2 Last Minute Side Dishes for Christmas Dinner
Wait, what? Aunt Carol just called and asked you to bring a side dish for Christmas dinner? Never fear! These quick recipes will make her day and make you a Christmas hero... All while reducing your Christmas stress!
1) Fragrant Carrots
This is one of those easy recipes you will want to store in a safe, accessible place—they’ll become a family favorite in no time. While carrots are good for the eyes, Fragrant Carrots are easy on the eyes. Vibrant in color and full of flavor, this Christmas side dish can be served either hot or cold. What’s more, it will fill up the house with a pleasant Christmas aroma. Simple. Delicious. It’s simply delicious!
Servings: 5
Ingredients
4 large carrots (1 lb.), peeled, cut into matchlike sticks
1/4 cup Planters Slivered Almonds
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/4 cup Light House Italian dressing
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
Cook carrots in boiling water 5 to 8 minutes or until crisp-tender. Meanwhile, cook and stir nuts and cumin in large skillet on medium heat 5 minutes or until nuts are toasted.
Drain carrots. Add to skillet with dressing; simmer on medium-low heat 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Remove skillet from heat. Stir in cilantro.
2) Twice-Baked Sweet Potatoes
What’s better than twice-baked potatoes among your smorgasbord of Christmas side dishes? Twice-baked sweet potatoes! If you’re the kind of cook that runs the other direction when you read twice baked, resist the urge this time around. These potatoes are not only easy to make, but guaranteed to delight guests’ taste buds as well.
Servings: 4
Ingredients
2 large sweet potatoes (1-1/2 lb.)
2 oz. (1/4 of 8-oz. pkg.) Philadelphia Neufchatel Cheese, cubed
2 Tbsp. fat-free milk
1 Tbsp. brown sugar
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped Planters Pecans
Directions
Heat oven to 425ºF.
Cut potatoes lengthwise in half; place, cut-sides down, in foil-lined 15x10x1-inch pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until tender.
Scoop out centers of potatoes into bowl, leaving 1/4-inch-thick shells. Add Neufchatel, milk, sugar and cinnamon to potato flesh; mash until well blended.
Fill shells with potato mixture; top with nuts. Bake 8 minutes or until potatoes are heated through and nuts are toasted.