We are well into the time of year when holiday cooking and baking is on everyone’s radar. Last year around this time I became so caught up in planning our holiday menus that I started to lose inspiration for simple, everyday fall cooking, and I’ve vowed not to let that happen this season. The good thing about this warmly-spiced, nutritious grain salad is that it fills both roles: everyday side (or main) dish as well as truly beautiful contender for the holiday table.
Turkey, ham, and roast beef enjoy star attention during the colder months and holiday season; these are hefty meat dishes for family feasts. But for the moment, we’re still normal cooks with our normal food budgets and our normal schedules who are just trying to get wholesome, tasty dinners on the table, and that means using meat wisely and carefully, for flavor and not always as the centerpiece of a meal.
Today, let’s talk about ten dishes that make the most of meat and use it in smart, budget-friendly ways.
4.38 / 5 Stars | 18 Reviews
by Sally
“Easy to make and inexpensive gift for those you care about. Who can resist making delicious oatmeal cookies when given this mix as a gift?”
That beautiful packet of nougat pictured above is my inspiration for today’s post. The nougat is a gift from a neighbor, left on her kitchen table as a thank you for stopping in to feed her cat this coming week.
I really love nougat. I love how its smooth chewy texture is studded with the crunch of nuts. I love the slight whiff of rosewater and the way it melts in my mouth. I love the pretty stripes of pale pastel colors and the French label on the package. I seldom have nougat because the good stuff is expensive and it’s also quite sweet, so this little gift is a true treat.
3.95 / 5 Stars | 17 Reviews
by Larry Doble
“A no stirring required, easy and tasty hot fudge pudding cake.”