Freezable Holiday Recipes To Make In Advance Slideshow
Savory Sweet Potato Casserole
Savory or sweet, whipped or baked, sweet potatoes are a fixture on the holiday table. Get them local and fresh at your farmers market and make a simple puréed side dish to freeze for your festive meal. The traditional sweet potato casserole made with brown sugar, evaporated milk, pecans, or marshmallows freezes like a charm. But for something a bit different, how about a savory sweet potato side dish using sage and Romano cheese?
Throw-as-You-Go Soup
A bowl of soup offers a warm and hearty welcome to holiday guests. Wander the market and gather root and vine vegetables for this hearty flavorful soup that captures the essence of fall and freezes exceptionally well. From celery, onions, sweet potatoes, carrots, and parsnips to squash of every kind, collect what's available at your market to create a tasty soup. Throw an apple or two in the bags as well for a hint of sweetness to complement the earthy flavors.
Pumpkin Biscotti
A white chocolate drizzle adds a finishing touch to the subtle pumpkin taste in these crunchy, flavorful cookies. They're made with fresh pumpkin purée, which is superior to the canned kind and will make a difference in the taste of your treats. Plus, it's loaded with vitamin A, is low in fat, easy to make, versatile for cooking and baking, and freezes well.
Potato Latkes
With a quick re-heating that results in a crispier bite, potato pancakes are actually even better when made ahead and frozen correctly. And when you use farm-fresh potatoes and onions, you'll achieve a superior taste. Serve them on a platter with a side of applesauce for Hanukkah or pass them around with a dollop of sour cream (and caviar, if you wish) as cocktail food. Make them with sweet potatoes or a combination of both sweet and Yukon Gold potatoes, and you're in for a real holiday treat.
Parsnip Purée
Parsnips, which look like white carrots but taste even sweeter, are exceptional when whipped and puréed. Plus, whipped and puréed vegetables happen to freeze really well, too. Boiled and puréed with butter, salt, chicken stock, and a tinge of nutmeg, they are a great make-ahead holiday side dish. Add a touch of heavy cream before serving to make this purée extra indulgent.
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