Traditional Turkey Meal Idea!

This is an easy and quick way to cook Brussels sprouts in the microwave.

1 lb fresh Brussels sprouts
1/2 small onion, cut in half and sliced thinly
2 tsp olive
3 Tb water
1 tsp grated lemon peel
2 tsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Remove outer leaves from Brussels sprouts and cut a small x in the stem end of sprouts. Combine oil and onion in a 1-quart microwave-safe casserole dish. Cover and microwave on high for 1 minute. Add Brussels sprouts and 3 Tb water. Cover and microwave on high for 6 to 9 minutes or until sprouts are crisp-tender, stirring once. Remove and add lemon peel, lemon juice and salt and pepper. Toss to coat. Serves 4.

Here’s a wonderful way to serve sweet potatoes with your Christmas meal.

Ingredients
* 3 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 eggs
* ½ cup milk
* ¼ stick butter, melted
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* ½ teaspoon salt

Topping
* ½ stick butter, melted
* 1 cup brown sugar
* ½ cup self-rising flour
* 1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. Mix sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt together until well blended.
2. Pour mixture into a 2-quart buttered baking dish. Sprinkle with topping.
3. Bake in a 350 °F oven for 30 minutes.

Topping

1. Mix butter with brown sugar.
2. Add flour and pecans, mixing together until crumbly for sprinkling on sweet potato mixture.

Photo credit: Elin B

Here’s an easy recipe for dessert that is also great to give as a gift. You can pack this toffee in colorful holiday tins to give to coworkers, friends or family for an inexpensive tasty treat. Best of all, it takes only a few simple ingredients and less than 10 minutes to make this simple toffee. (But you will need to allow time for cooling.)

Cracker Toffee Ingredients
- About 3 dozen saltine crackers (enough to cover the bottom of a baking sheet)
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 package chocolate chips
- Optional: chopped nuts or crushed candy canes

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Line a 10×15 inch baking tray with foil and lay crackers in rows along the bottom until the entire tray is covered with a single layer of crackers. Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine the sugar and butter and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 minutes. Immediately pour the sugar mixture over the crackers, making sure to cover the crackers completely. Place in the oven and bake for 7-8 minutes until the mixture is bubbly.

Remove the pan from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the mixture. Allow the chocolate chips to sit for 2-3 minutes until they’re soft and then spread evenly with a spatula. Top with chopped nuts or crushed candy cane.

Place in the freezer to cool for 15 minutes.

Serve and enjoy!