Christmas Sides That Are To Die For
Lucky for me I do not have to host Christmas, but I do love to cook and when I think of Christmas growing up I think of my mom’s shoepeg corn. Oh my lordy it is to die for and it is so healthy! NOT! You guys, if you want a recipe that will keep them coming back for more this is it! Bonus! It is silly easy! The potato recipes I include here might not be as easy, but they are not difficult and they are AHMAZING! They are not my moms, but they are so good because they are not from a box and they do not have marshmallows! I HATE marshmallows! So if you are looking for something new and delish give these a whirl!
IRENE’S SHOEPEG CORN
INGREDIENTS:
2-Cans of shoepeg corn (If I cannot find shoepeg corn I grab white corn)
2-3oz packages of cream cheese
1 stick of butter
1-4oz can chopped green chilies
Dash of garlic powder and dash of garlic salt (as much or as little as you would like)
PREP:
Melt the butter and the cheese. I usually just put it in a glass bowl and melt in the microwave. I then move it to an oven safe dish that I can serve it in as well. Cuts down on cleaning! Next add the drained corn, green chilies, and other ingredients. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 30 minutes and serve hot.
A HUGE bonus to this recipe is you can literally make this the day before, refrigerate, and bake when ready! So easy and oh so good!
AMY’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE
This dish I have played with for awhile now and I finally nailed it a couple of years ago. Most sweet potato recipes have marshmallow and as I said above I hate those, so I have played with this for a while and I have finally nailed it for my tastebuds! Let me know how it suits yours!
INGREDIENTS:
5-6 Sweet Potatoes
1 and 1/2 cup dark brown sugar (save some for the topping)
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
3/4 cup butter (say 1/4 cup for the topping)
2 Tablespoons flour
1 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup coconut (I use the sweetened)
PREP:
Peel and cut the potatoes to make easier to boil.
Boil the potatoes until soft (usually takes me 45 minutes min)
Drain the water and mash the potatoes. Once nice and mashed add 1/2 cup of the brown sugar, eggs, vanilla, heavy whipping cream, and 1/2 cup of butter. Beat really well until nice and smooth.
Grease a 9 x 13 baking pan and spread the potato mixture
TOPPING:
Combine 1 cup of brown sugar, flour, and cut in 1/4 cup butter until it is crumbly. Sprinkle on top of the potato mixture. Next sprinkle as many pecans and as much coconut as you would like. I like a lot!
Preheat oven to 350 and bake for 35-40 minutes.
So good and so delish!
This recipe is another one you can make a day in advance, refrigerate, and bake. Bonus!
This last recipe I cannot take any credit for, but I promise if you do these you will never serve mash potatoes from a box again! They are so good and so easy!
PIONEER WOMAN’S MASH POTATOES:
INGREDIENTS:
5 lbs Russet Potatoes
2 sticks of butter
1-8oz package of Cream Cheese, softened
3/4 cup Half and half
1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoned Salt (not gonna lie, I use more)
1 teaspoon black pepper
PREP:
Peel and cut the potatoes into pieces that are generally the same size. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer and add the potatoes. Bring to a boil and cook for 30-35 minutes. When they are cooked through, the fork should easily slide into the potatoes with no resistance, and the potatoes should almost, but not totally, fall apart.
Drain the potatoes in a large colander. When the potatoes have finished draining, place them back into the dry pot and put the pot on the stove. Mash the potatoes over low heat, allowing all the steam to escape, before adding in all the other ingredients.
Turn off the stove and add 2 sticks of butter, cream cheese, and half and half. Mash, mash, mash! Next, add about 1 teaspoon Lawry’s Seasoning Salt or more if you likened 1 teaspoon pepper.
Stir well and place in a medium-sized baking dish. Throw a few pats of butter over the top of the potatoes and place them in a 350 oven and heat until butter is melted and potatoes are warmed through.
Note: If making this dish a day or two in advance, take it out of the fridge about 2 to 3 hours before serving time. Bake in a 350 oven for about 20 to 30 minutes or until warmed through.
So there you have it! Three sides you can make in advance! Now I realize after writing this I really need to focus on some greens and I will work on that, but I promise if you try one of these dishes you will be so proud! So give it a go this Christmas and let me know how everyone likes it!
BON APETIT!
Amy
Hello, World!
Check out all of the pretty things Pioneer Woman has! That teapot is so cute!
