GOURMET guilt-free
HAVE NO REMORSE THIS HOLIDAY SEASON
WITH THESE FAST, HEALTHY RECIPES,
PERFECT FOR ANY GATHERING
Recipes, photography, and styling by
WINTER 2021 | LAKE OCONEE LIVING 49
DEBORAH JOHNSON
After the excesses of the festive
season, lighter, healthier
dishes, desserts, and snacks
are often on the top of everyone’s
mind as they head into the new year.
To guide us through a guilt-free holiday,
we asked local personal chef Deborah
Johnson, of French for a While
fame, to share options for healthier,
non-traditional dishes that could fit in
at a traditional table.
While only French at heart, Johnson
spent many years in Paris, training
and teaching at Le Cordon Bleu, and
reveling in French cuisine, especially
during the holidays.
“Holidays in France were a time for
indulgence, and indulge we did on
pastries, foie gras, 5-course meals,
croissants, wine and champagne,” says
Johnson. “Once January hit, everyone
went on a ‘regime,’ or diet – fasting,
detoxing, exercising. C’etait comme
ça. That was just how it was.”
But, Johnson says, with a little culinary
creativity, you can still have dishes
that are just as rich and flavorful as
traditional favorites, but without the
regret after the new year.
Here, she shares a full course of recipes
are loaded with holiday flavors you
can bring to your own table or to your
next festive gathering.
With a little bit of planning, she
shows you can prepare colorful, delicious,
and festive dishes at home and
enjoy gourmet cuisine without all the
guilt.