Now you know what my family will be eating for Christmas dinner. Well, at least some of what we’ll be eating. The following simple recipes are ones I plan to make and take to a Christmas potluck we’ll be attending later today.
The first dish is a hearty salad that you could easily eat as a main entrée or contribute to a potluck. Most of the ingredients are ones you likely have in your kitchen right now, which means you could whip together this dish on a moment’s notice.
The other dish is a dessert (who goes anywhere on Christmas without bringing a sweet treat to pass) and a festive one at that, despite its un-festive name. It’s basically a fruitcake bar cookie. If you read my previous fruitcake blog then you know where I stand on this seasonal sweet that often becomes the butt of jokes this time of year. This recipe is easy and quick and yields a buttery yet not too fruity holiday dessert option.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas!
THAI CHICKEN SALAD
Ingredients:
2 quarts salad greens (I use those bags of prepackaged salad mix from the grocery store)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1-1/2 pounds cooked chicken, shredded
12 ounces bean sprouts
20-ounces block firm tofu, drained and cubed
1/2 cup chopped peanuts
Crispy fried noodles for garnish
Ingredients for Dressing:
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 cup soy sauce
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
Directions:
Combine greens, green onions, cilantro, chicken, bean sprouts and tofu.
Combine dressing ingredients.
Just before serving, pour dressing over salad and toss. Top with peanuts and fried noodles.
Serves 10.
PARCEL POST BARS
Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sifted flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup candied fruit
1/4 cup chopped pecans
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Cream butter and sugars together until smooth. Add egg and vanilla; mix until light and fluffy.
Stir together flour, salt and baking powder; add to creamed ingredients. Fold in oatmeal, fruit and nuts. Mixture will be stiff. Spread into an 8-by-8-inch baking pan.
Bake 30 minutes.
Sprinkle with confectioner’s sugar and allow to cool completely in the pan. Cut into squares.
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