Holiday Helpers

The holidays bring about some of the worst stress for home chefs and bakers. There's never enough time to cook or bake. Quantities of food have to be doubled, thanks to family and friends visiting. There is a solution Holiday help in the form of already prepared foods and ingredients. These aid considerably in creating the perfect Christmas dinner and dessert.

One of the best ideas is to rely on your supermarket for party platters. Chains like the  A&P and Stop & Shop provide excellent ones with shrimp and sandwiches. Extras such as cocktail sauce along with  cups of mustard and mayo are always included too. A prepared platter of crudites can serve as a quick antipasto, freeing you up to concentrate on the main meal.A few places, like Popeye's, can help with offering to deep fry a whole turkey. If you're hosting a large crowd then contact a diner or restaurant owner, ask them to roast  your roast beef, ham or turkey. For  those too busy to bake, then it's a trip to the local bakery.Here you can buy an attractive cookie tray that has all kinds, including the coveted chocolate dipped ones, for the chocolate lovers in your family. Also some supermarkets such as Stop & Shop have beautifully iced and decorated holiday cakes and whimsical cakes makes out of cupcakes, This last is always a crowd pleaser, especially for the kids.

If you're still intent on doing it all for yourself, then look for short cuts.Again this is where convenience over convention wins out.Don't be afraid to serve Stovetop stuffing. It tastes  just as good as the family recipe and  also works just as well sopping up gravy, Don't sweat the mashed potatoes. There are the instant kind  and they come in different flavors too,like chive and butter and garlic. Baked ham does deserve a side of baked beans but you can use the canned type instead. .Guests always love a basket of fresh hot rolls with their  meal, yet baking them can be trying, especially if there are time constraints. If that's the case,  then get reacquainted with Poppin Fresh. PIlsbury has excellent biscuits and crescent rolls that go well with any holiday roast. They also have breadsticks, perfect for those also serving lasagna and pasta as part of the Christmas meal. You can also depend on them for cookies too. Buy a few rolls or squares of the already made chocolate chip cookie dough. Also buy the sugar cookies too. These are great blank canvasses for festive decorating. If you're intent on cake for dessert, remember think mixes, already made icing and |Cool Whip.

Holiday meals are meant to be outstanding. However if you need help then get it in the form of prepared platters or packaged goods.. These can assist you in creating the perfect Christmas dinner , complete with a fancy dessert.