Celebrate the Season with Less Stress!

Take a walk in the cool aisles of the store and you will find holiday help at every turn. You can feed the family or entertain holiday guests stress-free with the many scrumptious frozen and refrigerated appetizer, meal, side dish and dessert selections.

Keep your cool during this hectic holiday season by stocking up with the many “holiday helpers” to make preparations easier and more enjoyable for holiday events, family gatherings and even unexpected guests.

• Be “green” this Holiday Season and remember to recycle (and be nice to your garbage collectors!). The amount of household garbage in the U.S. generally increases by 25% between Thanksgiving and Christmas, from 4 million tons to 5 million tons per week!

   

• Use cloth napkins, it sends less trash to the land fill

   

• Decorate your house with LED lights, they use 90% less energy than traditional Christmas lights.

   

• When you open up that brand new computer or television, don’t just throw the old one out. Donate it to Goodwill or a similar charity, and recycle it at no cost.

• Holiday cards bought during the season could fill a football stadium 10 stories high, so be sure to buy greeting cards printed on recycled paper instead.

Mr. Food’s Featured Recipe

Popular TV personality and NFRA’s national spokesperson, Mr. Food, always shares his tips for quick and easy cooking, plus delicious recipes that will have your family asking for more! Visit www.mrfood.com for great food information and recipes, and see when his television show may air in your market.

Here is a terrific, tasty, easy (and elegant) holiday meal idea!

Fettuccine Alfredo
4 Servings

12 ounces fettuccine
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
2 cups (1 pint) heavy cream
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1-1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1. Cook fettuccine according to package directions: drain.

2. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt butter over medium-low heat. Add heavy cream and pepper; cook 6 to 8 minutes, or until hot and well blended, stirring constantly.

3. Stir in cheese and cook 6 to 7 minutes, or until sauce is thickened. Pour sauce over fettuccine; toss and serve.

PESTO DIP AND VEGETABLES

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup pesto
2 Tbsp. finely chopped green onions
2 tsp. lemon juice
Variety of cut-up raw vegetables

Stir together all ingredients (except vegetables). Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve with vegetables. Makes 1 1/3 cups.

A Tasty Holiday Breakfast!

GRILLED CHICKEN ON BED OF VEGETABLES

6 frozen boneless chicken breasts, thawed
8 oz. bottle Italian salad dressing
2 pkg. frozen mixed vegetables

Place chicken in a large zip-lock bag in large bowl. Pour salad dressing over chicken. Marinate in refrigerator at least 2 hours. Grill chicken for 4-5 minutes per side or until juice runs clear. Prepare vegetables according to package directions. Serve grilled chicken on a bed of vegetables. Makes 6 servings. Very quick and tasty!

APPLE PIE W/CINNAMON ICE CREAM

1 frozen deep dish apple pie
4 cups vanilla ice cream, softened
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

Bake pie according to package directions; cool on wire rack. Stir together ice cream and cinnamon. Freeze until firm. Serve warm apple pie with scoop of cinnamon ice cream on top. Enjoy!

CHEESECAKE WITH CHOCOLATE SAUCE AND RASPBERRIES

1 frozen cheesecake
Chocolate sauce or syrup
Frozen Raspberries, thawed  

Thaw cheesecake according to package directions. Top with chocolate sauce and raspberries. Serve and Enjoy!

HOLIDAY EGGNOG

1 1/2 cups egg substitute
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 cups evaporated skim milk
2 cups skim milk
Nutmeg

With electric mixer, beat egg substitute and sugar together until frothy (medium speed for 2-3 minutes). Gradually beat in sugar and vanilla. Add milks and stir by hand. Chill well. Add rum to taste if desired. Sprinkle with nutmeg. Makes 6 servings.

For additonal meal solution ideas and recipes, as well as valuable information about frozen and refrigerated foods, visit www.EasyHomeMeals.com.