Celebrate With (Easy) Holiday Favorites

The holidays and special occasions are all about spending time with the people you love—and good food always makes it better. Whether you’re hosting a dinner, celebrating something special, or just gathering around the table, having a few go-to recipes makes everything feel easier (and more delicious). In this post, here are some of my favorite appetizer, main dish, and dessert ideas to help make any celebration extra memorable.

Easy Cheese stuffed mushrooms recipe

Easy Cheese stuffed mushrooms recipe

Ingredients:

• 24 large white mushrooms

• 2 tbsp olive oil

• 1/2 cup finely chopped onions

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1/2 cup cream cheese

• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).

2. Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely.

3. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onions and garlic; sauté until softened.

4. Add chopped mushroom stems and cook until tender.

5. Stir in cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, parsley, salt, and pepper.

6. Spoon mixture into mushroom caps. Place on a baking sheet.

7. Bake for 20 minutes, or until mushrooms are tender and tops are golden.

Cranberry Brie Bites

Quick Cranberry Brie Bites

Quick Cranberry Brie Bites recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 sheet puff pastry

• 4 oz Brie cheese, cut into small pieces

• 1/2 cup cranberry sauce

• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Roll out puff pastry and cut into squares.

3. Place a piece of Brie cheese and a spoonful of cranberry sauce on each square.

4. Fold pastry into triangles and seal edges.

5. Brush with beaten egg.

6. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Glazed Ham recipe for the holidays

Honey Glazed Ham

Ingredients:

• 1 fully cooked ham (about 7 lbs / 3.2 kg)

• 1 cup honey

• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F (160°C).

2. Score the surface of the ham in a diamond pattern.

3. Mix honey, Dijon mustard, brown sugar, and apple cider vinegar in a bowl.

4. Brush ham with glaze and place in a roasting pan.

5. Bake for 1.5 to 2 hours, basting with glaze every 30 minutes.

6. Let rest before slicing.

Stuffed Squash with Quinoa, cranberries, feta cheese and walnuts recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 medium butternut squashes

• 1 cup cooked quinoa

• 1/2 cup dried cranberries

• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).

2. Cut butternut squashes in half and scoop out seeds.

3. Brush with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Roast for 30-40 minutes, or until tender.

5. In a bowl, mix quinoa, cranberries, walnuts, and feta cheese.

6. Fill roasted squash halves with stuffing mixture.

7. Return to oven for 10-15 minutes.

Chocolate Hazelnut Tart

Easy Chocolate Hazelnut Tart Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

• 1/4 cup granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup melted butter

• 1 cup heavy cream

• 1 cup dark chocolate, chopped

• 1/2 cup chopped toasted hazelnuts

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).

2. Mix graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a tart pan.

3. Bake for 10 minutes and let cool.

4. Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate and stir until smooth.

5. Pour chocolate filling into the cooled crust.

6. Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts.

7. Chill for at least 2 hours before serving.