Stir in honey, rosemary and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper.
2. Place carrots on large baking sheet. Pour over glaze and toss until coated. 
3. Roast until caramelized and glazed, 35 to 40 minutes
4. Garnish with thyme, if desired, before serving

Yield: Six servings

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