Christmas treats?

Question

My mother has just been told that her colesterol level isn't too good and she also has had high blood pressure for years. She's doing well with her day to day diet but there's no denying it can be a bit boring. With Christmas coming up I want her to be able to have a few goodies and would like any suggestions for good recipes, cook books or any web sites that might be able to help her enjoy some treats that are made with the right ingredients to suit the diet of a colesterol watching, high blood pressure sufferer.

Thank you

Answer 1

try these....smile...

Fat Free Chocolate Peppermint Meringue Cookies

Prep Time : 10min
Cook Time : 1hr

Chocolate Peppermint Meringue Cookies
INGREDIENTS:
2 tbsp cocoa powder
1/2 cup baker’s (ultrafine) sugar
2 large egg whites
1/4 tsp cream of tartar
Pinch of salt
1/2 tsp peppermint extract

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or use silicone mats. In a small bowl, sift together the cocoa powder and sugar. In a large bowl, beat egg whites, cream of tartar and salt with an electric mixer until soft peaks form.

Add the cocoa mixture one tablespoon at a time, mixing between additions. Add peppermint extract and mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoonful on to baking sheets. Place in the oven for 1 hour. Turn off oven and leave door slightly open. Leave meringues for at least 2 hours or overnight. Store in an airtight container.
Yield: Approx 30 meringue cookies.

Per cookie: Calories 15, Calories from Fat 0g, Cholesterol, 0mg, Sodium 1mg, Carbohydrates 3.5g, Fiber 0.1g, Protein 0.3g
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Low Fat Chocolate Chip Cookies

It's hard to believe these chocolate chip cookies are low fat. By using half the normal amount of butter, and substituting an egg white for a whole egg, these make a wonderful and almost guilt-free indulgence. The chocolate flavor is enhanced by using cocoa powder as well as the chocolate chips. And by using mini chocolate chips, we're making a smaller quantity go a long way.

INGREDIENTS:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg white
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/3 cup miniature chocolate chips

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat butter and sugars together with an electric mixer until creamy. Add egg white and vanilla and mix until well blended.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda, salt and cocoa powder.


Gradually add flour mixture to egg and sugar. Use a wooden spoon to work the dough together. Don’t worry if the dough seems a little crumbly at first. Stir in chocolate chips.
Drop cookie dough by the teaspoonful on to a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat if you have one.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 30 cookies

Per Serving: Calories 65, Calories from Fat 21, Total Fat 2.3g (sat 1.8g), Cholesterol 5mg, Sodium 44mg, Carbohydrate 10.3g, Fiber 0.5g, Protein 0.7g
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Low Fat Lemon Bars


These moist, tangy lemon bars are a wonderful low fat treat. Take some along to your next family picnic or gathering. You might want to make two batches, as they will disappear fast.

INGREDIENTS:
For the Base:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup quick oats
3 tbsp butter
For theTopping:
1 egg
1 egg white
1 cup sugar
3 tbs flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
Juice and zest of 1 large lemon
Confectioner's sugar, sifted, for sprinkling

PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
Combine flour, oats and sugar in a medium bowl. Using a pastry blender, add butter and blend until the mixture is crumbly.

Press crumbs into the bottom of the baking pan. Bake for 10 minutes until edges are golden.

Meanwhile, whisk egg and egg white. Add sugar and beat until creamy. Add flour, baking powder, salt and lemon; whisk until smooth.

Pour lemon mixture over pre-baked base. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until center is set.

Cool in pan for 15 minutes, then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 16 squares.

Per Serving: Calories 133, Calories from Fat 24, Total Fat 2.8g (sat 1.4g), Cholesterol 19mg, Sodium 15mg, Carbohydrate 25.1g, Fiber 0.1g, Protein 2.1g
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Christmas Fruit Platter Healthy Holiday Recipe
Ingredients:
2-1/4 cups fresh or frozen raspberries, rinsed or partially thawed, if frozen
2 tablespoons orange liqueur or fresh orange juice
1 3-pound fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, quartered lengthwise and cut crosswise into thin slices
2 navel oranges, peeled and sliced crosswise into thin slices
6 kiwi fruit, peeled and thinly sliced

Directions:
In a food process or blender, combine raspberries and orange liqueur. Puree until smooth. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

On a large platter, overlap slices of each fruit, starting with pineapple at each end of the platter and orange slices down the middle. Fill in the remaining area with kiwi slices. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

To serve, drizzle raspberry sauce over fruit.

Nutrition information per serving:
Calories: 83
Protein: 1g
Total fat: 1g
Carbohydrate: 20g
Fiber: 4g
Cholesterol: 0
Sodium: 3mg
Exchanges: 1-1/2 Carbohydrate/1-1/2 Fruit
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Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chunk-Nut "Zero Cholesterol Cookies"


Ingredients:

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup white sugar

10 tbsp. vegetable shortening (about 1 cup)

2 1/4 cup flour

2 egg whites

1 tsp. baking soda

1 1/2 tsp. pure vanilla

1 1/4 cups chocolate chips

1 cup chocolate chunks

1 cup walnut pieces

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Beat egg whites, add in shortening, both sugars and vanilla, mix in a large bowl. Combine baking soda and flour, add to cookie batter 1/2 cup at a time beating until blended. Fold in chocolate chips, chocolate chunks and Walnut pieces until well mixed. Roll into balls - flatten in hand like you would a hamburger patty, place on ungreased cookie sheet; or you could drop by rounded tablespoon for a less uniform cookie.


Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Beat egg whites, add in shortening, both sugars and vanilla, mix in a large bowl. Combine baking soda and flour, add to cookie batter 1/2 cup at a time beating until blended. Fold in chocolate chips, chocolate chunks and Walnut pieces until well mixed. Roll into balls - flatten in hand like you would a hamburger patty, place on ungreased cookie sheet; or you could drop by rounded tablespoon for a less uniform cookie.

Bake 10 - 13 minutes or until done. Time depends on if you like a soft or harder cookie. Remove from pan to wire rack to cool.

Makes 2 dozen large cookies or 3 dozen dropped cookies

Chocolate Chip, Chocolate Chunk-Nut Christmas Cookies Cut-Outs: Prepare dough ahead of time, make balls of dough, refrigerate overnight wrapped in wax paper. When ready to prepare take wrapped dough out of the refrigerator one ball at a time, lightly flour wax paper and hand shape the dough to a flat round piece of dough, to get a more consistent piece of dough you may flour a rolling pin and lightly roll out dough. Use Christmas cookie cutters to cut out dough in shapes of Christmas trees, stars, bells, etc.

Quick and Easy Christmas Cut-Outs: after dough is refrigerated following directions above to cut out dough in shapes of Christmas trees, stars and bells-- place shaped cookie dough in the freezer on a baking pan. Once frozen pop off pan and place in a freezer bag or other freezer container. If you have unexpected guests, simply preheat oven, take cookies out place on a cookie sheet and bake. Have fresh baked cookies anytime using this method.

Tip: you may omit the walnuts if you prefer a cookie without nuts. Or use Pecans in place of walnuts.
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Lowfat Cheesecake

1 envelope unflavored gelatin
1/2 cups skim milk (I use 1%)
1 container (16 0z.) of lowfat cottage cheese 1%
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp. orange peel
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 cup grahm cracker crumbs
2 TBLSP butter, melted
1 cup each fresh strawberry halves and raspberries, or 2 cups of one or the other.
1/4 cup seedless rasberry preserves
1 TBLSP water

In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over milk, set aside to soften, about 5 minutes. Place saucepan over very low heat; cook stirring constantly until gelatin is dissolved, 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and cool slightly.

In a food processor with the metal blade, or in a blender, process cottage cheese, sugar, orange peel and salt until smooth. With the processor running, slowly add the gelatin mixture. Spoon mixture into a 9" heart shaped baking pan (6.5 cups) or an 8x1 1/2 round baking pan.
Note: I put parchment paper in the bottom and around the sides of a cake pan, this helped in the eventual removal of the cake.

In a small bowl, combine grahm cracker crumbs and butter, sprinkle over cheesecake mixture. Cover and refrigerate until firm 2-3 hours.
Note: I used gingersnaps this time for the crust. IMHO, the crust is a little skimpy, but that is part of the lowfat nature of the cake. I made a double crust recipe, that was too much, but if I made it again and I wasn't real strict, I might make 1 and a half times the crust part. Depends on the pan too, a cake pan has more bottom surface and a thinner cake than a heart shaped pan. You might be able to use a prepared store bought crust too.

To unmold: using a metal spatula or knife, loosen edge around pan, quickly dip into warm water, unmold onto a serving platter. (With parchment you can skip the warm water dip).

Arrange strawberries and raspberries in rows across cheesecake. In a small saucepan, melt raspberry preserves and water. Brush glaze over berries. Refrigerate until preserves are cold, about 30 min.

This is super easy, the only trick is having time to chill it. I made it earlier in the day, put the glaze on before dinner and it was ready when we all wanted dessert. If the cake sits for days (like all desserts do around here) the crust deteriorates in quality.

This cake makes a gorgeous presentation.

Answer 2

How about colored popcorn balls? In red or green food coloring, and corn syrup? Years and years ago, people made them for the kids along with cookies or Christmas tarts. Chocolate covered cherries are good. But maybe too expensive to make. How about some ribbon candy or taffy after pulling it yourself and breaking it into pieces when it's laid out to harden? There are Rice Krispie Treats, made with the cereal and marshmellows, and there's always fudge you make in a sheet cake pan. And gingerbread squares too. A combination of any of these I'm sure would be very well accepted. Just stack them in some colored cellophane and tie with some ribbon. You can use a small paper plate to stack them on. Use toothpicks to stick them all together so that none fall over if you find that easier. Hope this gives you a few ideas.

Answer 3

a non dairy ice cream called swedish glaze has no fat and is perfect.
If your mum likes cakes then may i sugest you make your own.
if you miss out the eggs and use a whole egg replacer this cuts down the colesterol. a soya margarine in place of normal margarine is another cut in colesterol, add a few drops of vanilla escence to give the basic cake mixture a nice taste. you can add chopped apple and cinnamin to spice it up a bit.

Answer 4

Try allrecipes.com

It is a terrific site and has an entire section devoted to healthy recipes.

Answer 5

Try these 3 sites and you should have PLENTY of recipes to choose from all for free.

www.recipezaar.com
www.allrecipes.com
www.recipegoldmine.com

Good luck.

Answer 6

DATE NUT BALLS (CHRISTMAS TREAT)

1/2 c. butter
1 1/2 c. chopped dates
1/3 c. chopped maraschino cherries
3/4 c. sugar
3 c. Rice Krispies
1 c. chopped pecans

Put butter, dates, cherries and sugar into a medium saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until mixture becomes a soft paste. Remove from heat. Add cereal and pecans. Mix well. Use a level tablespoon and make balls. Place on waxed paper to cool.

THUMBPRINT COOKIES WITH EQUAL

47% calorie reduction from traditional recipe.

6 tablespoons stick butter
1 cup Equal® Spoonful*
1 egg
2 tablespoons 2% milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup sugar-free preserves or spreadable fruit of choice

Beat butter and Equal® until well combined. Mix in egg, milk and vanilla until blended. Gradually beat in combined flour, baking powder and soda and salt.
Shape dough by teaspoonfuls into balls. Place on sprayed cookie sheets. Press thumb deeply into dough to form a “thumbprint” indentation. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 11 to 13 minutes. Remove from baking sheet and cool completely on wire rack. Fill each cookie with about 1/2 teaspoon spreadable fruit just before serving.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

* May substitute 24 packets Equal® sweetener

SUGAR-FREE PUMPKIN COOKIES

1/2 c. corn oil
2 eggs
Sugar substitute to equal 1 c. sugar
2 c. flour
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. nutmeg
1 c. pumpkin
2 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ginger
1 tsp. baking soda
1 c. raisins
1 c. nutmeats

Beat oil and eggs until well emulsified. Add sugar substitute and beat until fluffy. Add pumpkin, then the dry ingredients. Add raisins and nuts. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 minutes.
Makes 3 dozen.

CREAM CHEESE AND JELLY COOKIES WITH
EQUAL

22% calorie reduction from traditional recipe.

3/4 cup stick butter, softened
1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese, softened
1/3 cup Equal® Spoonful*
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup spreadable fruit

Beat butter, cream cheese and Equal® in medium bowl until fluffy; mix in flour and salt to form a soft dough. Cover and refrigerate until dough is firm, about 3 hours.
Roll dough on lightly floured circle 1/8 inch thick; cut into rounds with 3-inch cutter. Place rounded 1/4 teaspoon spreadable fruit in center of each round; fold rounds into halves and crimp edges firmly with tines of fork. Pierce tops of cookies with tip of sharp knife. Bake cookies on greased cookie sheets in preheated 350°F oven until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Makes 3 dozen.

* May substitute 8 packets Equal® sweetener

Answer 7

www.allrecipes.com is a good place to start

Answer 8

Sorry!!!
None.

Answer 9

http://www.angelfire.com/journal/wwrecipes/index.html