The holiday season is full of traditions for young and old, including the much anticipated holiday dinner! This season you can enjoy all of the Thanksgiving favorites when you visit our food pantry. Because we receive new donations everyday our selection is always changing, but what remains the same are our countless volunteers on standby, waiting to help you plan your holiday menu.
We took a quick visit to the food pantry, to see what supplies are on hand, and have created a fun and simple holiday menu for inspiration!
Appetizer
Combine this easy bruschetta recipe with the crackers we have in the pantry for a fun appetizer!
Easy Bruschetta (From https://shewearsmanyhats.com/bruschetta-topping-stuff/)
Ingredients
2½ cups tomato, diced (about 4-5 medium sized tomatoes)
2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
1 tablespoon balsamic vingear
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
extra salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
In a medium sized bowl add the diced tomatoes and basil, along with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper. Mix all ingredients together well. Add additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve right away, or cover and refrigerate until needed.
Main Course
In our pantry you can often find boxed stuffing, chicken and vegetable broth, instant and scalloped potatoes, canned fruit, and canned yams, which are all perfect for creating those traditional holiday side dishes. You may also find creamed soup and canned green beans which is perfect for a green bean casserole!
Green Bean Casserole
(From https://www.campbells.com/kitchen/recipes/classic-green-bean-casserole/)
Ingredients
1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell’s® Condensed Cream of Mushroom Soup or Campbell’s® Condensed 98% Fat Free Cream of Mushroom Soup
1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1 dash black pepper
4 cups cooked cut green beans
1 1/3 cups French’s® French Fried Onions
How to Make It
Step 1 Stir the soup, milk, soy sauce, black pepper, beans and 2/3 cup onions in a 1 1/2-quart casserole. Step 2 Bake at 350°F. for 25 minutes or until the bean mixture is hot and bubbling. Stir the bean mixture. Sprinkle with the remaining onions.
Step 3: Bake for 5 minutes or until the onions are golden brown.
While a food pantry may have a lot of cranberry sauce and canned gravy on hand, it can be harder to find the main star of the meal. The turkey is often the most expensive item on the holiday table but there are a few options to help cut costs. If you have friends or family in the area, ask if they will split a turkey with you. You can also find turkey breast for much cheaper than a full turkey, and keep an eye out for grocery store sales the week of the holiday.
Dessert
What is a holiday meal without dessert? You can find most of the ingredients to make simple yet delicious desserts right in our food pantry. We often have baking mixes, such as cake and muffin mixes, and if you are a pumpkin fan, you are in luck! We have canned pumpkin to make amazing pies, bars, or even cookies.
Old-Fashioned Pumpkin Cookies (From https://www.verybestbaking.com/recipes/32364/Old-Fashioned-Soft-Pumpkin-Cookies)PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease baking sheets.
COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto prepared baking sheets.
BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.
FOR GLAZE:
COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.
We hope these ideas help you plan your holiday festivities, and from all of us at South County Outreach, we wish you the best this holiday season.
