Cooking with Melissa, Pt 1: Holiday Favorites with A Fun and Healthy Twist – Let’s get in the kitchen and cook something good for our soul and brain health! This two-part series will focus on remembering traditional Thanksgiving favorites and  preparing them with a fun and healthy twist.

Part I: “The Sweet Potato Revamped”

Part II: “Two Thanksgiving Favorites: Green Bean Casserole and Pumpkin Pie Makeovers”

I will talk about the health benefits of several of the ingredients in these recipes, and how these recipe “makeovers” are still delicious and can keep with our Thanksgiving traditions. While we cook we will practice mindfulness, heighten our senses and recall past memories. So, grab your measuring spoons and spatulas…and join us for “Cooking with Melissa.”

 Part I: 11/1/21:
“Healthy Sweet Potato Skins”

• 2 medium or large sweet potatoes
• 1 ½ tablespoons of butter
• 1 shallot or 1/3 cup of yellow onion minced
• 1 bag of fresh baby spinach
• ¼ cup of light sour cream or Greek yogurt
• 2 ounces of light cream cheese
• 1 cup of chickpeas or you can use regular green peas
• ¼ cup of shredded mozzarella cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste
• *optional-crumbled bacon

“Roasted Sweet Potatoes”

• 2 lbs of sweet potatoes cubed into ½ inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon of paprika
• 4 gloves of garlic finely chopped OR ½ teaspoon of garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• Ground black pepper to taste

Cooking Tools:

• Baking sheet
• Knifes for cutting
• Skillet
• Mixing bowl
• Spoon and spatula
• Measuring cups and spoons

This event will take place at the AFA Teal Room: www.alzfdn.org/afatealroom.