It's Thanksgiving day, and you want to impress. You have a mile-long list of household chores to take care of -- set the table, clean the bathroom, and pick up the toys scattered across your living room -- just to name a few. And that dinner menu? Well the turkey, dressing, ambrosia salad, green bean casserole, and corn pudding all sounded great when you jotted them down on paper, but now you actually have to make all.the.food. What's a gal to do? Not to worry! You can serve a full holiday meal, including the delicious sides, without spending your day in the kitchen and without sacrificing quality. My #1 tip for getting it done might surprise you, though...
When it comes to hosting a special meal, whether it's Thanksgiving, Christmas, or just a dinner party with friends, my best advice is to ask for help! Don't try to be Super Mom, don't try to be the "perfect" do-it-all-yourself hostess, and don't be afraid to admit that you could use a hand with some of the work. I've been there, done that...and it just leaves us stressed out, exhausted, and unable to enjoy the holiday.
Instead, let your guests contribute in some way by either hosting a potluck-style meal where everyone contributes a dish; or by allowing your visitors to help with the table set-up, the decorations, or even the dish washing at the end. There's also nothing wrong with purchasing a few prepared items to add to your table. A beautiful pie from the bakery will lessen your load, and I guarantee that your guests will devour it (without judgment)!
And then, when you do decide to make a homemade recipe for your special dinner, just be sure to pick something that's not too time-consuming or difficult. You won't win any awards for "Most Difficult Entree" or "Most Stressful Side Dish," so stick with the best, high-quality ingredients and serve them in simple, yet delicious ways.
This Cranberry Pecan Corn Pudding is the perfect example of an easy side dish that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen! I use my favorite Horizon Organic dairy products, as well as organic maple syrup for a fall twist on the classic Southern casserole. The cranberries plump up into sweet and juicy bites, while the pecans add just the right amount of crunch. When it bakes in the oven, the end result is a corn pudding with a crispy, caramelized top reminiscent of a pecan pie...with a tender, creamy, and moist inside.
Best of all, my easy corn pudding only requires about 10 minutes of prep and it can be made in advance -- giving you ample time to take a deep breath, tuck away those last few toys on the carpet, and actually enjoy the company of your loved ones. Because really, isn't that what the holidays are all about?
Cranberry Pecan Corn Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Horizon Organic butter melted
- ⅓ cup maple syrup
- 3 eggs
- 1 ½ cans about 22 ounces cream style corn
- 1 ½ cups Horizon Organic whole milk
- 3 tablespoons white whole wheat flour can also use all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup 5 ounces dried cranberries
- 1 cup 4.5 ounces finely chopped pecans
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a large bowl, whisk together melted butter, maple syrup, eggs, corn, and milk.
- Whisk in the flour and salt, and then fold in the cranberries and pecans until completely combined.
- Pour into prepared casserole dish.
- Bake uncovered for about 1 hour.
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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Horizon Organic. The opinions and text are all mine.
