A collection of our favorite holiday recipes to help you entertain with delicious ease!
I used to get allfancy-schmancy with holiday food, but I've learned to keep thingsa little simpler. Another important part of my holiday meal planningisto chooserecipesthat can be made, or at least prepped, in advance
We have lots of little ones running around these days and "fancy schmancy" just doesn't work anymore. Plus I want to enjoy family and friends at this time of year and not spend a zillion hours in the kitchen. Thought some of you might be in the same spot, so I'm sharing our favorite (and prettiest) holiday recipes with an emphasis on simple, easy and/or make-ahead. There's everything from appetizers, main dishes and sides to desserts and sweet treats. Have fun and happy holidays!
APPETIZERS
Winter Market Bruschetta- a fabulous, fresh appetizer , perfect anytime of year but especially wonderful in the off season when "fresh" seems like a distant memory.
Rosemary Pecan Goat Cheese Truffles- super fun, easy, make ahead! A delicious appetizer that will wow the socks off of everyone!
Pomegranate Parsley Pecan Cheese Ball-light, fresh and fun - with a smidgen of garlic, a bit of fine lemon zest and lots of fresh herbs. It's gorgeous too and tends to make jaws drop!
SIDES
Caramelized Sweet Potatoes- Make them in under 15 minutes, hear rave reviews for days!
Honey Maple Roasted Carrots-these are like candy, everyone always wants second helpings! This recipe definitely transforms everyday carrots into something spectacular!
Healthy Sweet Potato Butternut Casserole- combining sweet potatoes, butternut squash, maple syrup and a pinch of cinnamon and curry, this potato dishwows everyone!
Super Easy, Crazy Delicious Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce- Nothing everyday or ordinary about this sauce.But it is everyday easy and extraordinarily delicious!
Pomegranate Parsley Couscous Salad- it's super easy and the perfect delicious side for everyday and special occasions.
Make Ahead Smoked Gouda Mashed Potatoes-super delicious and super versatile! Don't like or can't find smoked Gouda? Cheddar, parmesan or goat cheese would be a delicious swap!
Arugula, Pear and Pomegranate and Pear Salad-- a fabulous fresh salad with fresh pears, pomegranate arils and juicy red grapes. A poppy seed and apple cider dressing is the perfect pairing!
THE BREAD BASKET
Ridiculously Easy Buttermilk Biscuits- anincredibly easy (as in, less than 5 minutes) technique that yields tall flaky, incredibly delicious biscuits!
Unbelievably Easy Artisan Rolls-truly, they are unbelievably easy. Stir up the dough thengo to bed. In the morning, shape and bake. Unbelievably delicious too!
Five-Minute Artisan Bread-a step by step tutorial. Sound too good to be true? It's not! You'll think your kitchen's been transformed into a European bake shop!
MAIN DISHES
Shrimp and Chicken Cashew Curry-fresh, light and full of fabulous flavor, this curry is easy enough for everyday dinner and fancy enough for your most special holiday dinner party. Such a nice twist from traditional holiday cuisine.
Skillet Shrimp and Pasta Scampi- a one pot, easy, 45-minute weeknight dinner that's delicious and elegant enough for a dinner party!
Asian Glazed Salmon Salad with Maple Ginger Dressing- with fresh pears, pomegranate arils and red grapes this salad is not only a stunner, it'shealthy and so delicious. The dressing doubles as part of an Asian glaze for the salmon.
Roasted Shrimp, Tomato and White Bean Salad- this one's elegant enough for your fanciest company and always brings rave reviews. With the abundance of heavy, high-calorie food at this time of year, it'snice (and welcomed) to offer something beautiful and healthy.
Provencal Beef Daube- it's beef stew, Provencal style! Made with red wine, rosemary, thyme and bay leaves; it's slow roasted till all the flavors meld together and the beef is melt-in-your-mouth tender. It's also totally make-ahead!
DESSERTS
French Almond Cake- incredibly delicious and incredibly easy. One-bowl, no-mixer, just-a -few-minutes-to-throw together!
Irish Chocolate Cheesecake Jars- so rich, so decadent, so delightful ... and ... so portable! Totally make ahead - take them anywhere!
French Chocolate Tart with Easy Press in Crust-the real deal! Another make-ahead that's simple and decadent. It's an authentic French chocolate dessert that's always a huge hit!
Amazingly Easy, Best Ever Hot Fudge Sauce-just like the name says this stuff is seriously the best ever. What the name doesn't say is now super easy it is, you won't even believe it! Keep things super simple - pick up some good ice cream and make this sauce in minutes. No one will miss the fancy dessert that takes hours!
French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt Cake-French Grandmother's Lemon Yogurt Cake - a fabulous cake with a really fun history. It's moist and super delicious and it can be thrown together in minutes!
Easy, One Bowl Gingerbread Cake-perfect for celebrating the holidays or for Santa and the elvesand itvery well maybe the easiest, moistest, most delicious cake you've ever made!
