No Stress Holiday Meal

Easy, Low Stress Holiday Meal

Too often, holiday meals become overly stressful and burdensome. There is no reason, unless eating at 11AM or noon, to get up at 4AM or 5AM and have to start preparing the meal. No reason that everything on the menu has to be homemade and no reason to think that, as the host, every dish that each guest wants should be cooked. Instead of over spending on food, time, and sanity, here is a simple menu and tips for a stress free Holiday meal.  

peppermint bark ice cream brownie cake

 


Turkey:

Instead of buying a whole turkey, get one or two turkey breasts. They cook faster (8-10lbs.=2 to 2 1/2 hours), and happen to be easier to prepare.

• Thaw two-three days in advance, wash, dry, take out the heart and gravy packet, butter under and over the skin, salt and pepper, place in a store bought roasting pan and pour 1-2 cans chicken stock on top.
• Cook on 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes, then turn to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the rest of the time till the internal temperature has reached 165-170 degrees.

Ham:

Buy half a ham or a ham in the can. Cook according to package directions (found on whole and half ham labels), in a roasting pan, and pour 2 cans pineapple chunks over the ham, 1/2 cup cherry halves (or whole cranberries), and place about four Gala or Fuji Apples (sliced) around the ham.

Cook the night before, slice, separate the fruits from the ham (place in a bowl and cover). The next day, heat the ham covered with aluminum foil in an oven safe dish on 200 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-30 minutes. Pour the fruit mix on top and serve in the dish.

Stuffing:

Use the box. That's right, boxed stuffing.

Autumn Waldorf Salad

• Prepare according to box directions. Add more butter or chicken stock if desired.
• If desired, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup whole berry cranberry jelly and 3 Tablespoons finely chopped celery.
• Mix, place in a serving bowl and serve.

Green Bean Casserole:

Just use Campbell's recipe, it's a winner, no fuss, no stress, and eating the extra French Onion's is great. Add some cooked chopped bacon if desired.

Corn:

This is iffy. This girl loves corn pudding, sweet southern corn pudding, and my grandma's recipe is great but super difficult and does not always set correctly. So, a few sites, such as Taste of Home and recipes.com have some great ones. Even so, keep it simple, grab some corn n the cob, boil it, serve with butter.

Mashed Potatoes:

Bags of potatoes are usually inexpensive and with butter, pepper, and salt (maybe some milk), can become the side everyone reaches for.

• Wash, dry, peel or don't peel
• Cut into fours and bring to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat.
• Turn to medium low, heat until softened (15 minutes).
• Drain the water.\
• Use a potato masher and mash, add 1 stick butter, mash some more.
• Add salt, pepper, about 1/4 cup of milk and continue to mash till desired texture is reached.
• Add some Gouda, Goat, Italian, Parmesan, or a white sharp cheese, chives for extra flavor. Serve with sour cream.

Ginger Pumpkin Ice Cream Cakes

Pies:

Buy the pie for two reasons:

1. It is more expensive to bake the pie than it is to buy it, depending on pie brand. Pumpkin filling can cost over $2. Add in the pie crust and whipped cream and the hour cooking time, along with hoping it sets right and buying the already made pie for less than $4.50 seems like a good idea. Two brands that tend to be good, pie wise, Edwards (never had a bad one and they are always on sale at Wal-Mart during the holidays) and Sara Lee.
2. After cooking everything else, it almost feels like a chore to make a pie, watch it while it cooks, check it, and want for it.

Other items that would be quick to make and worth adding to the menu:

• Deviled Eggs
• Fruit Salad
• Salad with salad dressings
• Veggie Platter
• Cheese Ball-12 oz. Whipped Cream cheese, 2 cups Shredded Sharp cheddar, 1 Tablespoon Worschestire Sauce, 1/2 Teaspoon Pepper. Set 1 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar aside, spread on a plate. Mix the reaming ingredients together, form into a ball, roll around in the cheese, place in a bowl, wrap and chill over night. Serve with crackers.
• Jar-o-Gravy
• Cake
• Ice Cream
• Ice Cream Cake-buy a store bought pound cake, cut in half, spread softened ice cream in on the bottom half, put the top back on, spread ice cream on the top half, sprinkle with finely chopped candy. Keep frozen till ready to serve.

Here's to a stress free holiday meal!!! Happy Holidays.