Yes, it’s the most wonderful time of the year!!! And that’s because we finally get to indulge in holiday meals with friends and family after a year of hard work. Everyone enjoys a delicious meal, but cooking may not be everyone’s forte. Fear no longer! I have compiled a magical list of easy and delicious dishes for holiday appetizers, sides, main dishes, and desserts. *cue mouth watering*
Obviously, we have to start with the teaser dishes that are the key to getting the holiday meals started.
Dried cherries, pecans, and rosemary brie en croute:
Don’t be scared. I know it sounds intense but I promise it’s easier than you think. Much easier. Roll out the pastry and top with cherries, cheese, egg mixture, and top with pecans and rosemary. See Mom, I really can cook!
Roasted balsamic cranberry and brie crostini:
(Can you tell I like brie yet?) These little toasts are the perfect combination of crisp baguette slices, creamy cheese, and sweet cranberries. AKA they are little bites of Christmas. Bake your own baguette slices and simply top with cranberries, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and rosemary. These pretty, little bites will surely impress your guests.
Slow cooker spinach artichoke dip:
Why spend all day in the kitchen when you can let the slow cooker do all the work? Enjoy your day with friends and family while the spinach, artichoke hearts, cream cheese, yogurt, cheese, and other ingredients silently cook to perfection. This dish is a cheesy and creamy classic for any holiday party.
Moving on to some more high-profile dishes: the sides. The diverse personalities highlight different characteristics; much like the families sitting at the same table. Bring your own unique flavor to holiday meals with your dish instead of having to answer ridiculous questions like “what are you doing with your life???” We don’t need that kind of nonsense when there are mashed potatoes.
Cream cheese and bacon green bean casserole:
Throw green beans, soup, bacon, fried onions, and butter together and wait for a delicious blend of sweet green beans, creamy soup, and crunchy bacon bits and onions to blend together for a perfect combination. This dish is sure to please every picky eater.
If someone doesn’t like mashed potatoes at the party you are at, quickly and quietly proceed to the nearest exit. You don’t need that negativity in your life. Season some mashed potato clouds with garlic, salt, pepper, and minced onions for any holiday meal must-have.
Oven-roasted brown sugar carrots:
Like mamma always said “you have to eat your vegetables” but she never really specified if you couldn’t drown them in sugar first! These sweet and savory carrots will impress everyone from children to your picky cousin to your obnoxious aunt who won’t stop asking you the same three questions. These golden and crispy carrots are the perfect side for any holiday meal.
You can do it. I promise. We’ll embark upon this journey together…
It’s best to leave it to the professionals when making such an important element of a holiday meal: the stuffing. Not to put any pressure on you but… yeah there is a great deal of pressure on you so DO NOT MESS UP THE STUFFING. One way to ensure a delicious, moist yet crunchy stuffing is to let it roast to perfection in a crockpot. Let the celery, mushrooms, breadcrumbs, and seasons simmer to perfection in butter and chicken broth.
Okay. Deep breath. You can do this. For the main dish, I have picked out an easy, foolproof recipe that will ensure the most perfect turkey. We’ll take it slow for this one. Remove the turkey from its packaging and remove the entrails (the cavity, neck, and heart). Next, slather it with butter and sprinkle the dry rub all over (the seasons). Then, place onions and garlic in the turkey before placing it in the oven. Let it roast for however long the size of your turkey demands. When it’s done, remove it from the oven and let it rest before SCREAMING WITH JOY THAT YOU HAVE JUST COOKED A PERFECT TURKEY! Congrats, you are officially an adult.
For a perfectly sweet and salty ham, this recipe is a must. The brown sugar glaze will create a beautiful, rich and crispy crust around the ham. Simply, mix the glaze ingredients in a saucepan and then let them simmer until they are smooth. Then, brush the glaze onto the ham and top with brown sugar. Bake for ten minutes per pound, while reglazing around every twenty minutes. Lastly, let it rest before AGAIN SCREAMING WITH JOY BECAUSE YOU JUST COOKED A PERFECT HAM!
Finally, we’ve made it to the best part of the meal. The food version of the star on the tree: the desserts. The great thing about the desserts is the huge variety of dishes you can make from pies to cookies to cakes to brownies. The possibilities are endless.
Impress both, your guests and Santa with these class thumbprint cookies. These elegant sweets will warm up your guests with buttery shortbread and fresh strawberry or apricot jam.
No-bake peppermint Oreo cheesecake:
Looking for something a little more refreshing and creamy? Try this delicious peppermint Oreo cheesecake that literally looks like a Christmas angel. Even Grandma will be impressed with this one. Just mix all of the ingredients together, let it set in the refrigerator, and then top with Cool Whip and peppermint chips for the coolest (Get it? Because they are peppermint chips?) way to wrap up your holiday meals.
Okay if there is any dish that someone cannot not like it is fudge. This three-ingredient recipe will produce the smoothest fudge with that little punch of crunch (optional). The three ingredients are chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and chopped walnuts. Just melt the chocolate chips in either the microwave or a double boiler, then stir in the nuts, and then pour into a pan and refrigerate overnight. Boom. Mic drop. You can also sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for a more holiday aesthetic.
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