Light Holiday Menu Ideas

Updated November 28, 2012

Use these holiday recipes from Cooking Light's 450-recipe 2012 Cookbook, The New Way to Cook Light,  to create a light and healthy holiday meal.

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Eggnog

Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Eggnog Recipe

No need to forgo one of the holidays' favorite indulgences–creamy, rich eggnog. This version gives you all the satisfaction of the full-fat version without the guilt, and it can be made up to a week in advance.

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Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

Applejack-Spiked Hot Cider Recipe

Warm up with America's traditional apple brandy, fragrant with spice and citrus. Take this less than 200 calorie drink on the go, or let its sweet, spiced scent fill your home with holiday cheer.

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Chickpeas and Spinach with Smoky Paprika

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Chickpeas and Spinach with Smoky Paprika Recipe

When planning for your holiday party, make this memorable appetizer. Do not make this until you've located real sherry vinegar (nutty and complex) and Spanish smoked paprika (almost bacon-y).

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Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños

Credit: Raymond Hom; Styling: Pamela Duncan Silver

Grilled Stuffed Jalapeños Recipe

The rich and creamy combination of bacon, cream cheese, and cheddar nicely contrasts the muted spice of grilled jalapeño peppers. This appetizer recipe is a healthy, fresh alternative to the popular breaded and fried version.

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Green Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette

Credit: Randy Mayor; Styling: Mindi Shapiro Levine

Green Salad with Hazelnut Vinaigrette Recipe

This simple, light, and fresh green salad is the perfect pair to a heavy holiday entree. The Hazelnut Vinaigrette adds a beautiful and tasty touch of seasonal elegance.

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Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots

Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Rosemary Mashed Sweet Potatoes with Shallots Recipe

This holiday season, jilt the traditional super-sugary sweet potato casserole for this more streamlined, fresher, and certainly healthier version.

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallot Soup

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Roasted Butternut Squash and Shallot Soup Recipe

Tis the season to snuggle up with soup. Spicy fresh ginger complements the sweet roasted winter squash and shallots in this easy and calorie-friendly recipe.

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Cheese and Chive Challah

Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Cheese and Chive Challah Recipe

Celebrate Hanukkah with this traditional Jewish egg bread, enriched even more with the savory addition of fontina cheese and chives.

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Christmas Stollen

Credit: Jonny Valiant; Styling: Deborah Williams

Christmas Stollen Recipe

Jewel-like brandy-soaked fruit in an enriched dough–this bread is a joyous celebration of the season.

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Classic Roast Chicken

Credit: Greg DuPreeFood Styling: Rishon HannersProp Styling: Thom Driver

Classic Roast Chicken Recipe

You can make this beautiful bird in an hour and a half for less than 300 calories. Make Christmas memorable and adorn your holiday table with this Classic Roast Chicken.

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Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Chive Sauce

Credit: Grant Cornett; Styling: Philippa Brathwaite

Beef Tenderloin with Horseradish Chive Sauce Recipe

There's a lot to love about the lemony-bite of this creamy sauce, matched with a lean, tender cut. This dish is perfect for an elegant Christmas Eve entrée.

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Apple-Poblano Whole Roast Turkey

Credit: Oxmoor House

Apple-Poblano Whole Roast Turkey Recipe

Want to try a unique spin on a classic holiday favorite? A hint of Southwest spice and chile heat blend with sweet apples for a crowd-pleasing change from traditional turkey.

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Onion Tart

Credit: John Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Onion Tart Recipe

If you're interested in serving a meatless main dish for the holidays, the essence of French onion soup in a flaky pastry shell makes this Onion Tart an appetizing choice for an entrée.

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Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr, Mary Lyn Hill Jenkins

Chocolate-Hazelnut Meringues Recipe

Crisp, airy meringue cookies are sweet little kisses that melt away. They're basically fat-free too, so we dipped them in chocolate and coated them with hazelnuts for some seasonal flare.

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Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème

Credit: Levi Brown

Maple-Gingerbread Pots de Crème Recipe

Enjoy a bowl of this decadent and light dessert during the holidays. The crackly counterpoint to the silky custard occurs when you sprinkle a thin layer of sugar on top and broil to melt. The caramel hardens as it cools to a glasslike sheet.

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Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake

Credit: Gentl & Hyers; Styling: Cindy DiPrima

Cranberry Swirl Cheesecake Recipe

We wanted that thick, almost show-stopping texture, plus lots of tang, like a New York Cheesecake. The garnet swirl of fruit makes for a very elegant and festive tablescape.

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Cooking Light The New Way to Cook Light

Cooking Light The New Way to Cook Light Tout

Make sure The New Way to Cook Light finds it's way under your tree this holiday season. This treasured cookbook is confidently built on 25 years of Test Kitchen success and experimentation at Cooking Light magazine that displays the best route to fresh, light, and fully delicious food.

Click here to order your copy today.

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