My dad’s favorite holiday recipes

There is something about food that evokes so many emotions.

My dad was always the one who stirred mom mom’s famous stuffing. Last year, since my dad wasn’t there, my husband was the one who stirred the stuffing. When I saw him helping my mom, tears started welling up in my eyes. “This is not right!” I thought to myself. And I sadly knew that holidays would never be the same again.

Every year, my dad would make a few of his fan favorite dishes for the holiday season. Last year, I wasn’t able to make any of them. It was just too emotional. But this year, I am going to try.

Here are 3 of my dad’s favorite recipes to make during the holiday season.

KP’s Easy Cheese Bowl

Hands down one of the easiest and yummiest recipes to serve at your next holiday party! This easy cheese bowl recipe is always a huge hit! Many people made a “cheese ball” but my dad said it wasn’t worth the effort to shape into a bowl, hence why he made a “cheese bowl.”

Ingredients

• 16 ounces cream Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
• 1/4 cup green onions (chopped fine)
• 1 package Budding’s beef, finely chopped
• Salt & pepper to taste
• 1 package Ritz crackers, for serving

Instructions

1. Hand mix all ingredients until smooth.
2. Scoop into bowl that has a lid. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
3. Remove cheese bowl from fridge, and serve with crackers. Enjoy!
4. Place cheese ball on a platter with crackers and serve. Enjoy!

Simple Sweet Potato Casserole

This recipe entered my dad’s repertoire when I was a teenager. I always helped him make it, and it was so easy! This recipe also heats up well, so it’s perfect for leftovers!

Ingredients

• 1 can (40oz) Bruce’s Yams, drained
• 1 tub Kraft Jet Puffed Marshmallow Fluff
• 1 small package pecans, chopped
• 1 stick of butter, melted

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. Mix yams, butter, and marshmallow fluff with electric mixer until smooth.
3. Mix in half of the pecans into the mixture by hand.
4. Cook for 30-35 minutes until brown. Cool, serve, and enjoy!

Captain Kendall’s Sweet Tea

My dad ALWAYS made this sweet tea! If it was warm out – sweet tea. If we were having a holiday part – sweet tea. If I was home from college – sweet tea. Even though I don’t consume many sweetened beverages as an adult, I MUST make his favorite beverage this holiday season.

Ingredients

• 6 Luzianne Iced Tea Bags
• 16oz water, to boil
• 2 cups sugar
• 3 quarts cold water

Instructions

1. Boil 16 oz of water on stove.
2. Remove from heat, and steep the 6 tea bags in the hot water about 5 minutes.
3. Pour into a pitcher, and add sugar. Stir well.
4. Add cold water to the mixture. Stir well.
5. Serve over ice, and enjoy!

I am hoping that by making these three recipes this Thanksgiving, I will be able to hold onto the memories that my dad and I recreated during all those years of cooking together.

What are some dishes that remind you of your loved one? Are you making those recipes this holiday season?

Fish on,

Misti