3 Low Carb Phase 3 Holiday Side Dish Recipes

Dieting through the holidays can be especially challenging on the HCG Diet.  With all the temptations of the season, it can be way too easy to fall off the wagon and succumb to a piece of sugary pie or carb loaded bread, stuffing, or potatoes.  To help dieters get through the holidays I’ve put together 3 low carb Phase 3 Holiday side dish recipes.  Your Phase 3 is a critical phase  for the HCG Diet and the time where your weight loss stabilizes and your metabolism reaches a new faster “set point”  Having the right recipes for this phase is very important.  These recipes are low carb hacks for some of your favorite Phase 3 Holiday side dishes and just absolutely delicious!

For a delicious P3 low carb pumpkin dessert perfect for the holidays, try my Thanksgiving Pumpkin Pie Whip recipe and for more support dieting and maintaining through the holidays check out my article with 7 Healthy Holiday Weight Maintenance Tips.

Low Carb Phase 3 Holiday Recipes

Browned Butter Sage Sausage Stuffing

Ingredients

2/3 lb Sausage

1/2 cups cabbage, finely shredded

1 cup fresh mushrooms, minced

1/4 cup carrots, minced

1/4 cup celery, minced or sliced thin

2 Tablespoons butter

1 cup chicken broth

1/4 cup fresh sage, minced (substitute 2 tablespoons. powdered)

1/4 cup fresh sage, whole leaves

1 cup onions, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced

2/3 cup almond meal

1 cup raw or toasted pecans

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Brown sausage in a pan and break apart until crumbly.  Drain off excess oil and add onions, garlic, celery, and carrots.  Sauté for an additional 1-2 minutes than add chicken broth, mushrooms, and cabbage.  Stir in minced sage and cook for an additional 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally until liquid is reduced by half.  In a separate small frying pan, melt butter.  Add fresh, whole, sage leaves when the butter starts to foam.  When butter is lightly brown, remove from heat and remove sage leaves.  Add the browned butter and almond meal into the stuffing.  Top with pecans (You can use raw or lightly toasted pecans), and crispy sage, and serve.

Note:  You can set your stuffing to warm on low in the oven for holiday gatherings as needed for up to an hour.

Makes 4-6 servings

Cheesy Garlic Cauliflower Mash

Ingredients

1 large head of cauliflower  (approximately 2 cups small/medium cauliflower florets)

4 cloves of garlic, crushed and minced

1 cup water or chicken broth

1/2 cup sour cream

1 1/2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Fresh herbs (chives, herb mix, etc. optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Steam cauliflower and 2 cloves garlic in water or chicken broth until tender.  Drain and reserve a small portion of cooking liquid.  Add 2 cloves fresh garlic and puree cauliflower in a blender or food processor until smooth using reserve liquid as needed.  Stir in sour cream and cheese to pureed cauliflower and reheat on the stove stirring gently until cheese melts.  Serve as a delicious Holiday side dish with Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner favorites like turkey or ham.

Green Beans with Onions and Mushrooms

Ingredients

1 pound green beans

2/3 cup onions, thin sliced and cut

1/2 cup water or chicken broth

1 cup mushrooms, sliced

1 Tablespoon butter (substitute bacon grease for extra flavor)

1 teaspoon olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed and minced

1/2 teaspoon thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Remove tips and cut up green beans into 1 inch pieces.  Saute’ with butter on medium to high heat for 1-2 minutes than add chicken broth and garlic.  In a separate frying pan, melt butter and oil on medium heat.  Add onions and fry until caramelized, brown, and lightly crispy.  Set aside.  Cook green beans until crisp tender and broth has reduced.  Add mushrooms and spices and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.  Top with onions and serve.

Enjoy these 3 Low Carb Phase 3 Holiday Side Dish Recipes with your next holiday meal and have a Happy, Healthy Holiday season.  For more delicious recipes and HCG Diet Articles, check out my Pinterest Boards, get recipes and HCG Diet support.