A Few New Holiday Recipes
Baking is seriously one of the best forms of therapy! It is relaxing, and depending on what you make, you can end up with dinner or a delicious dessert…maybe even enough to invite a few friends over to enjoy it with. Especially if this is your senior year in high school and you’re leaving for college, you know that your unlimited time with family and friends may be drawing to a close, and it is a good time to savor the holidays before you start the frenzy of graduation and college prep! Here are a few of our favorite recipes to get your holiday season off to the perfect start:
Peppermint Bark: This is the best recipe! It’s super simple, and tastes like it’s straight from a candy shop. It’s the perfect dessert for a party, and also can be given as a beautiful gift if you wrap it in cellophane and add a pretty ribbon. Here’s the recipe from the Food Network:
12 ounces good-quality semisweet chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
1 1/2 teaspoons peppermint extract
1 pound good-quality white chocolate, chopped into 1/2-inch pieces
3 candy canes or 12 round hard peppermint candies, crushed
Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming. Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted.
Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate. Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Roasted Celery and Carrots: If you are ready to take things up a notch in the kitchen, consider making a brand new side dish for that big family meal! Cooking something new is a great skill to perfect before you are living on your own, so why not try your hand at something special like this healthy and delicious veggie side?
Ingredients
3 pounds celery root, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 teaspoon hot paprika
Kosher salt
3 pounds carrots, peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
Place a rimmed baking sheet on the bottom oven rack and preheat to 425 degrees F.
Toss the celery root with 4 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon thyme, 1/2 teaspoon paprika, and salt to taste in a bowl. Pile onto a double layer of heavy-duty foil; bring the ends together and crimp closed to seal. Put the packet on another baking sheet and roast in the middle of the oven until almost tender, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, toss the carrots with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 tablespoon thyme and 1/2 teaspoon paprika in a bowl; season with salt. Spread on the preheated baking sheet and roast until tender, about 35 minutes.
After the celery root has roasted for 25 minutes, open the foil and spread on the baking sheet; roast 15 more minutes. Toss with the carrots and parsley.
Broccoli Mac and Cheese from Rachel Ray: This is a fun twist on a classic side dish, and everyone loves a good mac and cheese dish! Plus, if you learn this easy recipe, you can make a large batch and take it to school for lunch every day in a container with some extra veggies!
Salt
1 small head or bundle broccoli, trimmed into florets
1 small head cauliflower or half a large head, trimmed and cut into florets
1 pound whole-wheat macaroni or penne or other short cut pasta
2 cups sour cream or reduced-fat sour cream
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1/3 cup finely chopped chives
2 cloves garlic, peeled and grated or crushed into paste
A few drops hot sauce
Freshly ground black pepper
2 1/2 cups grated extra-sharp Cheddar
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat. Salt the water and add the broccoli and cauliflower florets. Boil the vegetables for 5 minutes, then remove them with a spider or a strainer and drain. Add the pasta to the water and undercook by about 2 minutes, drain.
Meanwhile, combine the sour cream in a large bowl along with the mustard, chives, garlic, hot sauce and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the pasta and cauliflower and 2/3 of the cheese. Stir to combine, then transfer it to a casserole or baking dish and cover with the remaining cheese. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal.
To heat and eat, put the casserole on baking sheet and bake it in the middle of a preheated 375 degree F oven until deeply golden and bubbly, about 40 to 45 minutes.
(Recipes and photos from The Food Network)
