Try a healthier side dish this Thanksgiving
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EmailA nutritious salad recipe to mix things up this holiday season.
Many of the staple Thanksgiving dishes that we love to enjoy such as stuffing, green bean casserole and cheesy potatoes are not very nutritious. While these traditional American side dishes are delicious, they also contain a considerable amount of fat and sodium (not to mention, they don’t really count as a vegetable serving). Michigan State University Extension recommends trying out a healthier side dish this holiday season.
My favorite healthier dish is a wild rice, squash, and spinach salad, with a blueberry dressing. It can be eaten hot or cold and is low in fat and sodium. It contains a serving of whole grains and two servings of vegetables, so you can’t go wrong. Try it out this Thanksgiving.
Wild Rice and Squash Salad
Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 medium winter squash, cubed
1 package fresh spinach
1 tablespoon olive oil
Sauce:
6 tablespoons Olive oil
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (or balsamic)
½ cup blueberries
Directions
- Cook wild rice as directed on the package.
- Mix cubed squash in olive oil until all pieces are covered. Spread in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 40-60 minutes (until tender). Flip occasionally. Lightly salt and pepper to taste.
- For sauce, combine oil and vinegar and whisk until uniform. Then add blueberries and whisk/smash until well-combined.
- Make a bed of spinach on a plate, add a ¼ cup of rice and a ½ cup of squash cubes on top. Drizzle sauce over everything.
- Enjoy!
