Top Holiday Recipes to Try

Holiday recipes are here and we're so excited to get things cooking in the kitchen!

Food is definitely an exciting aspect of the holiday season. We all know that this time of year brings so many parties and events, and with that comes food. We are basically surrounded by delicious food all season long. Check out a couple fabulous holiday recipes to try, as well as some of the appliances you’ll need to whip them up.

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Recipe #1: White Chocolate Macadamia Cookies

I think it’s safe to say most people, if not everyone love cookies. They are sweet, delicious, and so versatile. Cookies seem to be a very popular choice during the holidays since they are comforting and make the house smell delicious and homey. They are the perfect snack for guests to munch on, and also make a great hostess gift when going to someone else’s house.

These white chocolate macadamia cookies are perfectly simple, yet scrumptious. Our top tip: Make them your own. Swap the macadamia nuts for pecans, and instead of white chocolate, throw in some salted caramel chippets. You could also use semi-sweet chocolate, as well as walnuts.

Rakuten Holiday Cookie Recipe
INGREDIENTS

1 cup (250 ml) unbleached all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon (1 ml) baking soda
1 pinch salt
1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup (180 ml) brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup (125 ml) unsalted macadamia nuts
4 oz (115 g) white chocolate, coarsely chopped

PREPARATION
  1. With the rack in the middle position, preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt. Set aside.
  3. In another bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar with an electric mixer. Add the egg and beat until smooth and creamy. Using a wooden spoon, stir in the dry ingredients, nuts and chocolate.
  4. With floured hands, shape dough into balls, about 30 ml (2 tablespoons) each. Arrange 8 balls on each baking sheet. Bake one sheet at a time until the cookies start to brown lightly around the edges, about 7 minutes. The cookies will be very soft in the centre.
  5. Let cool on the cookie sheet.

Recipe from Ricardo.

Recipe #2 Holiday Dreamy Dip

Dips make for the perfect snack or appetizer when you’re having company over, and usually don’t take too much preparation. They are also a tasty option to bring to any potluck. There are tons of different dip recipes, as well as items that can be dipped, such as vegetables, crackers, pretzels, pita, fruit, and more. This creamy dip recipe below contains cream cheese, pecans, craisins, as well as some spices, for a taste of sweet and savoury.

You could totally switch it up by presenting it in a pretty way, such as throwing in some goat cheese and rolling it into balls. These can be served with pretzel sticks, and can be easily popped into people’s mouths. Why not spice it up a little by adding some sour cream, bacon bits and hot sauce? This indulgent dip is sure to be a crowd pleaser, especially when served with tortilla chips or pita chips.

Rakuten Holiday Dip Recipe

INGREDIENTS

1 8 oz. container Cream Cheese
1/3 cup toasted pecans (chopped)
1/3 cup craisins (chopped)
3 tbsp basil; 3 tbsp parsley (finely chopped)
2 cloves garlic (or to taste)
2 tbsp olive oil

PREPARATION

Soften cheese & combine all. Let sit. (So easy!)

Much of the holidays are spent in the kitchen preparing food for your loved ones. You are definitely going to need the right tools and appliances to get the job done.

The KitchenAid stand mixer is by far one of the most useful appliances you could own. It can be used for baking or cooking, and has plenty of attachments for all different purposes. This is perfect for mixing your cookie dough, making homemade bread, and just about any other holiday treat you can imagine. Head to Hudson’s Bay to pick one up, and choose from the variety of pretty colours.

An Instant Pot is all the rage right now, and for good reason. This acts like a slow cooker, but is WAY faster. You don’t have to wait hours and hours for everything to cook. The Instant Pot is a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, steamer, warmer, and can sauté, all in one. All your holiday cooking can be made so easy with this one appliance from Amazon.

Blenders are also a super helpful tool in the kitchen. Whether you’re whipping up a breakfast smoothie, making sauces, soups, or even making pancake or cookie batter, a blender can be your best friend. There is a variety of blenders to choose from, depending on your budget. From a high-end Vitamix to a well-priced brand, there are several home stores to shop from & score Cash Back. Make holiday cooking and baking easy by throwing everything into the blender, instead of using so many bowls, allowing for a quick and easy clean up.

Get in the kitchen and try these holiday recipes. Your family and friends are sure to devour them in no time. These appliances are also going to come in handy to help make preparation a breeze. If you’re feeling creative, try any of the variations of the recipes, or come up with your own! Save money while eating well!
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