The holidays bring about numerous opportunities to gather with family to celebrate the season of sharing and giving. Throughout the years my family has collected quite a list of some favorite Christmas recipes.
These favorites have been enjoyed over and over again, and we have yet to grow tired of them.
We’ve shared some precious memories in pitching in and preparing the holiday meals. Read more »
By Julie DeHart
Get a jump start on your Christmas baking with these classic Christmas cookies. You can make them ahead & pop them in the freezer. They freeze beautifully & will be resting nicely until you need them during the holiday festivities. Enjoy! Read more »
What are the two things you run out for at the last minute when preparing Christmas dinner? Seasonings and utensils. This article addresses the essentials you need to be sure you have on hand when cooking Christmas dinner.
No one wants to have to make a last minute substitution because they forgot something at the store. When you are making a list of the grocery items you need, don’t forget the utensils. Unless you have a large family, most people don’t use every pot, pan and spatula in their kitchen unless it is Christmas.
To save on storage space and money, look for items that are disposable. You don’t need to purchase a new 20-piece cookware set for an additional ham. That is why the list of food and the list of utensils go together. Here are a few examples of what you might need to buy:
• Roasting pans (turkey, ham)
• Side dish pans (square aluminum pans)
• Cake pans
• Serving utensils
• Cake pans (can be non-disposable – you may use them later)
• Trash bags (not a utensil or cookware but a necessary item for cleanup)
• Plasticware
• Thermometer (meat, candy)
• Mixing bowls
It seems like a long list but not really. Instead of using all of your baking pans and washing them repeatedly, it is easier to cook sides and meats in disposable aluminum pans. They hold up well when cooking and can be thrown away afterwards. If a family wants to take home leftovers, you can use the extra pans you have left. This gives them one container to store their “take home” treats and a way to warm them up also.
You may have enough silverware for a service for four or six, but 26 people are out of the question. At party supply stores, they sell Christmas plasticware that resembles real silverware. Your family won’t mind and your holiday table will still look elegant.
Anyone preparing food like meat needs a meat thermometer. Turkey takes a long time to cook and you want to be sure it is cooked throughout. A meat thermometer inserted in the thickest part of the thigh will let you know when the turkey is done. Even with pop-up meters in the turkey, always check the internal temperature yourself.
A lot goes into making Christmas dinner special for family and friends. Avoid the last minute drive to the store or a sink full of dishes. Purchase what essentials you need beforehand.
Christmas Appetizers
The mouth-watering smells coming from the kitchen around the holidays will make anyone’s stomach growl. If you don’t want guests sneaking in the kitchen for a nibble, offer them a few holiday dinner appetizers to keep them satisfied until the main course.
Appetizers are often seen at dinner parties. Even though it is just family and friends who are like family, it is a holiday party of sorts when you all get together. So, let loose with those appetizers. Depending on when everyone will show up and when dinner will actually be ready, will determine how heavy or light to go on the appetizers.
Some families may have breakfast and nothing else until dinner. They are not trying to starve other family members but use the time in between to finish getting things straight for dinner. So, when the masses get hungry, they are going to bug you in the kitchen. While you are baking and cooking, make time to prepare a few appetizers to keep them happy.
Here are a few examples of Christmas appetizers:
• Cheese – This can mean many things. First, you can have Cheese Whiz on crackers. Another option is a cheese tray that includes cheeses, crackers and other toppers like olive slices, bacon, and tomato chunks.
• Fruit – To keep sliced fruit from browning, use a bit of lemon juice or mix the fruit together to make a fruit salad. Include your favorite fruits in their natural juices.
• Finger sandwiches – Keep these refrigerated until the last minute. Anything with mayonnaise shouldn’t be left out more than a couple of hours. Fix a mix: chicken salad, tuna salad, ham, roast beef and/or turkey. You could probably leave off the turkey since you might be having it for dinner.
• Chicken – Chicken nuggets make great finger foods. Cut them in half and stick a toothpick in each one. Wrap chunks of cooked chicken breast with bacon and dip into honey mustard or barbecue sauce.
• Veggies and dip – This old standby works on so many fronts. While the group is watching the game or a holiday movie, give them something healthy that won’t spoil their dinner.
• Nuts – Take those ordinary nuts and roast them with brown sugar, cinnamon and other spices before setting them on the table to be gobbled.
Just because it’s family doesn’t mean you can’t offer a little snack to tide them over until the big holiday meal. Try these suggestions for Christmas dinner appetizers.
The Well-Stocked Pantry for Christmas Cooking
The last thing any holiday cooks want to do is walk around the kitchen and find out that they are missing a vital item they need to finish a meal in fantastic fashion. Undoubtedly it has happened to you at least once. Be sure it doesn’t happen again with this pantry staple list for the holidays.
Each holiday, most of us prepare the same things. There are favorite family dishes that must be prepared or Aunt Minnie will have a fit. That goes for desserts as well. Since you know this in advance, let’s make sure that the kitchen cupboards are stocked with the items you use the most.
The pantry list includes items for the fridge, cupboard and the freezer. Let’s begin with the cupboard:
• Flour (all purpose, cake)
• Baking soda
• Dry yeast (for breads)
• Sugar (white, brown, confectioners’)
• Chocolate (bricks, squares, morsels, cocoa powder)
• Nuts (pecans, English walnuts, almonds)
• Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, pepper)
• Baking powder
• Honey, oil, vinegar
• Broth
• Dried fruits
• Vegetables (sweet potatoes, white potatoes, onions, garlic)
• Rice
• Dried pasta
This is just a short list. Depending on your tastes, you’ll add or detract from it depending on your tastes. Now we move on to the fridge. Some items just need to stay in there to stay fresh. To know your refrigerated pantry staples, think of things that you are always sending someone to the store for.
• Milk
• Butter (not margarine)
• Sour cream
• Eggs
• Lemon juice
• Half and half
This list is shorter because you use these items more when you cook and bake around the holidays than any other time. The broth from the other list will end up in the fridge after you open it.
Don’t forget the freezer. Most of the freezer staples come into play with baking but they can pertain to cooking the meal if you make fruit relishes, cranberry sauce from scratch and other condiment additions to your holiday table.
• Frozen fruit (berry mix, peaches)
• Frozen vegetables (to make up for any shortfall with fresh veggie side dishes)
• Fruit juices from concentrate
As you can see, there are a lot of staples that you’ll need when cooking and baking for the holidays. You don’t necessarily have to account for every family member who darkens your door. If your list includes at least these items you are well on your way to a well-stocked holiday pantry.
When it comes right down to it, some of the best gifts given at Christmas are given from the heart. What says that you took time and care more than a homemade food gift?
Now, if you want to make food gifts, there are a few tips you need to remember. For safety reasons and liability issues, food gifts not accepted at schools. You can give a gift to your child’s teacher but not to the students. Read more »
1/2 C of dry bread crumbs
1/2 C of green pepper, chopped
2 egg whites
4 garlic cloves, minced
8 drops of hot sauce
1 lb. lean ground turkey
1 T of canola oil
1 C of ketchup
1/2 C of water
1/4 C of lemon juice
1/4 C red wine vinegar
2 T molasses
2 T of brown sugar
2 t of dry mustard powder
1 t chili powder
1/2 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t pepper
Place the bread crumbs, green pepper, egg whites, garlic and hot sauce into a mixing bowl and whisk until well combined. Break the turkey into the mixture and mix well. Shape the mixture into small meatballs.
Pour the canola oil into a skillet and place of medium heat. When the oil is hot add the meatballs. Brown the meatballs for 8 minutes, turning frequently, until browned on all sides. Drain the meatballs well and return to the skillet.
In a bowl whisk together the ketchup, water, lemon juice, vinegar and molasses. Sprinkle the brown sugar, mustard and chili powders, and both peppers. Whisk until well combined. Pour the sauce in with the meatballs. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Cover the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes or until heated through.
Makes 10 servings
Want to add a little turkey to your buffet without all the fuss of cooking a full turkey? These bites should fit the bill. If you are looking for something a little less spicy the hot sauce, chili powder and cayenne pepper may be omitted.
