{"id":191,"date":"2019-11-22T15:51:49","date_gmt":"2019-11-22T15:51:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.williamshomes.com\/blog\/?p=191"},"modified":"2023-07-28T06:03:06","modified_gmt":"2023-07-28T13:03:06","slug":"2019s-best-holiday-dishes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.williamshomes.com\/blog\/2019s-best-holiday-dishes\/","title":{"rendered":"2019\u2019s Best Holiday Dishes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Another year, another ho-hum stuffing and cranberry sauce from a can. Holiday dinners can be so…blah. Maybe this is the year to take it up a notch\u2014or 10. Whether you\u2019re hosting or your calendar is filling up with parties and get-togethers and you need ideas for what to bring, we\u2019ve got some good ones. Make it memorable this year, with these delicious holiday dishes<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"These
These holiday dishes will make for a memorable meal, and a memorable event. <\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Must-make\nappetizers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

When it comes to holiday dishes, we are BIG FANS of baked brie. All that gooey cheese, contrasted with the pungent cranberry and the flaky crust that soaks up all the flavors\u2014Yummmm! The downside is that because it bakes up in one big mass, it\u2019s easy to go overboard. That\u2019s IF you can even get a piece before it\u2019s devoured by everyone else. Plus, some people just aren’t fans of the whole community<\/a> food thing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The solution: These individual cranberry brie pastry tarts<\/a>. Even better\u2014they are quick and easy to prepare. \u201cThese Cranberry Brie Pastry Tarts are my favorite last-minute appetizer,\u201d said Halfbaked Harvest. \u201cThey\u2019re quick, easy, and most importantly, everyone loves them! Puff pastry, creamy brie, and fresh cranberries all baked together to create the perfect cheese filled mini tarts. Finish each tart off with a little fresh thyme for a festive appetizer that\u2019s perfect for holiday entertaining<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Roasted Carrot and Chickpea Dip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s so\nmuch we love about this, aside from the delicious taste:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. It\u2019s\nhealthy\u2014so at least you know you\u2019re putting one good-for-you thing in your\nbody! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It\u2019s vegan,\nin case you need a meat-, dairy-, and egg-free option for guests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It\u2019s\nexotic, taking the idea of hummus to a spicy, peppery level with a Moroccan\ntwist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. It\u2019s pretty\nand perfectly Instagrammable. Don\u2019t be surprised if you get extra love on your\nfeed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe carrots and chickpeas make this so smooth and, combined with the harissa flavours, make it gorgeously bright orange,\u201d said The First Mess<\/a>. \u201cI love a textural, almost salad-ish mix on top of dips for visual interest and flavour contrast.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Magnificent main dishes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Instant Pot Turkey Breast<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turkey breasts have grown in popularity holiday dishes for gatherings where a whole turkey is not needed. Cooking the turkey breast doesn\u2019t always result in the juiciest bird, however. Jo Cooks has found an answer. \u201cMy love for the Instant Pot continues and I have to say that after trying turkey breast roasted in the oven or made in a slow cooker, my favorite way right now is made in the Instant Pot using the high pressure method,\u201d she said. \u201cThe reason is simple and beside the obvious reason that it\u2019s faster<\/em>. I find that this results in the juiciest turkey breast out of all the other cooking methods.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bacon and Spinach Stuffed\nRibeye Roast<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bring this roast from Bon Appetit<\/a> to the table and expect a jaw-dropping reaction. Thankfully, it tastes as good as it looks (Thanks, bacon!). It\u2019s not the easiest of preparations, but the results are well worth it for a show-stopping main dish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Savory Sides<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Cheesy Brussel Sprouts Casserole<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You could simply roast Brussel sprouts with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper for a side that will give you at least one low-cal, vitamin-rich option at the Thanksgiving table, but good luck getting anyone under 21 to try a bite. Make this cheesy (and bacon-y) version<\/a> and you may be able to convert a few folks to veg lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sweet potato casserole<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hold the marshmallows! This sweet potato casserole<\/a> gets its sweetness from brown sugar, its creaminess from butter, and a little crunch from the scattered chopped pecans. It\u2019s bound to become a holiday favorite. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Delectable Desserts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Rachel Green’s English Trifle <\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\nlove sugar. The other things we love: nostalgia and humor. This dessert has all\nthree. So not only will your loved ones eat it up, but they\u2019ll also eat it up\n(Get it?!). Don\u2019t be surprised if you\u2019re asked for the recipe over and over and\nthen see it on a few friends\u2019 tables (or social media feeds!) later on.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the uninitiated, Rachel\u2019s infamous trifle includes: \u201cFirst there’s a layer of ladyfingers, then jam, custard, raspberries, more ladyfingers, beef sauteed with peas and onions<\/em>, more custard, bananas and whipped cream.\u201d Thankfully, Sprinkle Bakes<\/a> replaced the savory bits with blended, fudge cream-filled cookies that are \u201cpretty near the beefy color.\u201d She then used \u201cshaved coconut and green candy-coated chocolate pearls,\u201d which made some \u201cpretty cute onions and peas.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more information and to learn about holiday dishes and new homes all over the west in which to spend your next holiday, visit Williams Homes<\/a>. This renowned California builder was founded in 1997 on the principles of integrity, trust, and partnership and has continued to thrive as one of the state\u2019s fastest-growing homebuilders. Williams Homes was the proud recipient of the 2013 Builder of the Year Award by the Building Industry Association. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams Homes has built and delivered hundreds of homes all over\nthe state ranging from $159,000 to in excess of $1,000,000, building\nlong-lasting relationships with homebuyers who often seek out another home from\nthe builder when it\u2019s time to move up or move on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Williams Homes communities include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ventura, CA<\/strong>\u2014Rosewood<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n