3 Recipes To Add To Your Holiday Table This Year
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Holidays can be tough, no doubt about it. The pressure to be merry, the family dynamics, or just the weight of memories can make this time feel more like a hurdle than a celebration. But in the midst of it all, let's not forget those little pockets of joy. Whether it's a good laugh with a cousin, the smell of your favorite holiday dish, or just a quiet moment of reflection, these moments are worth cherishing. So, here's to finding and savoring the bits of happiness this season offers, even when the going gets tough.
Getting in the kitchen helps me to get rid of the funk and into the Christmas spirit. I sometimes cry into the cookie dough and sometimes dance my way through the roast prep. It depends on the day. So I thought I would post a few of my simple favorites to help me through the Christmas challenges.
**1. Spiced Apple Cider (Drink)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 inch piece of ginger, sliced (optional)
- **Instructions:**
1. Pour apple cider into a large pot.
2. Add cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, star anise, and ginger.
3. Heat over medium until it just begins to simmer, then reduce to low. Let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
4. Strain out the spices and serve warm. You can garnish with an additional cinnamon stick or orange slice if desired.
**2. Peppermint Chocolate Fudge (Dessert)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Crushed peppermint candies for topping
- **Instructions:**
1. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with condensed milk and butter, stirring constantly until smooth.
3. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
4. Pour into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
5. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top while the fudge is still warm.
6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. Use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan and cut into squares.
**3. Cheesy Potato Bake (Comfort Food)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
- **Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
2. Layer half the potatoes in the dish, followed by half the onions. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Sprinkle half the cheese over the onions.
4. Repeat layers with the remaining potatoes, onions, seasoning, and cheese.
5. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and potatoes are tender.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives or parsley if using.
These recipes should bring some holiday comfort and joy to your table!
Getting in the kitchen helps me to get rid of the funk and into the Christmas spirit. I sometimes cry into the cookie dough and sometimes dance my way through the roast prep. It depends on the day. So I thought I would post a few of my simple favorites to help me through the Christmas challenges.
**1. Spiced Apple Cider (Drink)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 1 gallon apple cider
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 star anise (optional)
- 1 inch piece of ginger, sliced (optional)
- **Instructions:**
1. Pour apple cider into a large pot.
2. Add cinnamon sticks, orange slices, cloves, star anise, and ginger.
3. Heat over medium until it just begins to simmer, then reduce to low. Let it simmer gently for about 30 minutes.
4. Strain out the spices and serve warm. You can garnish with an additional cinnamon stick or orange slice if desired.
**2. Peppermint Chocolate Fudge (Dessert)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- Crushed peppermint candies for topping
- **Instructions:**
1. Line an 8x8 inch pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
2. In a saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with condensed milk and butter, stirring constantly until smooth.
3. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and peppermint extract.
4. Pour into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
5. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the top while the fudge is still warm.
6. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or until firm. Use the parchment paper to lift the fudge out of the pan and cut into squares.
**3. Cheesy Potato Bake (Comfort Food)**
- **Ingredients:**
- 2 pounds potatoes, peeled and sliced thinly
- 1 onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
- Chives or parsley for garnish (optional)
- **Instructions:**
1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a baking dish.
2. Layer half the potatoes in the dish, followed by half the onions. Season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
3. Sprinkle half the cheese over the onions.
4. Repeat layers with the remaining potatoes, onions, seasoning, and cheese.
5. Pour the heavy cream evenly over the top.
6. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes. Remove foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes until the top is golden and potatoes are tender.
7. Let it rest for 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with chives or parsley if using.
These recipes should bring some holiday comfort and joy to your table!