Down-Home Cooking: Sizzle Up a Southern Holiday Feast

Local Blogging members offer up some tasty recipes for any occasion. Homemade stuffing and yams are one delicious side you'll love.Photo byCommunity Wizdon

Well, it's that magical time of year when families gather 'round and enjoy a grand feast together. What better way to make it memorable than by treating your guests to some good old homemade cooking? Here are some delightful holiday recipes to spread the joy.

Stuffing

Well, here's how you whip up your own homemade stuffing – the kind that'll make your holiday or roast dinner shine!

For the Ingredients, you'll need:

• 15 bread slices (the older, the better for that perfect texture)
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup diced onion
• 1 cup diced celery
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced (totally your call)
• 2 teaspoons dried sage (or 2 tablespoons of fresh sage, chopped)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (or 1 tablespoon of fresh thyme leaves)
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary (or 1 tablespoon of fresh rosemary, chopped)
• Salt and pepper (just add as much as your taste buds say)
• 2 to 2.5 cups chicken or vegetable broth (customize for your preferred moisture level)

Now, let's get to the fun part - Cooking!

First off, let's Toast the Bread:

• Preheat your oven to 300°F (that's 150°C if you're keeping track).
• Cut bread into cubes.
• Spread those bread cubes out on a big baking sheet.
• Pop 'em in the oven for around 15-20 minutes, just until they're crispy and dry. Give 'em a little shuffle midway to keep things even. Then, let 'em cool down.

Next up, it's time to Sauté the Vegetables:

• Grab a big skillet and melt that butter over medium heat.
• Toss in your diced onions and celery, and cook 'em until they're soft and see-through, which takes around 5-7 minutes. If you're feeling garlicy, you can toss in those minced cloves for an extra minute of cookin'.

Time to add some Seasoning: Sprinkle in your dried or fresh herbs (sage, thyme, and rosemary), and give it a mix for 1-2 minutes. Season it up with some salt and pepper – but remember, the amount of salt depends on how salty your broth is, so taste as you go!

Now, let's Combine: Get a big ol' mixing bowl and mix those toasted bread cubes with the sautéed veggie blend. Give it a good toss to spread the flavors all around.

To get things moist and yummy, Moisten: Gradually pour in your chicken or veggie broth. The amount will depend on how moist you want your stuffing. Start with around 2 cups and add more if needed. Your bread should be soaked but not drowning.

Now, it's time to Bake:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (or 175°C).
• Transfer your stuffing mix to a greased baking dish.
• Cover it up with foil and bake for 25-30 minutes. Then, ditch the foil and bake for another 15-20 minutes until it's all golden brown on top and heated through.

Lastly, Serve: Let your stuffing chill for a bit before digging in. Serve it up alongside your roast dinner or holiday feast.

And don't forget, you can get creative with this basic recipe! Toss in some diced apples, dried cranberries, or nuts to jazz up the flavors and textures. Enjoy your homemade stuffing adventure!

Southern Yams

Get ready for a taste bud tango as the natural sweetness of yams teams up with the zesty kick of orange marmalade in this mouthwatering dish. I'm about to spill the beans on a recipe that's so simple it's positively irresistible for your taste buds.

Yams and Marmalade are a perfect combo for a healthier sweet taste, don't forget the cranberry to add a tart bite.Photo byCommunity Wizson

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized yams or sweet potatoes
• 1/2 cup of orange marmalade
• 2 tablespoons of good ol' butter
• 2 tablespoons of brown sugar (if you like it sweeter)
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon (if you're feelin' spicy)
• Salt and pepper for a pinch of flavor
• Instructions:

Warm Up the Oven: Get that oven cranked up to 375°F (that's about 190°C in fancy talk).

Prep Them Yams: Peel and slice them yams into rounds or slices, 'bout half an inch thick.

Whip Up a Marmalade Mix: Take a little saucepan and stir together the orange marmalade, butter, brown sugar (if you want a sweeter kick), and a smidge of ground cinnamon (if you're up for it). Heat it up on low, stir until it's all smooth, then take it off the heat.

Give 'Em a Coatin': Toss them yam slices into a big bowl and pour that marmalade mix right on top. Gently mix it all together.

Lay 'Em Out: Spread your coated yams in a trusty ol' baking dish, keep 'em in a nice single layer.

In They Go: Cover up your baking dish with some foil and let 'em bake in the oven for about 25-30 minutes.

Unveil and Finish the Magic: Take off the foil and give 'em another 15-20 minutes in the oven until they're fork-tender and the glaze gets all golden and don't forget to add mini marshmallows..

Ready to Serve: Once they're cooked to perfection, take 'em out and let 'em cool down a bit. Then, dig in and enjoy your sweet and tangy baked yams with that orange marmalade twist!

It's like a little piece of heaven on your plate. Yum! Do you have a few tips to share? Let us know in the comment and like and folow us for more great local business tips.