EDIBLES
Festive peppermint snacks with flavorful pop
(Family Features) Among the many enchanting elements of the holiday season, the family traditions and familiar flavors of favorite foods enjoyed year after year bring loved ones together better than perhaps any other occasion. From decorating wreaths and trees to crafting ornaments and preparing classic recipes, it’s a season of cherishing memories and creating new ones.
While there are countless ingredients that harken to the taste of holidays past, there’s one sweet favorite that truly symbolizes the season: peppermint. Whether enjoyed in the familiar shape of a candy cane – the original kid-favorite – or added to recipes from beverages to desserts and everything in between, it’s a delicious way to connect generations.
For example, these Jingle Balls provide a perfect kid-friendly project to keep them busy rolling popcorn balls in sparkling colored sugar for bite-size bits of holiday magic. They’re equal parts holiday spirit and sweet appetizer, snack or dessert. Just be sure to have an adult melt together the butter, marshmallows and peppermint extract before letting little ones show off their creativity.
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark offers another way for everyone to get in on the fun. The taste of peppermint and white chocolate make this a perfect holiday treat for sharing with a crowd. Plus, the easy prep means less time in the kitchen and more time savoring the classic flavors.
Better yet, it makes for a delicious gift to send off with guests as another festive celebration comes to a close. Simply package in a small, clear bag tied off with a colorful bow so loved ones can enjoy the tastes of the season in the days to follow.
These favorites are made possible by the versatility of popcorn, one of America’s most beloved snack foods. Celebrated for its seed-to-snack simplicity, popcorn’s smell, taste and versatility mean it can enhance any occasion as a budget-friendly solution for family gatherings.
Discover more delicious holiday snacks at popcorn.org.
Jingle Balls
Yield: 12 cups
- Nonstick cooking spray
- 12 cups popped popcorn
- 6 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 3 cups mini marshmallows
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
- assorted colored sugars
- Lightly spray large mixing bowl with nonstick cooking spray. Add popcorn.
- Spread plastic wrap on cookie sheet; set aside.
- In medium saucepan, melt butter and marshmallows; stir until mixture is smooth. Stir in peppermint extract. Pour over popcorn, mixing until well coated. Let cool 2 minutes.
- Spray hands with cooking spray and form popcorn mixture into 3-inch balls. Gently press colored sugar onto balls. Let sit on prepared cookie sheet until cool and set.
White Chocolate Peppermint Popcorn Bark
Yield: 1 pound
- 5 cups popped popcorn
- 12 ounces white chocolate baking chips, chopped white chocolate or white candy coating
- 1 cup crushed hard candy peppermints
- Cover baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.
- Place popcorn in large bowl; set aside.
- In double boiler over barely simmering water, melt chocolate, stirring until smooth, or melt according to package directions. Stir in crushed peppermints.
- Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat. Spread onto prepared pan; cool completely.
- When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving.
- Store in airtight container at room temperature.
SOURCE:
Popcorn Board
EDIBLES
Smoke your Thanksgiving turkey for tasty twist on tradition
(Culinary.net) Make room in the oven this Thanksgiving with a Spatchcock Smoked Turkey recipe that stays moist and tender. By relying on the smoker rather than a traditional baked bird, you can keep the oven freed up for savory sides and delectable desserts.
Visit Culinary.net to find more Thanksgiving recipes.
Spatchcock Smoked Turkey
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-10
- 1 stick melted butter
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 2 tablespoons onion powder
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- 2 tablespoons lemon powder
- 1 turkey (10 pounds)
- Heat smoker to 225 F.
- Mix melted butter, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and lemon powder. Rub entire turkey front and back with butter mixture.
- Smoke turkey until it reaches internal temperature of 150 F. While turkey finishes smoking, heat grill to at least 450 F.
- Sear turkey on grill until internal temperature reaches 165 F, about 10-15 minutes. Flip turkey breast side down 30 seconds to crisp skin. Use pizza peel to remove from grill.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Find Comfort in a One-Pot Pie
(Family Features) That first day of chilly weather always feels the coldest before you’re accustomed to it, and an easy, warm, filling meal can help hit the spot. Better yet, this rendition of Shepherd’s Pie is made with just one pot so cleanup can be a snap.
Visit Culinary.net for more one-dish meal ideas that bring comfort to cool days.
Shepherd’s Pie
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 8-12
- 1 pound ground beef
- 6 medium potatoes, peeled
- 2 teaspoons thyme, divided
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
- 1/2 cup beef broth
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1 bag (12 ounces) frozen mixed veggies
- Heat oven to 350 F.
- In Dutch oven, brown ground beef and drain fat.
- Boil potatoes until fork tender and mash them. Add 1 teaspoon thyme, salt and pepper, to taste, and set aside.
- Place ground beef back in Dutch oven and mix in onion powder, tomato paste, beef broth, garlic powder, cream and remaining thyme. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in frozen veggies.
- Cover meat mixture with potatoes and bake 25-30 minutes.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
Homemade meals to tackle takeout cravings
(Family Features) Many busy weeknights come down to one decision for frazzled families: cook at home or give in to takeout cravings. Instead of stressing over a decision, enjoy the best of both worlds and make Asian-inspired dishes from the comfort of your own kitchen.
Featuring a blend of chilled, freshly chopped vegetables; ready-to-eat, pre-cooked noodles; gourmet dressing sauce; and crispy toppings, Fresh Express Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kits offer two meal options in every bag – hot or cold – so you can make your salad, your way. Available in Teriyaki, Asian Sweet Ginger and Korean Sesame flavors, they’re the perfect inspiration for making takeout-style dishes at home.
Consider this Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad recipe, which combines juicy steak with crisp vegetables and pre-cooked Udon noodles for the ultimate at-home comfort food in an effortless meal. For a quick and delicious solution that may just become a family go-to, these Teriyaki Tofu Bowls are jam-packed with flavor, noodles and fresh veggies.
These homemade favorites feature a delicious blend of broccoli, red and green cabbage, kale, shredded carrots, radish and green onions in Fresh Express’s Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit. The vegetable blend is tossed with pre-cooked Udon noodles, white sesame seeds and crunchy wontons then finished with a gourmet teriyaki dressing sauce for familiar Asian flavor.
Visit freshexpress.com/hot-or-cold to discover more than 300 fresh recipes and find a store near you.
Marinated Teriyaki Steak with Teriyaki Noodle Salad
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 24 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1/2 cup dark soy sauce
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon Sriracha sauce
- 1/2 cup unsalted chicken stock
- 1 pound flank steak
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Hot or Cold Teriyaki Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
- In saucepan, add soy sauce, brown sugar, Sriracha sauce and chicken stock; bring to simmer while whisking. Simmer 4 minutes.
- Cool mixture down until cool to touch, about 20 minutes.
- Slice steak into thin strips and place in bowl. Pour marinade over steak and marinate for 1 hour.
- In large pan over medium-high heat, stir-fry steak 2 minutes.
- Remove steak from pan and allow to rest.
- In same pan used for steak, add oil and cook hot or cold kit according to instructions on bag.
- Add steak back to pan and stir to incorporate.
- Garnish with toppings from hot or cold kit and serve.
Teriyaki Tofu Bowls
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 4
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons dark soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon fresh grated ginger
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons white pepper
- 2 teaspoons Chinese five-spice
- 1/3 cup neutral oil
- 1 package (16 ounces) extra-firm tofu, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
- 1 bag (16.9 ounces) Fresh Express Teriyaki Hot or Cold Salad and Noodle Meal Kit
- In bowl, whisk vinegar, dark soy sauce, honey, ginger, garlic, white pepper and Chinese five-spice until combined.
- Slowly pour oil into mixture while whisking vigorously. Place cut tofu in mixture and allow to sit 15 minutes.
- Bring large saute pan to medium-high heat and place tofu in, turning when crust forms.
- When tofu is finished, set aside and prepare hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.
- Serve with tofu on top of hot or cold salad and noodle meal kit.
SOURCE:
Fresh Express
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