Let’s face it: the best part of the holiday season is the amazing food stuffs our moms whip up. Coming home to a beautiful meal or even just helping a little bit in the kitchen is always great on a holiday, but what happens when mama can’t give you that home cooked deliciousness anymore? What if, god forbid, she suggests you host? Or even just asks you to contribute your own dish? Don’t freak out, I’m here to help! Here is my list of easy but classic recipes for the holiday season. Even if you do know what you’re doing in the kitchen, I might give you an idea or two!
1. Ham vs. Turkey?
This debate always pops up around the holidays. Personally, I prefer ham, since it is much easier to cook, especially because it usually comes smoked or cured, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not it is cooked. You just follow the instructions on the package and put it in the oven. Turkey, on the other hand, is a pain in the you-know-what and it tastes like a desert. I would also suggest to you a roasted chicken or perhaps a prime rib. No reason to be traditional about it. Here is a recipe that is not on a package.
2. Yorkshire Pudding, the Elevated Roll
The perfect side for literally any meal, but especially for the holidays. They are basically miniature German pancakes with less sugar, if that comparison helps you at all. It is an English recipe, and as a result, you are supposed to pour gravy over the top. I recommend trying it with and without, because honestly making gravy is a lot sometimes.
3. Pies and Desserts Galore
They are notoriously frustrating to make, particularly if you are making them from scratch. I suggest that you do not attempt to make a pie from scratch! That’s exactly why they sell premade pie crust at the store! They’re not even that expensive, and then you just need to buy fruit filling. You can always substitute premade crust in a recipe. You could also make a different dessert, so I’ve included an apple pie recipe as well as one of my favorite dessert recipes.
4. Drinks!
What’s the holidays without some classic drinks (you know, of the alcoholic kind)? Last Christmas, my sister made an amazing mulled wine, and it was the best part about her coming to visit. Mimosas are kinda fun on Christmas Morning with breakfast because it’s Christmas, so who cares what time it is? Making mixed drinks is a nice way to seem like you put in effort without really trying!
5. Another Main Menu Idea
Pot roast is another excellent Christmas meal, or Christmas Eve if you prefer. It keeps your belly full and warm all night and is a pretty easy thing to make. Just throw a roast in a crockpot for almost the whole day with some veggies and you’re good to go. 6. And It’s Just Not Thanksgiving Without…
Mashed potatoes are crucial to a satisfying, filling meal. Nothing is more comforting or delicious than good mashed potatoes. Sprinkle some cheese and mix it with a mixer and you have the perfect Thanksgiving side. My personal recipe for family sized mashed potatoes appears at the end of this article.
7. One Last Suggestion
Now this is not going to be a recipe, just a friendly holiday suggestion. There’s a tradition in my house. Every year we make sugar cookies and decorate them. Now you can make sugar cookies if you would like. I’m gonna link a recipe but I’ll be honest, I haven’t tried it so who knows what you’re going to get. I suggest that you go to a Harmons and pick up some of their sugar cookies and decorate those because they are just amazing and really the point is drawing frosting d***s on snowmen with your family. Happy holidays, collegiettes!
My Homemade Mashed Potatoes
6-8 potatoes
4 tbls heavy cream
2 tbls butter
1 tbls milk
As much cheese as your heart desires. I personally like feta cheese in potatoes.
1. Boil water in a big ol’ pot. Leave plenty of room at the top as the potatoes are going in that pot.
2. While the water boils skin the potatoes and cut them into cubes. They can be medium cubes, after they are boiled you will blend them all together so keep that in mind.
3. Boil the potatoes until they are soft. To check if they are soft, stab them with a fork and take a bite. If they are hard to stab they are not ready. If they are hard to bite they are not ready.
4. Strain the potatoes so they are out of the water and place them in a large mixing bowl. I would recommend getting some help with this, the pot is extra heavy and very hot.
5. Mash the potatoes with a large fork. You know, the ones that serve no real purpose because they are so large.
6. Add heavy cream, butter, and milk. Probably a good idea to melt the butter first.
7. Then mix them with an electric mixer. You can try the electric mixer right away, but you might make a mess.
8. Add the cheese. Mix with mixer.
9. Serve.
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