We all know that the holidays are right around the corner. This can be a very stressful time for people because they may not know what to make to bring to their family feast or any of the parties that they may be going to. Well, I am here to try and help you guys on that. I have provided a decent list of recipes that are relatively easy to make.

1. Crispy Potato Roast

3 oz. bacon

1 medium onion

3 1/2 lbs Russet Potatoes

4 things of Thyme, fresh

1/2 tsp of salt

1/2 tsp of pepper

3 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp butter, unsalted

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. In a small bowl, combine melted butter and oil.

3. Brush bottom of a 9-10 inch baking dish with some butter and oil mixture. Set aside.

4. Peel the potatoes. slice each potato very thinly(as thin as possible) crosswise using a sharp knife or mandoline, keeping the potato intact as you proceed.

5. * Keep the slices together as you cut them so that you can arrange them easily in the dish.

6. Place the potatoes vertically in the prepared baking dish.

7. Wedge onion or shallot slices throughout potato slices - in about 3 or 4 sections of each potato.

8. Sprinkle with salt and pepper flakes.

9. Brush with the remaining butter and oil mixture.

10. Bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes

uncovered.

11. If you find at anytime throughout baking that the potatoes are too dry, a little of the olive oil/butter from the bottom of the baking dish can be brushed on the slices.

12. While potatoes are baking, fry bacon over a medium high heat until crisp.

13. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towel. Set aside.

14. Remove potatoes from oven.

15. Add bacon bits by scattering around throughout the potatoes.

16. Lay the thyme sprigs/leaves on top of potatoes.

17. Bake for an additional 35 minutes or until potatoes are cooked through with a crisped top.

18. If it seems to brown too fast, cover it with foil to slow it down.

19. Remove from oven.

20. Sprinkle on a little more kosher salt. Serve immediately.

This is a relatively easy recipe, and if you're vegetarian, it is very simple to make it a vegetarian dish. Also, if you're vegan, you can just replace the butter with coconut butter, or other alternatives to make it healthier.
(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558908678745/)

2. Cranberry Apple Pecan Salad

6 oz. baby spinach

3/4 cup cranberries, dried

2 granny smith apples

1/3 cup mayonnaise

2 tsp poppy seeds

3 tbsp sugar (personally I would skip this)

4 tbsp Cider Vinegar

1 cup pecans (or sunflower seeds if allergic)

1/4 cup milk

1/2 cup feta cheese

1. In a large bowl, toss baby spinach, pecans, apples, feta cheese, and cranberries.

2. In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, milk, sugar, cider vinegar, and poppyseeds. Pour over the salad and toss to coat.

3. Serve salad immediately and garnish with more feta cheese if desired.

This is a healthy salad, and it is easy to twerk it to make it yours. You can also try it with different dried fruits if you would like to.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558908673903/)

3. Lemon Butter Cookies

2 tsp Lemon, zest

1 Egg, large

1 tbsp Lemon juice

2 1/2 cups All-purpose flour

2/3 cup Granulated sugar

1 Powdered sugar
1 cup Butter, unsalted

1. Preheat oven to 350˚F (180˚C).

2. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

3. Beat in the egg.

4. Add lemon zest and lemon juice.

5. Gradually mix in the flour until incorporated.

6. Roll dough into 1 inch balls and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Using the tines of a fork, cross marks in the cookies to slightly flatten them (as pictured).

8. Bake cookies for 15 minutes or until cookies are set on top and slightly golden on bottom.

9. Transfer to cooling rack and immediately dust with powdered sugar (sugar will melt into cookies from the remaining heat).

10. Once completely cool, dust cookies again with powdered sugar.

This is another good fruity thing to have at your feast, and it can really switch things up because most people wouldn’t think of it for a holiday cookie.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558907969005/)

4. Parmesan Cauliflower Bites

4 cups Cauliflower florets

2 Eggs, large

1/2 cup All-purpose flour

1 tbsp Emeril's essence creole seasoning

1/2 cup Vegetable oil

1 cup Panko*

1/4 cup Parmesan

1. Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.

2. In a large bowl, combine Panko, Parmesan and Emeril’s Essence; set aside.

3. Working in batches, dredge cauliflower in flour, dip into eggs, then dredge in Panko mixture, pressing to coat.

4. Add cauliflower to the skillet, 5 or 6 at a time, and cook until evenly golden and crispy, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.

5. Serve immediately.

*Panko is a Japanese-style breadcrumb and can be found in the Asian section of your local grocery store.

This would be a great recipe for an appetizer or for finger foods in the beginning of the party.

(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/496451558907828645/)

These are just some ideas as to what you could bring to a holiday party or feast. I would recommend trying out the recipes before you bring them to a party so you know how you could change the recipe or do something to make it easier. For more ideas, you can look at my food board on Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/peaceandlove69/food/). Happy holidays everyone and try not to burn the house down!