There is enough drama around Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner that it’s best to keep some things very simple. The funny thing is, four of the five super simple recipes listed below are the ones that we get requests to make (and for the recipes… I end up emailing at least a couple of my kids or their friends the recipes every holiday season.
So here are 5 Quick Dishes To Make (or Bring) for Thanksgiving or Christmas. whether you’re hosting at home, or bringing these on the road, you’ll be thankful for a few appetizers and deserts you can make (mostly) ahead.
8 oz cream cheese
1 c. Parmesan cheese – shredded
1 c. mayonnaise (low-fat or fat-free is acceptable) (pantry)
½ t. dill weed
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped (pantry)
Preheat oven to 350
Cream the cream cheese, add the Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, dill weed and garlic. Mix well.
Fold in the chopped artichoke hearts and then spoon mixture into a 9×9 pan.
Bake for 30 minutes.
Serve with crackers, toasted baguettes, or toasted pita points.
Serves 8 as an appetizer
Ingredients
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, such as dill, parsley, or basil
Toasted baguette
Goat cheese
Prep
Add the balsamic vinegar and herbs together. Drizzle over slices of toasted baguette or other bread and spread with goat cheese. Finish with another drizzle of vinaigrette. Garnish with thyme.
For those last minute party invites. Just grab a plate and cheese knife from home. You can assemble once you arrive. (Or, if you’re like me, in the backseat of the car while your hubby is driving…)
Grab at the store:
Camembert or other artisan cheese
Carr Water Crackers
1 bunch of green grapes
Roger’s Pumpkin No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
¼ Cup Pumpkin pie filling
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust.
Garnish with
Cinnamon sugar (makes it look baked)
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
Roger’s Cranberry No-Bake Cheesecake
2 sticks of cream cheese
1 Cup of sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla
1 Tablespoon lemon juice
1/3 Cup Whole cranberries in jelly
Pre-made graham cracker crust
Blend until creamy and fluffy
Pour into graham cracker crust
Garnish with any (or all) of the following:
The remaining whole cranberries/jelly. I put this just on the outside edge of the pie.
Orange peel zest
Shaved white chocolate
Refrigerate for a few hours
And don’t forget the TURKEY!
Here’s my recipe that you’re sure to love!
Now it’s your turn. Tell me your can’t miss, so simple it’s embarrassing, recipe that you pull out for the holidays in the comments below.
kathilipp
She and her husband Roger are the parents of four young adults in San Jose, CA. When she’s not dating her husband or hanging out with her puggle Jake, Kathi is speaking at retreats, conferences and women’s events across the US.
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Easy Apple Crisp
4 to 6 Granny Smith Apples, cut up
1/2. To 1/3 cup sugar with some cinnamon mixed in
1. Box Jiffy yellow cake mix
1stick butter
Put apples in baking dish. Evenly distribute cinnamon sugar on top of apples.
Dump Jiffy mix on top of apples. Put stick of butter on top of that. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on how soft you like your apples. Serve with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. This is my no fail dessert. I have undercooked and overlooked. Everyone. seems to love it!!!