Holiday Cooking - Your Battle Plan

Christmas is only a few days away and it's time to put your battle plan for cooking into action. It's time to write out lists and check them twice to make sure your holiday dinner goes perfectly. Also no matter where you are in the world, you should be planning and plotting what you'll be doing from the first chore to washing dishes.Being completely prepared helps to create a smoother ,less stressful Christmas dinner.

By now you should have your turkey,ham or crown roast (or whatever you 're going to make on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day).For those serving fish on Christmas Eve , you can buy some fresh fish the day of cooking. Also make sure you have nut crackers for cracking crab legs or lobster.Root veggies should also have been bought already too. Make sure your spice rack is well stocked and you have what you want as far as dried herbs and condiments.Also double check to see if you have the right amount of pots and pans for cooking. Check to see if your oven and appliances are up to speed too.

Desserts are a little easier . By now you should have made your cookies and they should be all set to be baked or decorated.Cakes should be baked either tomorrow or Sunday for the big day. If you;re making cream pies, then do so either Christmas Eve Day or Christmas morning. If you;re settling on a simple ending of fruit and cheese , then you can buy those tomorrow. Both will keep. As for wine and champagne, again, you can buy tomorrow. Punches can be made the day of serving. They taste better when they're made an hour or two before serving.

Many hate holiday cooking because they feel it's too overwhelming. It doesn't have to be if you have a game plan.Be prepared. That's all it takes to have a wonderful Christmas Eve or Christmas dinner.

Spice Rack 101 Part Two

Yesterday we covered a few of the spices that are in that mysterious spice rack everyone owns. Most racks contain at least ten to fifteen bottles , Some contain twenty. Most cooks only use the basic, everyday one s like rosemary or oregano. yet there;s so much more. Not only that, these will liven up any meal and create a wonderful flavors that you'll love!

Chefs love cooking with tarragon , thanks to it;s distinctly fresh from the garden flavor. It's great in delicate chicken and fish sauces but it's also good flavoring chicken or egg salad. Celery seeds are another spice rack staple.These are good flavoring any ham dish ,especially those made with devilled ham .Try them in a ham spread or a dip.Coriander is another spice that's versatile. You can use it to add zing to soups and dips but also to curry dishes. For a more soothing spice, experiment with dried dill. It's a staple for any salmon dish but also makes a wonderful dressing when mixed with sour cream.Serve it over freshly sliced cucumbers.

Spice racks also have their sweet sides too. There;s always cinnamon and nutmeg. We know cinnamon is good in making coffee cakes, muffins and buns. it;s also good spicing up cappuccino and hot cocoa. You can also use it to flavor farina and oatmeal too. Nutmeg is another sweet spice. It;s a great topping fo r homemade egg custards and vanilla puddings.It makes an interesting ingredient to sugar cookie dough . giving a normally bland recipe some fillip. Use it to sprinkle over cappuccino and hot chocolate too.

never be afraid of your spice rack. Try each and every spice to add color and flavor to your dishes.It'll elevate them from ordinary to gourmet!