The paleo lifestyle boasts many health benefits, but you just might find yourself having some decidedly un-paleo cravings this holiday season. The great thing is that you don’t have to give up on holiday favorites just because you’ve gone paleo. Consider updating family recipes and traditional seasonal dishes by using ghee instead of butter.
Incorporating Ghee in Your Holiday Meals
Ghee is an ideal choice for paleo holiday recipes because its such a versatile ingredient. You can use it for everything on your holiday table from the appetizers to the main course to the desserts. More than just being versatile, organic ghee made with the milk of grass-fed cows is also healthy. It offers the joy of butter without the casein or sugars, so it doesn’t contribute to the inflammation with which butter is associated.
Main Courses and Side Dishes With Ghee
Everything from your turkey to your carrots and squash can shine with a little help from ghee. Because it’s clarified, ghee is the perfect choice for sautéed and slow-roasted dishes that benefit from the flavor of butter. It’s also easy to incorporate in appetizers and side dishes, such as our sweet potato and bacon latkes.
You can make other healthy holiday alternatives with ghee too. Instead of trying to make a dairy-free version of that famous green bean casserole, roast fresh green beans or shaved brussels sprouts with ghee, garlic and a pinch of salt. You can also use it to add that rich, buttery taste to a poultry stuffing made from apples, parsnips, cranberries and other winter produce.
Desserts With Ghee
Coming up with dairy-free desserts for the holidays is a big creative challenge. One option is to use ghee in your recipes. While ghee is derived from a dairy product, it doesn’t have any of the milk solids or sugars that are found in butter. Most nutrition experts agree that lactose-intolerant individuals can eat ghee without issues. Check out traditional Indian dessert recipes for some delicious, festive ways to use ghee in desserts this holiday season.
For a quick-and-sweet treat, whip up a batch of pumpkin spice muffins and top them with your favorite paleo frosting. Pancakes topped with roasted apples or pears also make an unconventional but tasty treat. Don’t forget to check out our paleo video recipes to see even more ways you can incorporate ghee into delicious, healthy holiday recipes.
