HOLIDAY TRADITIONS with a New Twist

12/13/2019

Holiday Traditions with a New Twist

We all cherish our family traditions and wouldn’t rather lose a friend than insult our Grandma’s deviled egg recipe…but isn’t it time to spice things up a little?  Many of us did the traditional Thanksgiving Day meal and thinking about repeating it all at Christmas can be a little redundant.  So, we brainstormed a little and came up with some new twists on some old holiday favorite recipes that keep the traditions alive but also fresh and new!

Who doesn’t love green bean casserole?  We all know it’s a crowd pleaser but; we all also just had it at Thanksgiving.  Why not try a new twist like Spicy Szechuan Green Beans?  Seasoned with a trace of Szechuan pepper, chili paste, ginger, and soy, they’re certain to pop on your Christmas table.

Mashed potatoes on the menu?  Of course they are because they’re creamy and delicious and the epitome of comfort food!  How could they possibly get any better?  Well, let us tell you!  We call it Cheesy Mashed Potatoes with Corn and Furikake.  This unique combo of potatoes, corn, gruyère cheese, and Japanese furikake seasoning takes a conventional holiday aspect to new heights. Furikake is made up of an umami-rich mix of dried fish, sesame seeds, and chopped seaweed, which is able to add a great deal of taste to easy mashed potatoes.

Brussels sprouts make an appearance on many Christmas tables, although they may not be the most popular dish…maybe because they aren’t always the most flavorful! This recipe pairs the miniature cabbages with a sweet-and-savory sauce and a little bit of a kick; and for that reason, we call it General Tso’s Brussel Sprouts.  These flavors will pair well with many different dishes on your Christmas buffet!

We know you love sweet potato casserole and trust us, we do too.  But hear us out for a second!   Sweet potatoes get a makeover when you make Tumeric and Garlic Mashed Sweet Potatoes.  Gone is the gooey, corn syrup-laden marshmallow topping: as a substitute, anti-inflammatory garlic and turmeric give this recipe a savory zing that will please the taste buds and provide health benefits!  Win win!

You can’t go wrong with dessert and you’ll never hear us complain about cookies or pie.  But just in case you’re looking for something new to try, might we suggest Bourbon and Honey Apple Crisp!  This apple crisp is the supreme grown-up dessert. Featuring seasonal apples, pecans, oats, and a splash (or more) of bourbon, it is a scrumptious solution to conclude your Christmas menu!