Famed fable teller Aesop once said, "A crust eaten in peace is better than a banquet partaken in anxiety." Although the holidays are some of the most stressful times of the year, there are plenty of ways to bring the flavors of the holidays to the table without being chained to the kitchen. Break down those complicated family recipes into simple dishes that allow both host and guests to enjoy the holiday meal together.
Semi-Traditional Turkey Menu
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without freshly roasted turkey, but there are simpler ways to go about it than roasting a whole bird. Dip boneless turkey breasts in melted butter and coat them with crushed store-bought herbed stuffing before baking them in the oven, or prepare the stuffing and use turkey cutlets to make easy turkey rollups. Place some vegetables, like fennel, cut-up potatoes, squash and parsnips, on a baking sheet, drizzle them with olive oil, season them with salt and pepper and pop them in the oven for a festive and easy side dish. Instead of slaving over pie crust, use butterscotch pudding and canned pumpkin as the base for a simple pumpkin mousse dessert. Top with a dollop of whipped cream and pumpkin-shaped pastry made from store-bought puff pastry or pie crust dough.
For Carnivores
Although a standing rib roast or juicy prime rib may be the more traditional Christmas dish, simple steaks can deliver on flavor just as well. Season filet mignon with salt and pepper and top with Gorgonzola or bleu cheese before roasting it in the oven. Serve the steaks with baked potatoes, steamed green beans with slivered almonds and store-bought dinner rolls. For a fancier side, steam asparagus in the microwave with a little lemon juice. Bundle three or four spears together and wrap them with a slice of prosciutto. Bring the flavors of the holidays together in a simple parfait by layering vanilla pudding or ice cream with crushed gingerbread cookies or canned apple pie filling. Top the parfait with whipped cream and sprinkle it with a mixture of cinnamon and white sugar.
Ham It Up
There are very few shortcuts for baking a ham, particularly hams that are precooked. Spiral-sliced hams are both precooked and pre-sliced, making them easy to prepare and serve. Just glaze the ham with a mixture of brown sugar mixed with fruit juice and pop it in the oven. Serve the ham with boiled carrots coated with brown sugar and butter, steamed new potatoes seasoned with salt, pepper and freshly chopped dill, and broiled or grilled pineapple slices.
From the Sea
Seafood is a good option for those looking for a lighter holiday meal. In fact, the traditional Christmas Eve meal in many Italian families consists of several fish dishes. For a classic starter, serve a small bowl of angel hair pasta topped with chopped clams sauteed in olive oil with white wine and garlic, or a simple raw bar with oysters, clams and shrimp. For the main course, choose seafood that can be finished in the oven while appetizers are served. Give bay scallops, salmon or swordfish a quick sear in a hot pan, and then finish them in the oven. Top the dish with a white wine and butter sauce with lemon just before serving. Make sure that the side dishes do not overpower the fish. Steamed zucchini, broccoli or peas are good choices for vegetables, and rice pilaf or couscous make complementary sides.
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