(Family Features) Hosting is a big responsibility, especially during the holidays when the pressure is on to create a magical and memorable experience. Planning a menu and decorating for the occasion is just the start.

Hosting also means ensuring all dishes are cooked to perfection and kept warm until serving time, guests’ dietary needs are considered and table conversation topics are ready. Then, of course, there’s the post-dinner cleanup.

This holiday season, consider these tips to help tackle your hosting duties with grace and create an event you can enjoy, too.

Request RSVPs
Planning a party is even more complicated when you don’t know how many guests you’ll be entertaining. If you create a guest list and ask invitees to let you know their plans, you’ll have a better idea whether you should double your favorite dishes. You’ll also know who has special dietary needs and be able to plan a seating chart that puts everyone at ease. Be sure to include a date that gives guests a specific RSVP deadline and plenty of time for you to adjust your plans before the big day.

Meal Prep as Much as Possible
Get as much of the food preparation out of the way ahead of time as you can. Some dishes can be prepared and even cooked ahead of time so you’re just reheating, but you can also save a lot of time by organizing ingredients for the dishes that must be prepared the day of the event. A good rule of thumb: If it doesn’t have to wait until the day of the party, do it before. That frees up your time so you can handle any unexpected hiccups that arise without piling on more stress.

Simplify the Cleanup Situation
Rely on tried-and-true products that do the heavy lifting for you when it’s time to clean up after the meal. An option like Finish Ultimate Dishwashing Detergent cleans dishes in tough conditions, even without pre-rinsing, so you can focus on what matters during this time of year: spending more time with your loved ones. It removes tough stains like grease and cheese, as well as common holiday dishes like apple pie and mac and cheese. An added bonus: Since you don’t need to pre-rinse, you’ll save up to 20 gallons of water per dishwasher load.

Create Designated Spaces
Guests are likely to arrive with items in hand that need a place to go, like coats, shoes, handbags and gifts. Avoid clutter by determining ahead of time where you want to put these items. If you have a coat closet with space, that’s a good solution, but a nearby bedroom may also be an option. Especially if you’re hosting a potluck meal, be sure to plan ahead for where each course should go, with appetizer bars, dessert tables and a countertop with protective pads for warm foods.

Send Guests Off with a Parting Gift
A memorable event can be made even more so when guests have a token to take with them. Send everyone home on a happy note with a simple gift like a prewrapped holiday treat. Be sure to tuck these away someplace near the door so they’re a pleasant surprise you can access easily when guests begin to make their exits.

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Find more ways to tackle holiday messes and make hosting duties a breeze by visiting finishdishwashing.com.

Post-Party Cleaning Tips

1. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, especially from your partner or children.
2. Prep your table the night before. Get sparkling dishes and glassware by using a product such as Finish Jet-Dry Rinse Aid, which assists in drying and helping your dishes shine when used in the rinse cycle.
3. Start by collecting trash and clutter. Throw trash away and create piles of items that need returned to their proper places. Remember that taking a few extra minutes to organize things like seasonal decor as you go can help make next year’s event easier.
4. Complete each job before moving to the next. Some prefer to tackle a room at a time while others prefer to finish a specific chore, like sweeping the floors throughout the house, before moving on.

Be realistic about what must be done before you sleep. Some tasks really do need immediate attention, like collecting and emptying glasses that could be spilled and safely storing leftover food. The rest can likely wait until after you get some rest.

Jalapeno Cornbread Mac and Cheese

Jalapeno Cornbread:

• 1/2 cup butter, melted, plus additional for greasing pan
• 1 cup medium grind cornmeal
• 1 cup flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup corn
• 1/2 cup chopped jalapeno (about 2 large jalapenos)

Mac and Cheese:

• 1/2 pound dry macaroni
• 2 tablespoons butter, plus additional for greasing pan
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 2 cups milk
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 12 ounces shredded cheese
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• pepper, to taste

1. To make jalapeno cornbread: Preheat oven to 400 F. Butter 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
2. In mixing bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
3. In another bowl, whisk buttermilk, eggs, 1/2 cup melted butter, corn and jalapeno.
4. Add half the liquid ingredients to dry mixture, stirring just until blended. Add rest of liquid and stir until just blended. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake 30-35 minutes, or until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Set aside to cool.
5. To make mac and cheese: Bring large pot of water to boil. Add macaroni and cook according to package directions. Drain under cold water and set aside.
6. Preheat oven to 350 F. Butter 9-by-9-inch square baking dish.
7. In heavy saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add flour and whisk over low heat 3-5 minutes, making sure not to brown.
8. Whisk in milk and cook over medium heat, whisking often until mixture thickens, about 5 minutes.
9. Stir in mustard and cheese. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Add macaroni and stir until noodles are coated with cheese mixture. Pour mixture into prepared pan. Use back of spoon or spatula to even out mixture in pan.
10. Bake 25 minutes until mixture is bubbly.
11. Remove from oven, turn oven to broil and place rack on second from top. Break up about 1/3-1/2 of the cornbread into small pieces; place even layer of broken-up cornbread over top of mac and cheese. Put mac and cheese under broiler until lightly browned. Serve immediately with remaining cornbread or make ahead and warm before serving.

Tip: For spicier cornbread, keep some jalapeno seeds intact

Photos courtesy of Shutterstock (woman serving meal and family dining together)

SOURCE:
Finish

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

(Family Features) Embrace the color and flavor of tradition this holiday season with new twists on red velvet desserts. These variations on the classic cake can take your celebrations to new heights by throwing it back to childhood with a little bite of the past.

Traditional Holiday Ideas

Take a trip down memory lane with “Cookin’ Savvy” and her delicious takes on tradition: Red Velvet Bundt Cake, Red Velvet Cake Balls and Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts, all of which make it easy for the entire family to join together for some fun (and rich homemade flavor) in the kitchen.

Find more “Cookin’ Savvy” recipes at Culinary.net.

Red Velvet Bundt Cake

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 5 cups powdered sugar
• white sanding sugar (optional)

1. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
2. Grease bundt pan with butter and pour in batter. Bake according to package instructions for bundt cakes then add 10-15 minutes. Let cool before icing.
3. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
4. Ice entire bundt cake or place frosting in piping bag and pipe with back and forth “drip” motion. Sprinkle sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.

Red Velvet Cake Balls

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1/2 stick softened butter
• 4 ounces softened cream cheese
• 1/8 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, plus additional for rolling, divided

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
3. Grease 9-by-13-inch pan and pour in batter. Bake 45 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and use fork to crumble cake then place in large bowl.
5. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar. Mix frosting into bowl with cake.
6. Form cake mixture into balls then roll in powdered sugar.

Red Velvet Cookie Cutouts

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”

• 1 red velvet cake mix
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 heaping tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup milk
• 3 eggs
• 1 stick melted butter

Frosting:

• 1 stick softened butter
• 1 package (8 ounces) softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• white sanding sugar (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 F.
2. In mixing bowl, mix cake mix, flour, cocoa powder and sugar. Blend in milk, eggs and butter.
3. Cover two cookie sheets with parchment paper. Pour half the mixture onto each sheet. Bake 25-30 minutes.
4. Let cookies cool then freeze 1 hour. Use cookie cutters to make desired shapes.
5. To make frosting: In bowl, mix butter, cream cheese and whipping cream. Slowly blend in powdered sugar.
6. Using knife or piping bag, frost cookies. Sprinkle with sanding sugar for sparkly snow appearance, if desired.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.

(Family Features) Many people would agree the holidays are one of the happiest times of the year – but also one of the most stressful. Replace the stress with smiles by cooking easy, delicious dinners that can help make the season a breeze and bring a little holiday happiness to mealtime.

Spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family by turning to easy-to-prepare potato recipes that can make the whole family happy.

For example, when you’re busy trying to cook multiple things at once, free up precious oven real estate while saving time with these Herby Holiday Air Fryer Little Potatoes. For a busy weeknight during the holiday season, potato dishes like this one can be made in an air fryer and customized with a few of your favorite pantry staples. If you don’t have fresh herbs on hand, dried will do the trick.

This recipe and many others can be streamlined with Little Potatoes, which come pre-washed, are small enough they don’t need to be cut and are a fresh, whole food grown on family farms so you can feel good about serving them to your loved ones.

Remember, easy can still be fabulous and festive. This Warm Winter Potato Salad with Cranberries offers the best of both worlds as it comes together in around 7 minutes with seasonal pops of red and green.

This family-friendly side features A Little Roasted Garlic, Rosemary & Thyme Microwave Ready Little Potatoes that simply need to be steamed in the microwave for 5 minutes then tossed with the included seasoning pack – no boiling or peeling required. It’s truly a holiday shortcut, and you can make the recipe even easier by using store-bought honey mustard vinaigrette if you’re short on time to make it from scratch.

Visit littlepotatoes.com to find more ways to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with family.

Herby Holiday Air Fryer Little Potatoes

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Servings: 6

• 1 1/2 pounds Little Potatoes
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil or melted butter
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh or dried herbs, such as parsley, rosemary, sage or oregano, chopped

1. In large bowl, toss potatoes with oil or melted butter. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Place in air fryer basket.
2. Air fry potatoes at 390 F for 25 minutes.
3. Once air-fried, sprinkle potatoes with herbs and serve.

Warm Winter Potato Salad with Cranberries

Prep time: 2-5 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
Servings: 4

• 1 package A Little Roasted Garlic, Rosemary & Thyme Microwave Ready Little Potatoes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• 1 small apple, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or other nuts (optional)
• fresh parsley (optional)
• green onions (optional)

1. Prepare potatoes according to package instructions, about 5 minutes, tossing with olive oil and included seasoning pack once cooked.
2. In small bowl, whisk Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar and honey or maple syrup. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
3. In large bowl, toss warm potatoes with cranberries, thinly sliced apple and walnuts, if using.
4. Drizzle mustard dressing over top and gently mix until well-coated.
5. Top with fresh parsley or green onions, if desired, for pop of color. Serve warm.

Tips: If you like more texture, toast walnuts for extra crunch. For added creaminess, mix 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt or mayonnaise into dressing. To save time or reduce ingredients needed, use storebought honey mustard vinaigrette.

SOURCE:
The Little Potato Company

At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.

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Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.