The holidays are a great time to come together with friends for meals and snacks. Take advantage of conveniences and have fun during the holidays.
Get creative during the holidays. Entertain with style and great party food—but don’t spend all day in the kitchen. Use a combination of packaged products to combine with extras for something unique and worthy of the holiday season. Whether the occasion calls for a party or it’s just an intimate dinner for two, there are countless ways of celebrating this special time of year. All it takes is a little holiday planning.
Holiday Brunch
The holiday brunch is a fun way to kick off the season with close friends. Each person can bring a dish, or it can all be made in the same kitchen.
Pecan Corn Muffins:
Combine a package of corn muffin mix with 1/2 cup of chopped pecans. Prepare according to the directions on the package.
Festive Egg Casserole:
Combine 8 eggs with 1 can of condensed cheese soup. Add 2 tbsp. of milk and whip. Fold 1 cup of chopped red and green peppers into the mix. Pour into a greased casserole dish and bake in a 350-degree oven for approximately 20 minutes.
Raspberry Gelatin Salad:
Mix 1 package of raspberry gelatin with 1 cup of boiling water and stir until the gelatin is dissolved. Stir 1 cup of frozen raspberries into the mix. Pour into muffin tins and refrigerate until set. To release the gelatin from the tins, place the bottom of the tins into hot water for approximately 5 seconds. Garnish each serving with mint leaves.
Holiday Buffet
Set up a buffet so the guests can help themselves to what they want. Offer a variety of foods filled with color and flavor. Use tabletop warmers to keep the food hot and delicious.
Meatballs in Sauce:
Mix 1 pound of lean ground beef with 1 egg, 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 cup of seasoned bread crumbs. Form golf ball-sized meatballs and brown on all sides in a nonstick skillet. Mix 1 can of condensed tomato soup with 2 tbsp. of Worcestershire sauce and 1/2 cup of water. Pour over browned meatballs and cook over low heat for approximately 20 minutes, until the meatballs are done.
Festive Rice:
Cook as much rice as needed for the number of guests attending. Add 1/4 cup of frozen peas per cup of rice during the last 10 minutes of cooking.
Spiced Bread:
Cut 1 loaf of French bread into slices. Melt butter and mix with 1 tsp. of yellow mustard, 1/2 cup of chopped chives and garlic salt to taste. Brush mixture over bread slices and heat in a 375-degree oven for approximately 10 minutes or until the edges of the bread are golden brown.
Fruit Salad:
Mix 1 cup of diced or crushed pineapple with 1 cup of mandarin oranges, 1/2 cup of coconut, 1 cup of miniature marshmallows and 1/2 cup of plain yogurt. Chill and serve.
Holiday Snacks
Set out a festive array of party food for guests to munch while mingling. Offer a variety of prepared treats to go with standbys such as nuts, cookies, and chips with salsa.
Party Mix:
Combine 3 cups of whole-grain square cereal with 2 cups of miniature pretzels, 1 cup of cheese crackers, 3 cups of mixed nuts and 1 cup of miniature Melba toast. Melt 1-1/2 cups of butter or margarine and add 1 tbsp. pepper sauce, 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce, 1 tsp. garlic powder and salt to taste. Pour over the dry ingredients and mix well. Spread the mixture on as many baking sheets as needed for 1 layer. Bake in a 275-degree oven for approximately 45 minutes. Cool and store in sealed containers until time for the party.
Seasoned Nuts:
Mix 3 cups of nuts with 1/2 cup of melted butter or margarine and 1 tbsp. of garlic salt or seasoning salt. Pour the seasoned nuts into a baking pan and bake in a 275-degree oven for approximately 45 minutes. Cool and store in sealed containers until time for the party.
Cheese Ball:
Mix 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese with 1-1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese, 1/4 tsp. garlic powder and 1/4 tsp. seasoning salt. Mix well and form into a ball. Roll the cheese ball in 1/2 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until set—approximately 3 hours. Serve with a variety of crackers.
Relax and Celebrate with the Guests
Most of this food can be prepared a day in advance. The key to the celebration is to keep the preparation for the holiday easy and have fun with the guests. Add ready-made snacks, vegetable trays, nuts and a variety of drinks for a wonderful holiday celebration.
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