Cooking Simple This Christmas

 

With all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays there is no need to prepare complicated family recipes that tax your culinary talents.   Try these simple yet delicious “family favorites” that will make you your family’s favorite this Holiday Season!

Baked Macaroni, Tomato and Cheese Casserole

When things get busy at your house, surprise them with this quick and easy old family favorite. It satisfies with a minimum of time and effort!  

Servings: 4

Ingredients

·         1 ½ cups raw elbow macaroni

·         1 small onion, chopped

·         1 can diced tomatoes

·         1 cup cubed sharp Cheddar cheese

·         1 cup water

·         1 tsp. salt

·         ¼ tsp. black pepper

·         1 tbsp. butter

·         1 cup bread crumbs

Cooking Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease an 8-cup ovenproof casserole with a lid.

In the prepared casserole, combine macaroni, onion, tomatoes, cheese, water, salt and pepper and stir to combine well. Place the lid on the casserole and bake for 1 hour, opening the oven and giving the mixture a stir about halfway through the baking time.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add bread crumbs and cook, stirring, for 8 to 10 minutes or until the crumbs are lightly toasted.

After the casserole has baked for 1 hour, remove the lid and sprinkle the buttered crumbs over top. Return to the oven, place under the broiler element and broil for 3 to 5 minutes, until browned.

 

 

RIB EYE ROAST WITH MUSTARD AND BLACK PEPPER

 

Who says you have to cook a turkey for Christmas?  Here is gourmet flavor minus the long hours in the kitchen.   This quick and easy main course will have everybody at your house heading back for seconds!    

                                                                                   

Serves 6

 

FOR THE ROAST:

·         4-5lb Rib-eye Roast

·         4 cloves garlic, cut into slivers

·         1 cup (8oz) Dijon Mustard

·         ¼ cup (2fl oz) Soy Sauce

·         4 Tablespoons coarsely ground or cracked black pepper

 

FOR THE SAUCE:

·         ¼ cup (2oz) Dijon Mustard

·         1 tablespoon soy sauce

·         1 cup (8oz) Beef Stock or Beef Broth

·         1 tablespoon cracked pepper

 

Cooking Instructions:

 

To prepare the roast, simply cut incisions at even intervals in the surface of the meat and insert slivers of garlic. Place the meat in a roasting pan. Combine the mustard and soy sauce in a mixing bowl and then spread the mixture over the roast. Then generously top the roast with coarsely ground or cracked black pepper.

 

Place the roast in the fridge to allow it to rest for three hours. This is not necessary, but it allows the flavors to absorb into the meat giving you and your family the taste you deserve.

 

Next, preheat the oven to 350°F. Roast the meat for 2 ½ hours for medium or 1 ½ hours for rare. Remove from the oven and let rest on a carving board covered with aluminum foil for 15 minutes before carving to allows the juices flavors to absorb.

 

YAMS SUPREME

 

Except for the sweet potatoes, you probably already have all these ingredients in your pantry.   You will be popping it in the oven after about fifteen minutes of prep time.   

 

Serves 10-12

 

Ingredients:

 

·         8 Medium Sweet Potatoes

·         2 tablespoons orange juice

·         ½ teaspoon cinnamon

·         ¼ teaspoon nutmeg

·         1 cup milk

·         ¾ cup (1 ½ stick) butter

·         3 tablespoons vanilla extract

·         ¾ cup flour

·         1 cup packed brown sugar

·         1 cup chopped pecans

 

Cooking Instructions :

 

Bake the sweet potatoes at 350°F until cooked through. After peeling, place in a bowl and mash the sweet potatoes. Add the orange juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg and mix well.

 

Bring the milk to boil in a saucepan. Stir in ¼ cup butter, brown sugar and vanilla as the milk is coming to a boil. Make sure to stir well to avoid burning. After the milk comes to a boil, let it cook an additional minute to thicken.   Then add it to the sweet potato mixture. Spoon into a baking dish.

 

Mix the flour, ½ cup melted butter, brown sugar, and pecans in a bowl. Spread over the sweet potato mixture. Cover with foil and bake at 350°F for 30 to 40 minutes.

 

Super Easy Apple Pecan Baked Pancakes

This simple yet delicious recipe will become a Christmas morning favorite at your house.  You can get it in the oven while the kids are opening their presents. (Helpful Hint: Goes great with sausage links!)

Serves 4-6

 

Ingredients:

 

·          1/2 cups Bisquick baking mix

·         2 tablespoons melted butter

·         1 cup peeled and sliced Granny Smith apple

·         1/3 cup chopped pecans

·         3 tablespoons maple syrup

·         1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

 

Cooking Instructions :

 

Heat oven to 350 degrees.  Prepare pancake mix according to package directions; and set aside.  Pour melted butter in 9 " pie plate.  Place apple slices in bottom of pie plate; sprinkle cinnamon and pecans and drizzle syrup over apples;  carefully pour batter on top. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until top springs back when touched.  Loosen edges and invert onto a serving plate.  Cut into wedges and serve with warm maple syrup and/or fresh apple butter.