It's that time of
year for family gatherings and foods to celebrate the holidays. You would like
to serve your family and friends a healthy meal, but do not want to spend much
time in the kitchen. You want to spend more time celebrating the holidays with
your family and loved ones. It can be done. Here are some Christmas foodie
shortcuts that contain four quick and simple recipes for families this
Christmas. Get all family members into the kitchen, including your kids, to
help out and reduce your stress level.
For a snack, make
some:
Holiday
Stuffed Celery Sticks
* Buy a bunch of celery hearts or celery.
Cut off the bottom 1" portion of the celery bunch, so you can easily
separate the stalks. Clean thoroughly with cold water and cut into 2"
pieces. *
* Divide the celery stalks into two
portions. One portion will go onto the serving tray. The other portion needs to
be set aside for filling purposes.
* Prepare a large serving tray by placing a
large cup in the center part. Place one portion of the celery chunks onto
one-half of the tray. For more variety, place some peeled baby carrots on the
tray. Let the kids place the veggies on the tray, it's simple and easy.
* For the filling, let a package of cream
cheese sit at room temperature for an hour. This allows the cheese to soften
enough to work with properly.
* Make a filling called Herbed Cream
Cheese. This recipe calls for:
Placing one
package of softened cream cheese into a small mixing bowl.
Chop up some fresh
parsley, basil, rosemary and thyme.
Add the herbs to
the creamed cheese.
Mix the herbs into
the cream cheese until evenly distributed.
Divide the mixture
in half.
Place half the
herbed cheese mixture into the serving cup on the large vegetable serving tray.
Use the other half
to fill the center of the celery sticks.
Have the kids help
fill up the celery sticks. It's easy and fun.
Or, for ease,
simply mix the creamed cheese with some dried Italian seasoning.
* For variety, have the kids fill up some
celery sticks with peanut butter. Placing some raisins on top adds extra taste
and fun.
Starter Recipe:
Have a tasty and
nutritious bowl of minestrone soup as your starter dish. For a quick and simple
recipe, buy a bag of cut fresh veggies. Find a bag from your grocery store that
contains broccoli, carrots, onions and cauliflower.
* Fill a Dutch oven with 4 cups of water.
* Place the pan on a stove burner over
medium heat.
* Add the veggies to the water.
* Add two 15-oz. cans diced tomatoes.
* Add 2 tbsp Italian seasoning.
* Add one 15-oz. can kidney beans.
* Bring the water to boil and stir
thoroughly.
* Reduce heat and cook for about 20
minutes, until veggies are tender.
* Serve with crackers or bread for a simple
and quick starter dish.
Main Course
Recipe:
Casseroles are
great main courses that do not require much time in the kitchen, giving you
more time to enjoy the festivities.
Let's make a
Turkey Veggie Casserole
* Mix in a large mixing bowl:
3 cups cooked
turkey, diced
1 cup carrot,
peeled and sliced
1 cup broccoli,
cut into pieces
1 medium onion,
sliced
1 8-ounce mushroom
gravy
1 cup water
1 Tbsp. Italian
seasoning
* Preheat oven to 350.
* Prepare a stoneware or glass casserole
dish by lightly spraying with oil. Place the ingredients into the casserole
dish. Cover. Cook for 30 minutes, until you can poke the veggies easily with a
fork or knife.
* Serve warm with a roll.
Dessert Recipe:
Peach Smiles
Kids love peach
smiles because they are fun. Adults love them because they are healthy.
* For this simple and quick dessert recipe,
you will need some raisins and canned peaches. Get some canned cling peaches
that are cut in half. Buy the peaches that are canned in their own juice to cut
down on sugar.
* Have the kids place a peach in the center
of a small serving plate. Then, as a demonstration, place a raisin where the
eyes, nose and smiling mouth would be. Squirt on some whipped cream for the hair.
Give everyone a spoon and let them enjoy!
* Not only will you be serving nutritious
food that your family can enjoy, you will be spending less time in the kitchen
preparing it.
Contributed by
Claire from AuPair.org
