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Writer's pictureMeredith Paci

Holiday Recipe Favorites 


The holiday season is in full force, and it’s more than the recipes; it’s about the camaraderie, the shared stories, and the love that fills our hearts. While our recipes bear the imprint of cherished family traditions passed down, it’s the presence of loved ones that truly seasons these moments. Remember, family is not limited to blood but thrives in the company you keep, cultivating memories that span beyond the kitchen


In the spirit of togetherness and treasuring every precious moment, I invite you not just to recreate these recipes, but to capture the essence of these moments through photos, videos, and, most importantly, by participating in the cooking journey. For in these shared experiences lie the heartbeats of family, the laughter that echoes through the kitchen, and the memories we will hold dear. #takethephoto



PS: Between us and our cherished contributors, who have lovingly shared these recipes, artistic freedom reigns supreme in our kitchens (those who know, know). So, if the squash salad ends up looking more like modern art or if the gingerbread takes on a personality of its own, fear not! Our secret? We tend to measure with a sprinkle of this and a pinch of that, trusting our sight and feel more than exact measurements. It’s all part of the delightful chaos that makes each dish an adventure to which we remind you… take the photos and the videos, you will wish you had. 


With Love

Meredith and Sarah 


 

Coach Sarah's Holiday Recipe Picks


Butternut Squash Quinoa Salad

*Note from the sous chef I normally don't use the pomegranate. We also use red or tricolor quinoa so it's more festive

  • butternut squash 

  • olive oil

  • salt

  • black pepper

  • kale de stemmed and cut

  • cooked quinoa

  • pomegranate arils

  • crumbled feta cheese

  • red wine vinegar

  • honey

  • dijon mustard


Copyright  © Yumna Jawad


Christmas Style- Pretzel M&M Hugs 

*Note from the sous chef---My mom makes these and they're so cute. They are a favorite festive Christmas dessert 

  • 70 square pretzels (do NOT use butter snaps)

  • 70 Hershey's Hugs chocolates (from nearly 1 full 12 oz package), unwrapped

  • 70 Milk Chocolate M&M's , I used the red and green Christmas package


For Full Recipe and Instructions please see https://www.cookingclassy.com/pretzel-mm-hugs-christmas-style/ 

Copyright © 2023 Cooking Classy  


 


Coach Meredith's Holiday Recipe Picks

*Note from the sous chef---Recipes have been transcribed from her written recipes. I do not own the rights to these or know the origin if not her. The spice measurements are absolutely gauges as she just ‘knew’ how much to add. May the force be with you! 

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookies

  1. 1 cup sugar

  2. 1 cup real butter

  3. 3 oz cream cheese softened

  4. ½ teaspoon salt

  5. ½ teaspoon almond extract

  6. ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

  7. 1 egg yolk

  8. 2 ¼ cup all purpose flour (sifted)


  • In a large bowl combine- sugar, butter, cream cheese, salt, almond and vanilla extract, egg yolk. Blend Well 

  • Gradually add portions of flour till well combined 

  • Chill dough at LEAST 2 hours

  • Preheat oven to 375

  • Roll to ¼ inch thickness

  • Cut into cookies with cutter

  • Bake at 375 for 7 to 10 minutes

  • Rechill dough if needed (*Note from the sous chef---she should have written always chill the dough if it isn't on the cookie sheet in the oven. She always put the dough back in the refrigerator) 


Gingerbread Men

*Note from the sous chef-get the butter out ahead of time!  Also, you will need 1 bowl to mix dry ingredients and the other to beat the soft ingredients. FYI- you will be chilling the dough for 4 hours 

  1. 3 cups flour

  2. 2 teaspoon ground ginger

  3. 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

  4. 1 teaspoon baking soda

  5. ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

  6. ¼ teaspoon salt

  7. ¾ cup butter (softened)

  8. ½ cup packed brown sugar (*Note from the sous chef---Warning, rarely did I know her to pack  brown sugar but this may have been that 1 time. Proceed accordingly) 

  9. ½ cup molasses 

  10. 1 egg

  11. 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract


  • Mix first 6 ingredients- Set them Aside

  • Beat- Butter and Sugar with a mixer (Yes, she actually did write to use a mixer because she knew I would attempt to do this by hand) on Medium (she underlined this specifically) till fluffy. Add molasses, egg and Vanilla (mix well). 

  • Gradually beat in flour mixture on Low (again her notes to me), until well mixed.

  • Refrigerate dough for 4 hours 

  • Roll out dough to ¼ inch thickness on a lightly floured surface, cut with cutter

  • Bake 350, 8 -10 minutes

  • Use your finger tip test (may the force be with you) 



 


We wish you all a very happy and healthy holiday season. Please let us know if you tried one of our recipes and how it turned out !


With Love,

Meredith Paci and Sarah Bishop

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