Easy Christmas Side Dishes

Angel Biscuits, Gingerbread, Rudolph the Red Mashed Potatoes

Dec 18, 2008 Kenda Williams

Here are a few recipes that can highlight the main course for a fun, festive and family-friendly Christmas meal.

Angel Biscuits

Ingredients:

• 5 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 teaspoons baking powder
• ¼ cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ¾ cup shortening
• 1 package yeast
• ¼ cup warm water
• 2 cups buttermilk
• ½ cup melted, cooled butter

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Combine dry ingredients. Use pastry cutter to work in shortening, until evenly distributed and “crumbly.”
2. Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in buttermilk. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. (At this point, dough may be covered and refrigerated up to 3 weeks and used as needed)
3. Roll/pat out dough to ½ inch thick and cut out biscuits. Coat with melted butter.
4. Bake 12-15 minutes until golden. Also, can be made into cinnamon rolls.

Gingerbread

Ingredients:

• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup molasses
• 1 cup cooking oil
• 1 teaspoon each of cloves, cinnamon and ginger

Directions:

1. Place all above ingredients in a large bowl and beat well.
2. Dissolve 2 level teaspoons soda in 1/8 cup hot water and add to beaten mixture.
3. Sift in 2 cups of flour and beat lightly.
4. Pour quickly into pan and bake at 350 degrees in oven for 45 minutes. The batter will seem incredibly thin. Do not make the mistake of adding more flour.

Rudolph the Red Mashed Potatoes

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds red potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
• 3 cloves garlic
• ¼ cup olive oil
• ¾ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon pepper
• Fresh herbs to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium sized saucepan, add potatoes, garlic, herbs and enough water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover and cook 15-20 minutes.
2. Reserve 1/2c of cooking water. Drain potatoes and garlic. Return potatoes and garlic to pan. Over medium heat, shake pan and potatoes until they become dry.
3. Remove from heat and mash potatoes coarsely.
4. Add olive oil, salt and pepper. Slowly stir in enough cooking water to make potatoes fluffy.

Red and Green Talarini

Ingredients:

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 green pepper, chopped
• 1 red pepper, chopped
• 2 onions, chopped
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 can yellow corn, cream or kernel
• 1 can (quart) tomatoes
• 1 pound Velveeta cheese, grated
• 1 (8 oz.) package macaroni
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons garlic salt or tablespoon garlic juice

Directions:

1. Brown meat, onions and peppers in large skillet.
2. Add salt and pepper, corn, tomatoes, chili powder and garlic. Bring to boil and turn to simmer. Simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
3. Cook macaroni in clear water; drain and add to beef mixture. Fold in cheese. Remove from heat.

Try recipes that are easy and quick to fix and that are family friendly with a Christmas-theme, like Sausage Stars.

Also, include festive desserts in your menu, like Chocolate Cinnamon Cake, Glass Candy, and Molasses Cookies.

The copyright of the article Easy Christmas Side Dishes in Seasonal Cooking is owned by Kenda Williams. Permission to republish Easy Christmas Side Dishes in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Mashed Potatoes