You know the old Christmas Tune with the Turtle doves, Golden Rings, etc. Well this is my Blog version that starts today and runs for 12 days, where I will feature some inspiration, tips and ideas on things that might help the Holidays go more smoothly! To kick it off this December 1st, it's all about one of my favourite topics
-FOOD-
From the days where you've been out shopping at the mall all day long and don't have the energy to dial the phone for take out, let alone cook up a delish (and healthy) meal for you and the fam, to Apps to serve at your next cocktail party and dishes for the main event - I've gathered Internet inspiration and have a few things of my own to share. I hope you'll enjoy!
DINNER IN A HURRY
*To start off, a couple of links for those perfect holiday HUSTLE and BUSTLE menu items, or should I say dinner ideas for those nights where you barely have time to hang your hat and scarf, let alone cook anything! One of my favourite sites to go to for cooking inspiration is KRAFT foods Canada. I love their simple to cook recipes, how you can plug in the ingredients that you want to use and then they give you a list of recipes that you can cook, and I love the "Cooking School" button!
A recipe from them that falls into this category perfectly;
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| Noddles or Rice-YUM! |
*The slow-cooker can definitely become your best friend this time of year, but there are also the Make-Aheads. My ALL-TIME FAVE cookbook author has penned many Make-Ahead recipes that will have the hungry masses you feed RAVING! None other than Jean Pare
and her Company's Coming Series . One of my Favourites (+my 3 boys, well 4 if you count Hubby) is the Sloppy-Joes!
Whether using the slow-cooker or prepping in the skillet on the weekend to get ready for a busy week of Christmas concerts, shopping and parties this one is a "KEEPER" recipe!
TASTY MORSELS
*Now if you happen to be hosting a SHIN-DIG of your own let me share some DEVINE apps that won't have you running from Guest to kitchen all night long, leaving you no time for actual visiting!
My "Go To" appetiser is something I can remember my Mom making for company when I was little;
Bacon-Wrapped Maraschino Cherries!
Yum!!
Yum!!
And then a few years ago my Very Best Friend, Amy L., showed me a delish variation that I now make all the time as well -
Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts!
MMMMmmm!
MMMMmmm!
These are both VERY ADDICTIVE! Note: do not - I repeat - DO NOT stand or sit next to the plate/tray or platter that you serve these morsels on, it is all to easy to eat the whole plateful! The recipe is very simple though!
INGREDIENTS:
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. Bacon (Maple flavour add a nice sweetness too)
1 Jar Red Maraschino Cherries-you could use the green ones too, I've just always used red.
1 Can Water Chestnuts
HOW TO:
1) Cut bacon into thirds
2) Drain Cherries and Water Chestnuts
3) Wrap 1 Cherry with 1 piece of bacon, skewer with toothpick individually or onto a full skewer (5 or 6 will fit nicely). Repeat with remaining Cherries and water chestnuts until all the bacon is gone.
4) Cook in Pre-heated oven at 350 F. for 10-15 minutes until Bacon is cooked to desired. Remove and place on paper towel then serving dish.
5) ENJOY!
These won't last long but along with a veggie platter, fruit tray, Cheese and Cracker Plate all will be Well!
*Don't forget M & M's has several collections of appetiser's that are quick and make you look FAB. From their Gourmet Hot Dips to their International Collection, you can create a bountiful spread for sure! My new favourite is the Jumbo Coconut Shrimp!
All I can say is that this is Yummy!!
ALL HAIL KING GOBBLER!
*So we all know that Turkey is KING when it comes to the Family Holiday Dinner. But every once in a while-especially when I am hosting- I like to SPICE things up a little! If I do, I ALWAYS (well almost always ;) ) offer some Turkey for the "Traditionalists" at my table! Usually cooking a Turkey Breast is enough.
My friend Darrell from D's Quality Meats has an AMAZING selection of Ontario Meats that would be perfect to offer Guests, whether you're serving Turkey (Don't forget to order one soon!) or something else.
If you're looking for an alternative to the Turkey King this year, Darrell has this to say;
"Prime Rib Roasts are always very popular, lamb is becoming more and more popular every year. At my house everyone loves Ham!"
Don't forget to stop in if you are in the Angus, Ontario area, he is located at 4 Pine River Road. Darrell along with his staff Mike and Dan are there Happy to help make your meals (every day or Holiday) GREAT!
*Along with Turkey, you have to have STUFFING, well according to my Sweetheart anyway! After trying several times to duplicate my Mother's Stuffing success or that of my Mother in Law (and failing miserably), I decided it was time to find my own "MUST HAVE STUFFING". I searched and tested everything from cornbread and Rice to Nuts and Mushrooms, finally I found a recipe that I could call my own!
From Pampered Chef in their Fall/Winter Catalogue 2007 there it was; Sausage and Apple Herbed Stuffing! It makes LOADS (which equals lots of leftovers=Happy Hubby!), is simple to make. You don't need any oddity ingredient and dare I say it "Tastes GRRReat!" (It's okay to think Tony T. I did!). If you're interested in this recipe let me know, it's a TASTY addition to your Holiday Table!
Now for my favourite subject......
SWEETS!
SWEETS!
With so many to choose from at this time of year, and all of us having our Family Must haves it's difficult to narrow down to a few new things to try, but I've done my best and here are my Top 5!
1) 2Sweeties: This is a wonderful business that was started by two Moms who were looking for tasty treats that were a little bit different form the same-ol-same-ol. After one creative and tasty Holiday, other Occasions and themes soon followed! Serving the Toronto/GTA, they are located in Markham, their mission is
"To create delicious and unique treats specially tailored to the occasion large or small. " Find them on Facebook or e-mail them at twosweeties@live.com
1) 2Sweeties: This is a wonderful business that was started by two Moms who were looking for tasty treats that were a little bit different form the same-ol-same-ol. After one creative and tasty Holiday, other Occasions and themes soon followed! Serving the Toronto/GTA, they are located in Markham, their mission is
"To create delicious and unique treats specially tailored to the occasion large or small. " Find them on Facebook or e-mail them at twosweeties@live.com
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| Adorable Santa Hat and Tree Cake Pops! |
2) Cupcakes with SWEET Toppers, such as;
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| From Half-Baked find a tutorial here |
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| Santa Hat toppers from Edible Details featured at Celebrations At Home for a party styled by Shindig Parties to Go |
And one for good measure (because I LOVE Snowmen!)
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| From Cup Cake Creations |
3) I have recently discovered this next business, I just found out yesterday that they will deliver to Canada! I can say I have never seen anything like the products available at Madyson's Marshmallows! This wonderful company started with a child's curiosity and 4 years later this Husband and Wife team have an incredibly successful Gourmet Marshmallow business! Offering so many delectable designs, I'll tease you with just one, but you really MUST go and check them out!
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| These Ornaments would make a perfect gift for Teacher/Friend/Many others on your List! |
4) So excited that just this week this next business announced a new partnership, and will soon be debuting a Holiday menu! Don't miss ordering a smorsel from Cutie Pies! Serving the Orangeville area, they can be reached by e-mail cutiepies@hotmail.ca They can also be found on Facebook, couldn't decide what to show you so you lucky-duckies get a sneak peek at two tasty numbers!
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| Maple Pecan Scones-YUM! |
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| Candy Cane Biscotti! |
Because I love this topic so much, there will be more said about Sweets throughout the month of December! Including some Bakery features as well as some Favourite family recipes!
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