If you’ve been following chef Michael Newman’s M&F Thanksgiving recipe, you’ll love what he has in store for you this Christmas. The buff baker and star of “MasterChef: Legends” presents these signature dishes for those looking to keep their macros under control, while enjoying lots of festive cheer. Packed with protein and at less than 250 calories per serving, there’s no need to lose sight of your fitness goals this holiday season.
Whether you’re vegan or not, these side plates are a great way to round out Christmas dinner, using fresh ingredients to keep you in the holiday spirit. Acorn squash is considered the most nutritious squash, containing an abundance of folate, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. It’s also simple to prepare and eat, as you don’t need to peel it before roasting or eating it. While “string” green beans are a great addition to a warming casserole any time of the year, as they are packed with vitamins A, C and K.
For Michael Newman, the New Jersey native who earned culinary kudos from Gordon Ramsay on Fox’s MasterChef: Legends, Christmas is a time of year when he’s happy to let family take over, so being able to bring some Vegan flavor alongside makes Sens perfect. “My mum, who is all-Italian, usually keeps busy over the Christmas holidays,” he says. “However, I love being able to hang out and help her in the kitchen this time of year because I don’t see her often or my dad because they live out of state. But, I’m Glad to say this year my parents moved back to New Jersey making it much easier to see more!
As for New Year’s resolutions, Newman, who is also a relationship and lifestyle coach, hopes to continue the growth of this “Jersey Style” marks while staying in shape and reaching out to others “My first resolution would be the most obvious and that is to maintain, or even become in better shape”, says the chef. “I also have a business resolution and that is to expand our lifestyle brand, JerseyStyle with my wife, Basia. Finally, the most important resolution of all is to continue to help individuals and, on a larger scale, the world, to be a more loving and positive place to live in. That’s why our JerseyStyle mantra is LOVE + POSITIVITY = SUCCESS!
The Newman family will also reflect on all the good things that have happened to them this year by giving back to the community. Her family volunteers at a local soup kitchen and will also support a nearby food bank. “We will feel extremely blessed and grateful to be able to help those in need this Christmas because for some it is a very difficult time to go through,” says Newman. That’s the spirit!
Traditional Green Bean Casserole: Vegan
Servings: 3-4
Nutritional values per serving:
- Cal: 236
- Protein: 12g
- Fats: 16g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
Ingredients:
- 16 oz. thawed frozen green beans (not canned)
- 1/2 cup walnuts, mixed with walnut crumbs
- 1/3 cup raw cashews
- 3/4 cup oat milk
- 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast*
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of pepper
- 1/2 cup fried onions
Preparation instructions:
- Cover the cashews with 1 cup boiling water and let stand for 1 hour, then drain.
- Place thawed green beans in a mixing bowl.
- Add drained cashews, oat milk, salt, pepper and nutritional yeast to blender. Blend until smooth.
- Combine the cashew cream mixture with the green beans and mix well.
- Spray a 9×7 baking dish with cooking spray and place the combined mixture into the dish.
- Cover the pan with the mixture of ground nuts and fried onions.
- Bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and you are ready to serve. Enjoy!
*Nutritional yeast adds extra protein to most vegan dishes.
Baked Vegan Stuffed Acorn Squash
Serves 4-6, depending on the size of the acorn squash
Nutritional values per serving:
- Cal: 184
- Protein: 19g
- Fats: 13g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
Ingredients:
- 2 small/medium acorn squash
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cloves garlic
- 6 tablespoons nutritional yeast*
- 2 Beyond Meat Italian or spicy sausages
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 1 cup diced button mushrooms (2n/a highest protein mushroom)
- 2 cups bread for stuffing or 1 can Stove Top Herbal Stuffing
- 1 apple of your choice, cored and peeled
- 1 1/2 cups vegetable broth
Preparation instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F
- Trim the ends of the acorn squash to prevent it from rolling. Cut the acorn squash in half and scoop out the center, then place it on the baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with a little EVOO and season with salt and pepper. Place in the oven and partially cook the squash for 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
Padding:
- Chop the onion, garlic, mushrooms and apples. Put aside.
- Place 2 tablespoons of EVOO in a pot with the Beyond Meat sausage, then mash until ground.
- Cook for 2 minutes, then add the onions, garlic, mushrooms and apples to the Beyond Meat sausage. Season the mixture with salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and cinnamon, and 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast for protein.
- While the mixture cooks, add the vegetable broth to the bread mixture to soften.
- Mix the sausage mixture with the bread stuffing. Then add the raisins and nuts to the mixture. Mix well until everything is combined well then let cool.
- Once cooled, stuff the acorn squash with the stuffing and reduce the oven to 375°F, return to the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes until the stuffing is golden brown and the acorn squash is soft to the touch.
- Remove from the oven and you are ready to serve. Enjoy!
*Nutritional yeast adds extra protein to most vegan dishes.
