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.
Go Green With Self Build Houses
In these present times, there are countless campaigns regarding going green and saving the environment. There are more and more people who are aware of saving the environment by using energy efficient items. Also, there are several ways and means that a person can help the environment. One of which is to recycle. This has been an old age campaign that surely provides a great impact to the environment. In addition, there are also several items and products that can be used that do not harm the environment. Hence, their usage is being encouraged. Moreover, nowadays, there are so called environment friendly self build houses.
These days, there are a number of these environment friendly homes. These homes have amazing and beneficial features and functions that are definitely good for the environment. A homeowner can have solar panels in her environment friendly home. He can truly add these features when he chooses to construct his very own environment friendly self build houses. In addition, there are also other features that are considered good for nature as well. Aside from the self generating solar panels, a homeowner can also design his home is such a way that it is energy efficient.
When a homeowner chooses to construct his own environment friendly self build houses, he is able to have total control of his layout and floor plan. He is able to design his own in such a way that provides him an energy as well as environment friendly atmosphere. He is able to design large windows at the side or corner of his home. This is to enable the natural light of the sun to enter and brighten the house. Hence, the homeowner can do away with using the electrical lights. In addition, he is able to design his home in such a way that the ceilings are constructed in a high altitude. Having this feature in a home provides a cooler ambiance. Hence, he does not have to turn any air conditioning on.
It is truly an advantage to be able to construct self build houses especially when these houses are environment friendly. It can definitely help the environment and it can also help the homeowner save money from electricity or other bills. Hence, when it comes to self build projects, the homeowner can oversee and decide about the project. However, there are times that deciding alone can be confusing especially when it comes to constructing or doing something big. That is why, before a homeowner acts of his do it yourself projects, he needs to gather enough information and details. It is always recommendable to learn the project well in order to accomplish it on time and avoid any delay.
These days, there are truly several homeowners who choose to construct environment friendly self build houses. These houses may cost more than the traditional or old types of houses. But, with total control and supervision of the project, the homeowner can definitely see to it that everything is within his likes or interests.
Name a Star this Christmas
Christmas is just around the corner and everyone is already looking for various gift ideas for friends, family and loved ones. It is advisable to start your search for Christmas gift ideas as early as possible to avoid getting rushed. If you only think about it at the last minute, you may only end up purchasing a mediocre gift that the recipient might not appreciate.
Therefore, you need to do some research to find the perfect gift idea that the recipient might like. Most customers just go directly to a shopping mall and check out the various options personally. This can be a great idea as you get to see the items upfront. You might come across a specific gift that may suit the preferences and needs of the recipient. However, this also takes a lot of time and effort because you might need to go from one store to another until you find that perfect gift.
For best results, you might want to take your research online for a quicker and more convenient shopping experience. Online shopping has truly grown over the past few years, because it provides an extensive range of gift items, from suppliers located all around the world. You just need to use a search engine to initiate your search, and you will be able to get a lot of listings in just a few seconds.
When browsing through the different gift ideas online, you might come across various websites that offer unique and creative gift ideas. One of the best gift ideas that has been introduced in the market is the “Name a Star” concept. The “Name a Star” concept is a very unique gift idea, because you actually get to give a star as a gift. Well, you do not really buy a star, but you will be able to name a star in honor of the recipient. You will also receive a certificate that confirms the name of the star.
For those who are not familiar with this type of gift concept, all you really need to do is find an online star registry that offers a wide range of products and services. Some star registries even offer personalized gift packs along with your star name. These gift packs usually contain a map with the exact coordinates of the star, so you will be able to find the actual star or constellation up in the sky. To avoid any disappointment, always stick with a reputable and experienced star registry. This way, you can be confident that you will receive a high quality service that is worth the price and the effort.
How to search for car hire quotes online
If you’re looking for a reputable car hire firm there are many options available to you and searching for the right deal has never been easier. In order to stay away from any problems further down the line it is always imperative that you check the small print and make sure that you are happy with the terms and conditions but as a general rule, there are several common factors to take into account.
What are your hirer’s terms when it comes to fuel? Generally speaking you will be given a full tank to drive away with and you are expected to bring the car back at the same level. If you fail to do so, you may find that a filling charge is added to your overall bill so it pays to be fully armed with the correct information at the start of your car hire period.
Thankfully, the days when car hire firms left you with the tiniest amount of petrol that barely got you to the filling station are all but gone. With this system, it’s almost impossible to assess how much petrol you’ve used and what the correct level should be when you return it. If you see a local car hire company still employing this method, they may be best avoided.
Mileage can also be an issue if you are arranging hire over a longer period so always make sure you have enough to cover you for as long as you need the car. If you stray over the limit, charges can be punitive so it may be best to seek out a firm with a higher mileage level in the first instance.
When you collect the vehicle or when it is delivered to your home, it goes without saying that you should check it both inside and out for any damage and to make sure that your car hire firm have a record of any existing issues. Fortunately, the vast majority of hirers are immensely thorough when it comes to checking for minor faults and dents, but for your own peace of mind, it pays to be thorough yourself in order to avoid any nasty surprises further down the line.
The easiest way to arrange car hire these days is to go online and rather than having to head for one specific hirer’s website, there are a number of comparison sites on hand that can take you through the process from start to finish.
In the first instance, just a few, small pieces of information are enough to get you a quote and then it’s over to your to check the terms and conditions and to make sure you are happy. Having determined which is the best car hire option for your needs, you can pay securely over the net and have the booking confirmed in no time at all.
Car hire is far from the minefield that it once was and as long as you know what to look out for, you can book online with complete confidence.