Easy Recipes for Entertaining Guest this Holiday Season

While I enjoy pampering my husband with keeping a lovely home for him, cooking is not my strong suit. I do cook, but sometimes it doesn’t turn out just right. Now my husband…he can throw down on cooking just about anything he wants. How does he do that? I get nervous just when I have something baking in the oven and I have two burners on the stove going.

So if you’re a little bit like me and aren’t the best in the kitchen, I have something for you.

I’ve got some super easy recipes for you that you can throw together for when your guest come during this Christmas season.

Delicious Recipes

Cranberry Salsa

I first tasted this salsa when I was cleaning a house for a lady who loved to entertain. Every day that I would go to her house she would offer me something, whether it was a beverage or food to eat. She told me I had to try this salsa and although I wasn’t certain about it I decided to give it a try. And am I ever grateful that I did! It’s wonderful and I hope that you will try it for your guest.

1 bag fresh cranberries

1 cup sugar

1 bunch cilantro

1 bunch green onions

1 Tbsp. Lime juice

1 Tbsp. Olive oil

In a food processor, finely chop the cranberries, cilantro and green onions. Mix everything together and serve. It’s that easy.

**A few side notes: While it can be served freshly prepared, I like to make it the night before. It tastes great chilled and it gives the ingredients time to meld to create a wonderful flavor.

For me, 1 cup of sugar makes it a little “too sugary”. So I only use ¾ cup of sugar.

Always make a double batch! Trust me.

Cream Cheese with Pepper Jelly

1 block cream cheese

1 jar specialty pepper jelly

Crackers of your choice

Place cream cheese block on a pretty platter and cover with pepper jelly. Surround the pepper jelly/cream cheese block with crackers.

It doesn’t get easier than that. This is something that can be snacked on all day. I get my pepper jelly from a little shop in our town that has different varieties to choose from, and it’s homemade. Butter crackers pair nicely with this.

Guests Will Love These Recipes

Delicious Apple Cider

6 packets Spiced Hot Apple Cider

1 six ounce box of red hots

6 cups water

6 cups pineapple juice

Melt the box of red hots in water, stirring continually. Once melted, stir in all other ingredients. Serve warm.

This is my favorite drink to make during the holidays. It is a wonderful addition to family gatherings.

Sausage and Cream Cheese Croissants

My pastor’s wife brought this to a Ladies Luncheon that I hosted in my home. This delicious dish did not last very long and it left us wanting more. It is just the right amount of each ingredient that creates the perfect blend. It’s very easy to prepare and doesn’t take very long.

2 cans Crescent Dough Sheets

1 roll mild sausage

1 block cream cheese

Cook and drain sausage then combine the sausage with cream cheese. In a 9X13 pan, layer one dough sheet. Spread the sausage and cream cheese mixture over the entire dough sheet. Layer the second dough sheet on top of the sausage and cream cheese mixture. Bake in the oven at 375 degrees until the pastry is brown. Cut into small squares and place on a tray that makes for easy grab n’ go.

I hope that you will try at least one recipe. These are all easy to prepare and if I can do it, I know that you sure can. Enjoy your holiday festivities with your family!