5 Healthy Four-Ingredient Holiday Appetizers

5 Healthy Four-Ingredient Holiday Appetizers Image via http://bavariablu.ro There’s a preconceived idea that good food, especially food that’s good  for  you, has to cost a fortune and demand as many hours at the stove as it does specialty ingredients. But sometimes, all that you need is four basic ingredients. Considering how busy you are with the daily grind, preparing such a dish should be simple and should also allow you to maintain any dietary needs. Seriously, who says that the perfect holiday treat demands a grocery list as long as Santa’s scroll of names or as sugary as the cookies that you leave for him under the tree? Wow your friends and loved ones at your next holiday function with one of these simple and delicious four-ingredient recipes! Cranberry Pear Parfait Image via http://jessicagavin.com Still have some of that leftover cranberry sauce in the freezer from Thanksgiving? Probably not, but if you do (or just want to go out and buy some) you can simply pair it with organic plain or vanilla yogurt for a delicious treat on its own, or transform the duo into a majestic and glorious holiday parfait. All that you need to do is layer diced pears (Anjou, Bartlett or Bosc pair best with the tart favor of the cranberries) at the bottom of a glass or Mason jar, top with the cranberry yogurt mixture and sprinkle on some granola. This parfait makes a delicious breakfast treat or a quick yet fancy dessert, especially during the holidays when your indulgent gut needs the benefits from the probiotics in the yogurt and the fiber-rich pears. Savory Roasted Pecans This simple hors d’oeuvre pairs well with just about any cocktail or mocktails. All that you do is roast a bag of pecans 12 minutes, then toss them (while still warm) with olive oil, rosemary, and sea salt and just like that you have a fast yet fancy treat that will surprise and delight all of your guests! You can even wrap the roasted pecans in cellophane and tie them with a ribbon or bow for a fast and inexpensive present. Raw Hot Chocolate Hot chocolate is typically correlated with overly sweet cocoa, chewy marshmallows, and artificial whipped cream mustaches. However, this wholesome take on a classic holiday libation is made from either non-dairy or grass-fed milk (depending on your preference), raw cacao powder, maple syrup and sea salt. Simply stir all of those ingredients together while heating them up in a saucepan on the stove. Right before the milk starts to bubble (you want it hot but not boiling), pour the mixture into cozy holiday mugs for a warming after dinner treat! Stuffed Medjool Dates Image via http://15383-presscdn-0-4.pagely.netdna-cdn.com Stuffed dates are always a classic crowd pleaser, but this twist will really have your friends wondering where you picked up your culinary skills. Not to mention that this app takes a whole three minutes to put together. For a healthier take on the conventional cheese-stuffed-dates, try smearing low-fat (or non-dairy almond based) cream cheese on halved Medjool dates and then top with a fresh sprig of rosemary or dill. For an even more surprising twist, balance the sweetness of the date and cream cheeses with a hint of spice via a sliver of jalapeño. Gasp, total game changer. Baked Goat Cheese This is a decadent holiday appetizer that will have your guests lingering around the table until there isn’t any more left to eat! Let’s be honest, who can resist any variation of baked cheese? Certainly not me. For this superstar app, all that you need is a log of goat cheese, a jar of marinara sauce (or a can of diced tomatoes), fresh basil, and salt. You also may want to include some warm baguette or crostini to scoop up the cheesy goodness with, although I can easily consume this with just a spoon. Simply place the cheese in a small baking dish (that you can also use for serving) leaving about an inch of border room around the cheese. Spoon the marinara into the space and covering the edge of the cheeses but not the center. Throw in a dash of salt and bake for 20 minutes at 375 degrees. Once you remove the cheese, sprinkle it with fresh basil and serve immediately.