With the jolly yuletide season rapidly approaching, many people are thinking ahead to their upcoming ward Christmas party.
As the ward family comes together to share the joy of the holiday, there will likely be loads of tasty foods to sample and enjoy. Sadly, sometimes placing a homemade offering on the potluck table can feel like an exercise in keeping up with the Joneses instead of a chance to share a delicious meal.
With all of the other stresses of Christmastime shopping, wrapping, baking and decorating, taking the time to throw together a sumptuous dish may seem like mission impossible.
However, sharing love from the family kitchen can be less of a headache and more of a pleasure by following one simple rule: Keep things simple.
Keeping things simple will lighten the tinsel-strung holiday load.
If spending hours putting together a delicious but time-consuming recipe will do nothing but invite the Grinch into your evening, settle for something less complicated, and do it with a smile.
Party lovers from livingonloveandcents.blogspot.com say when it comes to holiday parties, simple ones are best. Keeping things relaxed will let partygoers focus on enjoying the company of family and friends, which is what the holiday season is all about.
If you are frustrated from a hot, messy afternoon in the kitchen before you even get to the party, are you really going to enjoy the evening?
Throw off the guilt and revel in the peace an evening with beloved friends is supposed to create. Think about using a slow cooker to ease the workload. It is easy to throw in a few ingredients in the morning, and then a delicious dish is ready to cart off to the celebration after work.
If you love cooking and find joy in culinary creations, that's great. Enjoy the chance to share your talent with people you love.
But, if you feel more comfortable stopping at Walmart for a piece of the feast, then laugh about it and don't let it weigh you down. Remember, the food is there to garnish the celebration, not the other way round.
Christmas is a time to celebrate the birth and life of our Savior, and whether you are eating cheese puffs or cheesy lasagna, his love and sacrifice should be the focus.
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Taco Soup
(Recipe from Wendy Philbrick)
1 15-ounce can whole corn
1 15-ounce can kidney beans
1 15-ounce can pinto beans
1 15-ounce can garbanzo beans
1 30-ounce can of tomato sauce
1 package taco seasoning
1 pound ground beef, browned
Pour everything into the slow cooker, juice and all, and stir well. Cook on low for at least 2-3 hours, but all day is better. Top with shredded cheese and serve with tortilla chips if desired.
Melissa DeMoux is a stay-at-home mother of six young children who lives in West Valley City, Utah.