The holidays are full of jolly events, gatherings, and delicious food. Although they create so many fond memories, they can also be busy. So, we thought we would help you out this holiday season and share some delicious recipes that are fun, delicious, and quick. Whether you’re craving something sweet or savory, we’ve got you covered! Here are ten simple recipes to ease your holiday season and make yours and your loved ones’ bellies happy.
Quick Tips before starting
Before you get started here are a few tips to make your cooking and baking a quicker and easier process.
- Prep as much as you can in advance to make the cooking process smoother.
- Use store-bought shortcuts for items like pie crusts, rolls, and pre-cooked meats.
- Consider a potluck-style dinner where each guest brings a dish, so that all of the cooking doesn’t fall on your shoulders.
- To make the process more enjoyable, bake and cook with a friend or family member.
10 Quick & Delicious Holiday Recipes
1. Maple Glazed Roasted Brussels Sprouts
- Ingredients:
- Brussels sprouts
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Maple syrup
- Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Trim and halve the Brussels sprouts.
- Toss them with olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 20-25 minutes until crispy.
- Drizzle with maple syrup and roast for an additional 5 minutes.
2. Cranberry Pomegranate Brie Bites
- Ingredients:
- Mini phyllo cups
- Brie cheese, cut into small cubes
- Cranberry sauce
- Pomegranate seeds
- Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place a small cube of Brie in each phyllo cup.
- Top with a teaspoon of cranberry sauce.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until Brie is melted.
- Garnish with pomegranate seeds.
3. Garlic Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
- Ingredients:
- Baby potatoes
- Olive oil
- Garlic cloves, minced
- Fresh rosemary, chopped
- Salt and pepper
- Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 425°F (220°C).
- Halve the baby potatoes.
- Toss with olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, salt, and pepper.
- Roast for 25-30 minutes until golden and crispy.
4. Peppermint Chocolate Bark
- Ingredients:
- Dark chocolate, melted
- White chocolate, melted
- Crushed peppermint candy
- Instructions:
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Pour melted dark chocolate onto the sheet.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate.
- Use a toothpick to create swirls.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy on top.
- Refrigerate until set, then break into pieces.
5. Festive Punch
- Ingredients
- Cranberry juice
- Orange juice
- Ginger ale
- Slices of oranges
- Cranberries
- Instructions:
- Mix for a refreshing holiday drink.
6. Honey Glazed Ham
- Ingredients
- Pre-cooked Ham
- Honey
- Dijon mustard
- Brown sugar
- Instructions:
- Score the ham
- Brush the ham with a mix of honey, Dijon mustard, and brown sugar.
- Bake until caramelized.
7. Easy Gravy
- Ingredients
- Chicken or turkey broth
- Flour
- Salt
- Pepper
- Instructions:
- In a saucepan, whisk together chicken or turkey broth, a bit of flour, salt, and pepper.
- Simmer until thickened.
8. Cranberry Pecan Spinach Salad
- Ingredients
- Spinach
- Dried cranberries
- Chopped pecans
- Crumbled feta
- Balsamic vinaigrette dressing
- Instructions:
- Combine fresh spinach, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and crumbled feta.
- Dress with balsamic vinaigrette.
9. Herb-Roasted Chicken
- Ingredients
- Whole chicken
- Olive oil
- Minced garlic
- Rosemary
- Thyme
- Salt
- Pepper
- Instructions:
- Rub a whole chicken with a mix of olive oil, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper.
- Roast in the oven until golden brown and cooked through.
10. No-Bake Peppermint Oreo Truffles
- Ingredients
- 1 package (about 36 cookies) chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreo)
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 12 ounces white chocolate, melted
- Crushed candy canes or peppermint candies for topping
- Instructions:
- Prepare Cookies:
- Place the chocolate sandwich cookies in a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs.
- Mix with Cream Cheese:
- In a large bowl, combine the cookie crumbs with softened cream cheese and peppermint extract. Mix until well combined.
- Shape into Balls:
- Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls and place them on a lined baking sheet.
- Chill:
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes to firm up the truffle balls.
- Melt White Chocolate:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Dip Truffles:
- Using a fork, dip each chilled truffle into the melted white chocolate, making sure to coat it completely. Allow any excess chocolate to drip off.
- Top with Crushed Peppermint:
- Place the dipped truffles back on the lined baking sheet and immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes or peppermint candies on top.
- Chill Again:
- Place the truffles back in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set completely.
- Prepare Cookies:
Enjoy dining with your friends and loved ones!
We hope you have fun baking and enjoying these delicious dishes with your friends and loved ones. These recipes should help you create a delicious holiday dinner without spending too much time in the kitchen. Enjoy your festive meals and treats!
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