There’s nothing like good food on the table to make a holiday get together even more special. However, not all of us are expert chefs. We’ve compiled some recommendations for easy holiday recipes that are flavorful and also relatively simple to whip up, even on short notice.
Easy Christmas Cookie Recipes for the Holidays
Whether you’re in charge of baking some sweet treats for your next holiday get-together or simply want to spread a little holiday cheer, your time in the kitchen doesn’t have to be stressful. Spend less time fussing over ingredients with these easy Christmas cookies recipes.
Easiest Chocolate Chip Cookie Recipe
If you consider yourself a fan of the classics, then you’re sure to enjoy this simple chocolate chip cookie recipe from I Heart Eating. The blog author claims that these soft cookies “can be made from scratch in less than 20 minutes” and you don’t even need an electric mixer.
View the recipe — and instructional video — on the I Heart Eating blog.
Soft and Chewy Gingerbread Cookies
Traditional gingerbread cookies have a thin and crispy texture. This soft and chewy gingerbread cookie recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe is perfect for older adults who have difficulty chewing hard foods. Imagine the texture of a soft and chewy sugar cookie and your mind is on the right track.
Note that this recipe does not include eggs. You can also substitute dairy free butter and coconut milk in place of the regular butter and milk in the recipe for a non-dairy alternative.
View the recipe on Mel’s Kitchen Cafe, a “tried-and-true” recipe blog.
Holiday Gingersnaps
The Cleveland Clinic describes this lower-calorie alternative to your standard Christmas cookie recipe as a “no-fuss — but festive — holiday treat.” Packed with cinnamon and ginger, these holiday gingersnaps are full of flavor. The recipe makes 45 cookies, perfect for sharing.
View the recipe on The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website.
Festive Main Course Recipes for the Holidays
You can still enjoy meat during the holidays and keep things healthy. These festive main course recipes are all relatively easy to make and incorporate lean meats: turkey, salmon and lamb. The best part? You can prepare and cook all of these recipes in around an hour. Bon appétit!
Turkey Meatloaf
The holidays are the perfect time for comfort food and this turkey meatloaf recipe is simple and delicious. Using ground turkey in your meatloaf means you don’t have to fuss with preparing the whole bird and it also is a healthier alternative to ground beef. Give it a try this holiday season!
View the five-star rated recipe on the Food.com website.
Slow-Roasted Salmon With French Herb Salsa
Sure turkey is great, but why not opt for a healthier protein that is also simple to cook? This slow roasted salmon recipe is easy to follow and the French herb salsa adds a nice flavor. It is also a good option to break out when you’re looking to impress your friends over the holidays.
View the recipe on Once Upon a Chef, a blog run by classically trained chef Jenn Segal.
Spicy Lamb and Veggie Shepherd’s Pie
Shepherd’s pie is a classic English dish that is traditionally a casserole with a layer of cooked meat and vegetables, topped with mashed potatoes. This recipe opts for pureed cauliflower in place of potatoes — a most excellent substitute if you’ve never tried it. Impress the friends!
View the recipe on The Cleveland Clinic’s Health Essentials website.
A Vegetarian Option for Your Main Course
Lasagna is a classic dish for the holidays and it’s a reliable option for when you need to come up with a filling main course vegetarian meal for a group of six or seven people on the quick.
Best Vegetable Lasagna
This vegetable lasagna recipe includes plenty of cheese, vegetables, spinach, and a simple homemade tomato sauce. The made-from-scratch sauce is sure to impress any holiday guests. The end result is “a super flavorful, nutrient-dense, veggie-packed lasagna” that tastes great.
View the recipe on Cookie + Cake, a blog dedicated to fresh, vegetarian recipes.
Form New Holiday Traditions at Claridge Court
At Claridge Court, a senior living community in Prairie Village, Kansas, we embrace the holiday spirit through special on-site activities and meals. Residents often form tight-knit connections with their neighbors to celebrate the holidays and lift each other up while creating new traditions.
The Claridge Court independent living experience enables residents to fully enjoy retirement years and provides support on an as-needed basis to accomplish their wellness goals. We offer a variety of floor plans to suit every style so that residents can celebrate the holidays in comfort. And all of these floor plans come equipped with a kitchen for residents who enjoy cooking.
If you’d like to learn more about Claridge Court or see for yourself what makes our community so special, please don’t hesitate to contact us at your convenience.
