Remember how we’re going to cut down on the stress this holiday season?

Well, that extends to the appetizers, too.

Appetizers serve a few purposes:

1. They give growling bellies something to do while the main entrée is finishing cooking.
2. They create anticipation for the gorgeous meal ahead.
3. They sometimes substitute for a main entrée for picky eaters.

So they’ve got to be good, right?

But GOOD doesn’t have to mean HARD.

Why not try some made-ahead appetizers that you just heat up or simply serve? Some of my favorites are baby brie bites, crabcakes, bacon and cheddar sliders and jumbo shrimp.

With a great variety like that, everybody is sure to be covered. And NO ONE will go hungry.

Here’s to a stress-free holiday!

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

With so much going on when you’re hosting a holiday dinner, it’s helpful to cut down on the last-minute scrambling by serving made-ahead side dishes.

Delicious options like twice-baked potatoes you just pop in the oven and steak butters to enhance the flavor of just about anything – from those steaks you have on hand to mashed potatoes with porcini mushrooms you simply heat in the oven.

Creamed corn that just requires heating up is also a great option that just about everybody loves. Don’t labor over EVERY side dish AND the main entree. Save your energy for the showstoppers!

Delicious AND easy is the way to go to keep stress at a minimum. Don’t let the food get you worked up. Remember, Aunt Susie will be there with her advice about your love life. Again.

THAT will be quite enough stress, thank you.

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.

People are coming! People are coming!

Do those words strike fear in your soul?

Don’t fret. Plan!

Holiday time, while joyous, brings an enormous amount of stress. Especially if YOU are the host.

That’s why planning ahead is so important.

1. Plan a menu now, taking into account who is coming, their dietary needs and preferences, and the time you’ll have to commit to cooking.
2. Appetizers are important. I like to offer little bacon and cheddar sliders or lobster flatbread to satisfy appetites while I’m finishing up the main course. Nothing worse than grumpy, waiting guests. Plus, if for some reason a guest doesn’t dig the turkey you’re cooking there are other options to fill them up if needed.
3. Grill or broil a few steaks to have on hand. Why? See #2. There may be guests who are too shy to share their taste preferences with you. You won’t know until you see them fake-nibbling off a virtually empty plate at dinnertime. If no one partakes of the gorgeous steaks, they WILL be eaten. Think of the bazillion mealtimes ahead with overnight guests.

What are YOUR favorite plan-ahead strategies to reduce stress during the holidays?

Photo courtesy of KansasCitySteaks.com.