How to Cooking Tips

By

Retro Christmas Recipes Revival

 

Do you remember the Christmas holiday food you had when you were a child? What did your grandparents make that you absolutely adored? What family food traditions have you missed as an adult? Well it’s time to have a retro Christmas recipe revival. Bring back those old favorites this year and relive the Christmas of your youth. Here are three ideas for some old holiday favorites.

 

 

 

#1 Eggnog

Did you know that eggnog may have originated in the middle ages? It’s been a holiday food tradition for quite some time. And while the convenience of buying it in a carton is nice, there’s nothing quite like homemade eggnog. It’s actually quite easy to make.

 

You’ll need:

 

* 4 egg yolks
* 1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon
* 1 pint whole milk
* 1 cup heavy cream
* 3 ounces bourbon
* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
* 4 egg whites

 

Beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

 

Place the egg whites in a separate bowl and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running, gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form like a meringue. Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

 

#2 Gingerbread

Gingerbread is another old-fashioned holiday favorite. Depending on your preferences you can make gingerbread cookies, snaps, gingerbread bread or even a gingerbread house. There are a number of recipes available. They range from quite basic to a quite elaborate. Find one that matches your taste and childhood memories. Did it have cream cheese? Bananas? Was your gingerbread dipped in chocolate? Experiment and enjoy gingerbread this holiday season.

 

#3 Fruit cake

Yes, that lovely cake that gets such a bad rap can actually be quite good. This is especially true when you make it from scratch. Fruitcake is a mixture of fruits and nuts. There’s usually only a small amount of batter, just enough to hold it all together.

 

However, traditional fruit cake isn't for children. It’s usually soaked with alcoholic liquors, then stored in a tightly closed tin. If that sounds like a bit of old-fashioned fun, ask your grandmother for a recipe or take a look online. Like gingerbread there are hundreds of recipes available.

 

Other old-fashioned Christmas recipes might include:

 

* Hot cross buns
* Christmas pudding
* Mince pie

 

And of course ham, turkey, stuffing and the traditional holiday menu. Have fun this holiday and bring back some of the retro recipes you loved as a child. Who knows – you might just bring back an old family tradition.

 

By

Planning Your Christmas Menu

 

As you prepare for Christmas dinner with your family, you may be wondering how to set your dinner table. Here are some ideas to get your creativity started:

 

 

 

Plan Your Menu – The first and most important step is to plan your menu. Does your family usually serve a traditional Christmas dinner? Do they like tradition, or would they mind something new? What types of meat does your family eat?

 

Once you have decided on the main meat (turkey, chicken, duck, pork, etc.), now you should decide what vegetables to serve. Is anyone allergic to any particular foods? Do certain members have certain vegetables they prefer to eat with their meat? Plan a nice variety to ensure that everyone will find something they like.

 

Next, plan your sides and desserts. Will you serve dinner rolls? What types of drinks will you offer? What desserts does everyone like?

 

When you plan your Christmas menu, remember that it is okay to ask for help. Perhaps it will be easier on you to call your guests and ask that everyone bring their favorite dish or dessert. This will take a lot of stress off you and ensures that there is a nice variety of food to eat.

 

Set the Table – Now that your dinner is planned, you’re ready to set the table. Try going for a theme that will encompass your dinner. Are you serving lots of casseroles? Go for a country-themed setting. Are you planning a four-course meal? Create a more elegant setting, with china and stemware.

 

Many family Christmas dinners are relaxed. This may be a good option, especially if you have young children. Create a simple, yet graceful centerpiece with candles and an edible fruit tree. Sometimes simple is best, offset the simple setting with some delicious food and great company for a memorable family Christmas.

 

By

Delicious Homemade Holiday Treats

 

As the holidays approach, people are inundated with goodies. You see the goodies at the grocery store and there are commercials galore showing decadent treats. When it comes to delicious homemade holiday treats, you can make these and become a ‘goody’ hero to your family and friends.

 

1.) Sugar Cookies

One of the easiest holiday treats to make is cookies. There are so many varieties to choose from. Sugar cookies are enjoyed by almost everyone. You can also dress them up by adding frosting or candies. Here’s a simple sugar cookie recipe:

Ingredients:

* 2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
* 3/4 cups softened butter or margarine
* 1-1/4 cups sugar
* 1 egg
* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
* Pinch of salt
* Green, red and yellow sugar (coloring optional)
* Red cinnamon or other small candies (optional)

How to Prepare:

  • Begin by mixing the dry ingredients together in a bowl. In a large bowl, beat the egg and then add the butter and sugar, beating until creamy. Add the vanilla followed by the dry ingredients in small amounts, and stir to ensure the mixture is incorporated.
  • Roll out the dough on a floured surface to about 1/2 inch thick. Using cookie cutters, cut out the shapes and place them on an ungreased cookie sheet. Sprinkle the sugar (colored or not) on top of the cookies before baking them in a 375 degree oven. These will bake for about 8 minutes.
  • Remove the cookies from the baking sheet and gently press the candies into the cookies while they’re still warm. Allow them to cool and then arrange them on a plate or in a box if they’re to be given as a gift.

 

2.) Healthy Granola

Have you priced granola lately? It can seem so expensive to enjoy wholesome granola, but it doesn’t have to be. This recipe will make 15 cups of granola – enough for you to enjoy and share with loved ones.

 

Ingredients:

* 6 cups old-fashioned oats
* 8 ounces sliced almonds
* 1 cup dried cranberries
* 1 cup chopped dried apricots
* 1 cup light-brown sugar
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1-1/2 sticks unsalted butter
* 1/2 cup honey

 

How to Prepare:

  • Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
  • Combine all ingredients, except the butter and honey, in a large bowl.
  • In a saucepan, heat the butter and honey over medium heat.
  • Pour this over the granola and toss to mix thoroughly.
  • Spread the granola on a lined baking pan and bake until the oats look toasted and the sugar caramelizes. This will take 35-40 minutes.
  • Stir occasionally.
  • Allow the granola to cool and then store it in an airtight container.

3.) Hot Chocolate

You can also make your own hot chocolate mix rather than buying pre-made mixes. Here’s how:

 

Ingredients:

* 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
* 3 1/2 tablespoons instant espresso
* 1 cups sugar
* 16 3-inch cinnamon sticks

 

How to Prepare:

  • Place the ingredients, except cinnamon sticks, in a bowl and mix them well.
  • Place the mixture in an airtight container where it can be stored for about six months.
  • To enjoy the cocoa, put two tablespoons of the mix into 1/4 cup water and heat it over medium heat on the stove.
  • When it has dissolved completely, add 3/4 cup of milk and a cinnamon stick.
  • Whisk thoroughly and enjoy!

 

Delicious handmade holiday treats aren’t difficult to make. If you choose to make one or more of the above treats, don’t forget to share. Isn’t that what people look forward to most at the holidays?