A Festive, Sustainable December: Recipes, Meal Prep, and More
Salut and joyeuses fêtes ! December is here, bringing holiday festivities, delicious meals, and a chance to reflect on the year. But it can also be a time of stress, overindulgence, and waste. What if we could enjoy the season while staying mindful of our health, time, and the environment? Let’s make it a festive, sustainable December!
This post is your guide to doing just that—with festive recipes, practical meal prep advice, and eco-friendly tips to help you celebrate a delicious, sustainable holiday season.
Meal Prep for a Busy December
The holiday hustle can leave little time for daily cooking, but meal prep is here to save the day. By setting aside a little time to prepare ahead, you can enjoy stress-free, healthy meals even on your busiest days.
Batch-Cook Comforting Curries and Soups
Meals like simple Chickpea and Spinach Curry, a meal I threw together with ingredients I had had on hand, no recipe, and it turned out so delicious! Quick and flavorful curry with chickpeas, spinach (or kale), coconut milk, and your favorite spices (like cumin, turmeric, and ginger). I added a curry cube to mine. Serve over basmati rice, cauliflower rice or with naan. Lazy Monday Cumin Sweet Potato Soup, or Scandinavian Split Pea Soup are perfect too. All are freezer-friendly and packed with nutrients. Cook a big pot, portion it out, and freeze for quick, hearty meals.
Prep Festive Salad Jars
Layer roasted winter vegetables, cooked grains (like farro or quinoa), greens, and toppings like nuts or dried fruit in mason jars. Keep the dressing separate, and you have a grab-and-go meal that feels fresh and festive. My Sunny Spinach Quinoa Salad would be perfect, and see my new favorite December salad idea below!
Holiday Breakfasts Made Easy
Whip up a batch of Fennel Granola to have with yogurt and fruit, or spiced muffins with leftover pumpkin puree, or prep jars of overnight oats flavored with cinnamon, nutmeg, and maple syrup. These breakfasts are quick, nutritious, and perfect for chilly mornings.
5 Sustainability Tips for the Holidays
The holidays don’t have to come with a mountain of waste. Here are five simple ways to celebrate sustainably while enjoying delicious food:
1. Plan Portions Thoughtfully
Avoid over-buying by planning ahead to estimate how much food you’ll need. I like to make my list on Notes on my iPhone. This helps prevent waste and saves money.
2. Repurpose Leftovers Creatively
- Leftover roasted vegetables? Blend them into a soup, make a curry or add them to an omelette.
- Stale bread? Turn it into croutons, stuffing, or bread pudding.
- Stuff a squash!
3. Compost Your Scraps
Holiday cooking often produces scraps like vegetable peels, fruit skins, and herb stems. Composting these instead of tossing them reduces landfill waste and gives back to the earth.
4. Use Reusable Wrapping Materials
Skip single-use wrapping paper and get creative: wrap gifts in cloth napkins, scarves, or old newspapers decorated with festive stamps.
5. Embrace Plant-Based Meals
Meat-heavy meals are often the centerpiece of holiday celebrations, but incorporating plant-based dishes can lower your environmental impact. Plus, dishes like the Cranberry-Stuffed Acorn Squash prove that plants can steal the show!
Festive Recipes
First of all, I have to tell you about the healthy, delicious, festive salad I’ve been making this week, perfect for a (large) jar, and so beautiful!
First in jar is a little goat cheese (skip for vegan), then pomegranate seeds, pistachios, hemp or flax seeds, chickpeas, celery, broccoli, jarred artichoke, and lastly add a mix of lettuces and some radicchio. Feel the healthy, and the deliciousness! All you need is a balsamic vinaigrette and this salad is perfection.
Cranberry-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Nothing says the holidays like a dish that’s as beautiful as it is flavorful. This recipe that I posted last week for Cranberry-Stuffed Acorn Squash is a plant-based star that fits perfectly as a vegetarian main or an eye-catching side dish.
Baked Falafel Wreath
Falalalalafel! A baked falafel wreath is a fun, festive twist on traditional falafel that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. Start with my Easy Chickpea Falafel recipe, forming patties instead of balls. Then proceed as follows:
- Arrange in a wreath shape: On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the falafel patties in a circle, slightly overlapping the edges to form a “wreath.” Leave enough space in the center to place your dipping sauce later.
- Bake: Brush the falafel lightly with olive oil and bake for 20-25 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and slightly crispy.
- Decorate: Once the falafel has cooled slightly, transfer the wreath to a serving platter. Tuck rosemary sprigs between the falafel to mimic evergreen branches and scatter cherry tomatoes or pomegranate seeds on top for a festive pop of color.
- Serve: Place a bowl of hummus or tahini sauce in the center for dipping, and enjoy!
Falafel Wreath Serving suggestions:
- Classic Hummus: A creamy, traditional pairing that complements the falafel’s flavors.
- Tahini Sauce: A tangy, nutty drizzle with lemon juice and garlic for brightness.
- Herbed Yogurt Sauce: Mix plain yogurt (or plant-based yogurt) with fresh dill, mint, garlic, and a squeeze of lemon.
- Warm Flatbreads or Pita: Serve fresh pita or naan bread to scoop up falafel and dips.
- Tabbouleh Salad: A refreshing mix of parsley, bulgur, tomatoes, and lemon juice for a zesty contrast.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try a mix of carrots, zucchini, and red peppers with olive oil and za’atar seasoning.
- Pickled Vegetables: Quick-pickled red onions, cucumbers, or radishes add a tangy crunch.
Pomegranate & Dark Chocolate Bark
And a perfectly paired dessert? How about Pomegranate & Dark Chocolate Bark? So festive, and it includes my favorite, pistachios! Include the bark as part of a dessert platter with other treats like spiced nuts, dried fruits, or small cookies.
Pomegranate & Dark Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 8 oz dark chocolate (60-70% cocoa) (225g) chopped
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- ¼ cup chopped pistachios
- pinch of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate: Place the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water (double boiler method). Stir until smooth. Alternatively, microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between.
- Prepare a baking sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat
- Spread the chocolate: Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared sheet and spread it into a thin, even layer (about ¼-inch thick).
- Add toppings: Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and a pinch of flaky sea salt evenly over the chocolate.
- Set the bark: Let the chocolate cool and harden completely, either at room temperature or in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes.
- Break into pieces: Once set, break the bark into irregular pieces. Store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a week.
Notes
- Wrap individual pieces in parchment paper and secure with gold or silver twine. Perfect for stocking stuffers or party favors.
- Use mason jars layered with bark pieces and label with a festive tag
Bonus recipe! Pumpkin Spice Treats pour les chiens!
I’m planning on making the delicious looking Chewy Ginger Maple Molasses Cookies from Goop this weekend and thought they would be a wonderful treat for dogs, especially the ginger, so soothing. Razzi loved her ginger cookies. So I came up with a dog safe version. My gift to you and your puppies!
Pumpkin Spice Dog Treats
Ingredients
- 1 T chia seeds
- 3 T water
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce
- ¼ cup pure pumpkin puree
- 1 cup oat flour or blend rolled oats in a blender to make flour
- 1 cup whole wheat flour or gluten free flour
- 1 t baking powder
- 1 t ground cinnamon
- ½ t ground ginger
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Prepare Chia Mix: Combine chia seeds with water and let it sit for 5 minutes to form a gel.
- .Mix Wet Ingredients: In a bowl, combine the chia gel, applesauce, and pumpkin puree. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together oat flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder, cinnamon, ground ginger, and salt.
- Make Dough: Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until it forms a dough. Add a little water if the dough is too dry. Roll out the dough to about ¼ inch thick and use small cookie cutters to make fun shapes.
- Bake: Place the treats on the baking sheet and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the treats are firm. Cool and Store: Let the treats cool completely before giving them to your dog. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
So allons-y! This festive, sustainable December, let’s embrace the joy of the season with a mindful approach to food and celebration. Whether you’re trying a new festive recipe, prepping meals to save time, or making eco-friendly choices, every step counts toward a healthier, happier, and more sustainable holiday season. Happy holidays everyone! Wishing you love, peace and joy. 🎄
Yum
Merci 😋