It’s that wonderful time of year once again when tables are laden with all of those delicious traditions: turkey with all the trimmings, sweet potato casserole, pumpkin pie. But for older adults with special dietary requirements, it can be hard to stick to a prescribed eating plan while enjoying the holiday festivities.
If you’re cooking for loved ones with special dietary needs, try some of these healthy recipes that the whole family can enjoy, courtesy of the Arizona home health care team at Nightingale Homecare:
Pumpkin Soup
- ¾ cup water
- 1 small chopped onion
- 1 15-oz. can pureed pumpkin
- 2 cups vegetable broth, unsalted
- ½ tsp. ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp. ground nutmeg
- 1 cup fat-free milk
- Black pepper
- 1 chopped green onion
Heat ¼ of the water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add chopped onion and cook about 3 minutes, until tender. Add the rest of the water, pumpkin, broth, cinnamon and nutmeg. Simmer for 5 minutes, and then add the milk and cook through (do not boil) until hot. Serve topped with green onion and black pepper.
Balsamic Roasted Turkey
- 1 whole turkey
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 4 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 3 – 4 garlic cloves
- ½ cup water
- 1 cup balsamic vinegar
- 1 cup defatted pan drippings
- 3 tbsp. brown sugar
Rub turkey with oil, a sprig of rosemary, and the garlic cloves. Place remaining rosemary and garlic in the turkey’s cavity and roast until done. While turkey is resting, deglaze the pan with ½ cup of water and separate out fit with a gravy separator. Warm together 1 cup of defatted pan drippings with brown sugar and vinegar, and drizzle over sliced turkey.
Cranberry Stuffing
- 1 cup chicken broth (low sodium)
- 1 cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped parsley
- 1 tsp. dried tarragon
- ½ tsp. paprika
- 1⁄8 tsp. ground nutmeg
- ½ cup chopped cranberries
- 1 cup water chestnuts
- 1 cup chopped apple
- 10 slices toasted whole wheat bread, cut into cubes
Cook celery and onion in chicken broth in large skillet about 5 minutes and remove from heat. Combine remaining ingredients in a large bowl and add in onion/celery/broth mixture. Cover with foil and bake in 2-quart baking dish for 20 minutes, and then uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
For more holiday meal tips for seniors, contact the Arizona home health care experts at Nightingale Homecare. We love helping older adults throughout the Phoenix area remain healthy – during the holidays, and throughout the year. We’re available to plan and prepare nutritious meals, provide friendly companionship to brighten each day, assist with personal care needs as well as medical needs met by a registered nurse, and so much more. Call us at (602) 504-1555 to let us know how we can help your senior loved one!
