Holiday Kitchen Hacks
The holidays are here, and it’s time to feed people. One of the greatest joys of the season is the many opportunities we get to gather with friends and family. These celebrations usually involve food. If it’s your turn to host or you need to bring your favorite dish, it’s a good idea to have some handy shortcuts at the ready, so you can spend less time in the kitchen and more time with the people you love. Here are four surefire kitchen hacks to use this holiday season:
Frozen Meatballs
Frozen meatballs are endlessly versatile. With a bag or two of the best brand of frozen meatballs in your freezer, you are ready to take on any festive feast. For the holidays, look beyond spaghetti and meatballs. (Though, in a pinch, spaghetti’s a perfect last-minute meal for unexpected guests and meatballs will elevate the dish instantly.) Meatballs work well in soups and casseroles and are also easy to serve as a stand-alone appetizer. They pair well with many flavors, from BBQ to sweet and sour. They can be cooked directly from frozen or simmered all day. Frozen meatballs can do whatever you need them to do.
Slow Cookers
Your slow cooker is your best friend during busy holiday months. Slow cooker recipes are typically easy and come together quickly, saving you time on slow or tedious prep. They also tend to feed a crowd, so it’s easy to satisfy the appetites of all your favorite people. And, once you set the cooker, you can leave it to do its thing and enjoy your guests. Plus, slow cookers make other things besides dinners, such as delicious mulled ciders, warm cocoas, and even hearty overnight oats for hungry tummies on holiday mornings.
Frozen Butter
Every holiday recipe calls for butter—every single one. And, even though we all know that, there’s always at least one last-minute trip to the market every holiday season to buy butter. The good news is that butter freezes perfectly. Start stocking up now and stick those creamy cubes in the deep freeze so you won’t get caught butterless ever again.
Candy Cane Dust
Never throw old candy canes away. Instead, throw them into your food processor and pulverize them into a powder that can be stored in a jar. This magic candy cane dust can be added to all sorts of recipes to make them festive.
- Stir a spoonful into your hot cocoa.
- Dip your cocktail glass rims into this pepperminty powder
- Sprinkle it onto whipped cream, ice cream, or chocolate mousse
- Roll cookie dough in it before baking
It’s a simple idea to add fun to your holidays.
Make your holidays easier and more enjoyable with these hacks.
