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A different way to enjoy Greek Christmas desserts

A different way to enjoy Greek Christmas desserts

Christmas holidays are getting closer and closer and in Greece it’s time to bake our traditional cookies “melomakarona”, “kourabiedes”, and “Diples”. No need to lie now! We’ve been waiting for these for a whole year. The truth is that Christmas wouldn’t be the same without them. However, holidays will come and go. What about the pounds added?

Is it possible to enjoy our favorite desserts without feeling quilts? The answer is “yes”!

First of all, do not start eating them one month before the holidays arrive (otherwise, why calling them Christmas desserts?)

Secondly, replace some of the ingredients used in the traditional recipes with other healthier, low-calories ingredients.

Instead of

White flour

Sugar

Syrup

Icing sugar

Use

Whole wheat flour

Stevia or black sugar

Honey or molasses or agave syrup

Without icing sugar

To give you an idea, here’s some of “lighter” versions of the traditional recipes.

 

“Melomakarona”

melomakarona

Ingredients: 2 cups olive oil, 1 cup sugar substitute, 1 cup fresh orange juice, 1 cup thin semolina, 1 kg whole wheat flour, 1 ½ teaspoon baking soda, ½ lemon & ½ orange zest. Skip the crush walnuts topping.

“Kourabiedes”

Kourabiedes

Ingredients: 2 kg whole wheat flour, 1 kg margarine spread or sesame or sunflower oil (to replace the taste of nuts), 300 g sugar substitute (f.ex. Fructose), 300 g blanched almonds roasted and finally chopped, 1 small cup brandy, 1 teaspoon baking soda, ½ cup rose or orange water. Use fructose instead of icing sugar or use no sweetener.

Having said all that, we wish you enjoy the best of the festivities of these days, share the love, embrace yourselves and don’t get hung up on counting calories. It’s only a couple of days, so indulge yourselves!

Happy Holidays!

About the author

Kiriaki Kaldaridou

Nutritionist

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