19 EASY Holiday Recipes You Can Make in No Time!
Can you believe it? Christmas is 7 days away?! The elves have been scurrying to make sure that we have a great Christmas at the Sykes household. Christmas is less strict than Thanksgiving when it comes to the fare served on your table. If you’re like me, you have a few favorites, but need a little help in deciding what else to have. I’ve come to your Christmas dinner rescue with a list of some great Holiday recipes that are sure to dazzle one and all! I am posting early this week to make sure you have these ideas with plenty of time to round up your Christmas recipes. (SPF will resume its regular schedule on 12/28/13, with more ways to use your holiday leftovers!)
Drinks:
1. Mocktails. These tasty and fun recipes are for nights that you just don’t want to drink alcohol.
2. Hot-Spiced Wine. This is a great drink on a cold night.
Snacks:
3. Caprese Skewers. Caprese salad is mostly thought of as a summer dish, but I think it has a timeless quality about it that adds to any party. These skewers are an easy way to enjoy a caprese salad, appetizer style.
Nuts
Who doesn’t love mixed nuts during the Holidays? These can be made as a snack to enjoy yourself, or a wonderful gift to package in a cute little box and give away!
4. Oven-Roasted Almonds. The rosemary and chili flavors compliment each other really well, and give these nuts a nice kick.
5. Smoky Maple Pecans. (Below the oven-roasted almonds.) Again, complimenting flavors. The smokiness and sweet flavors go so well together. You won’t be able to put these down!
6. Sweet and Spicy Walnuts. These spicy candied-walnuts are so tasty!
7. Strawberry-Balsamic Nut Clusters. This nut mix is so good. The sweet of the strawberries and the tart of the balsamic vinegar are a perfect combination!
8. Stove-Top Popcorn. Curl up with your family, a movie, and these awesome popcorn flavors! Popcorn made on the stove-top always tastes the best! Our flavors have something for everyone!
Condiments:
9. Cranberry Sauce If you are an avid reader of SPF, you probably saw this recipe recently when we did our 3 part Thanksgiving edition. If you’re planning on serving a turkey for Christmas, or even a goose, this homemade and easy cranberry sauce will be the perfect condiment to compliment your bird!
10. Homemade Croutons. Homemade croutons are the best! They are butteryier, crunchier, tastier, and just all around better than store bought croutons. Planning on serving a Caesar salad at the table? These will make the PERFECT compliment to your salad.
11. Prepared Horseradish. Anyone for prime rib on Christmas day? I love a creamy horseradish sauce with my prime rib and au jus. The kick rounds out the rich and buttery flavors of the meat.
Side Dishes:
12. Oven-Roasted Veggies. Except for a few turns of the spatula here and there, this really is a set-and-forget dish. All you need is a little olive oil and your favorite veggies and spices, and you are good to go. This dish is so easy, yet your family will really be impressed with your cooking skills!
13. Oven-Roasted Brussel Sprouts with Bacon and Balsamic Vinegar. I changed my mind about brussel sprouts the first time I had them prepared this way. The outside leaves get crunchy, and the balsamic vinegar caramelizes around the sprouts. The bacon adds the salty component that it needs to balance out the dish.
14. Green Bean Casserole. Who says you can’t have Green Bean Casserole again for Christmas? This is a slightly better-for-you version that tastes almost virtually the same – which is almost exactly.
Desserts:
15. Pumpkin Cookies These may be more of a fall thing, but one thing is for sure: these cookies are comforting during the cold weather.
16. Roll-out Sugar Cookies. Get your rolling pin out and prepare to cut up some Christmas cheer! This easy roll-out recipe can even be made ahead to save you time. All you need are the Santa cookie cutters.
17. Mini Pecan Pies. So far, this is my favorite recipe that I’ve created. The flavors are just amazing. Pecans lend themselves so well to buttery and rich flavors.
Breakfast:
18. Sausage Pancakes. This sweet and savory recipe is perfect for Christmas morning. After you wade through all the paper, not much time is spent in the kitchen. This recipe is easy, and can be prepped the night before for even faster cooking.
19. Healthier Scones. For a perfect lazy morning, or grab on the go, these scones will be a great addition to your holiday fare.
Be safe, and healthy, and have a very Merry Christmas, from Simply Playful Fare!
Crystal is the founder of Simply Playful Fare. She has been in the kitchen for as long as she can remember. She has a degree in English with an emphasis in creative writing.