Order by December 12th to insure delivery for Christmas!

Christmas is just around the corner! Some people dread the holidays. The cooking, the gift giving, the family arriving, UGH! Although we can’t change your family, The Gourmet Cupboard can help you in the holiday cooking and gift giving department. Here is an idea to simplify Christmas and you only need to make 1 trip to the grocery store. Below are the lists of The Gourmet Cupboard products you need and your complete grocery shopping list.

Everything from Soup to Nuts!

The Mixes you will need:

1 Cream of Anything Soup Mix
2 pkgs of Hot Spiced Cider
1 Sweet Potato Crunch
1 Pumpkin Bread Mix
1 Grandma’s Pumpkin Pie
1 Caramel Pecan Pie mix
2 pkgs Praline Frosted Pecans.

Save $2 TODAY when you purchase the Christmas Dinner Package. All the above for just $34.00 plus $8 shipping.

The Groceries you will need: 2 packages of frozen pureed butternut squash, 1 package of shelled mixed nuts, 1 turkey, 1 can of sweet potatoes or 2-3 lbs of fresh, 1 package of ground sausage, celery, 1 large onion, 1 can of chicken stock, 2 prepared frozen pie shells, 1 can of pumpkin puree, eggs, oil, 1 lb of butter, ½ gallon of apple juice.

Prep one day ahead:

1. Defrost the butternut squash and place in an airtight bowl in the fridge

2. Peel and chop into bite size pieces the fresh sweet potatoes (if using fresh). Place in a ziploc bag and refrigerate.

3. Defrost pie shells in the refrigerator.

4. Bake the pumpkin bread in a rectangle cake pan (as directed on the recipe for Pumpkin Stuffing on the backside of the mix label). Cover and let sit overnight.

5. Chop 1 package of Praline Frosted Pecans in food processor. Store in a ziploc bag. No refrigeration needed.

6. Clean and prep the turkey.

7. Clean and dice the onion and 1 cup of celery, place in a ziploc or food storage container and refrigerate.

8. Bake the pies. Prepare the Pumpkin Pie as directed on package, adding the chopped Praline Pecans to the batter. Prepare the Pecan Pie as directed. In the last 15 minutes of baking the pecan pie, remove from the oven and decorate with the 2nd package of Praline Pecans. Place back in the oven to finish cooking and the whole pecans will set into the top of the pie.

The Day of: Prepare the Turkey in this manner: Mix 1 stick of softened butter with ½ package of Hot Spiced Cider mix. With a spatula, spread half the mixture under the skin of the turkey and the other half all over the outside of the turkey. Mix 2 cups of apple juice with the remaining ½ package of Hot Spiced Cider Mix and pour in the bottom of the roasting pan. Place in roasting rack and tent with foil. Roast as you normally would, basting occassionally. 

Prepare the Pumpkin-Sausage Stuffing (directions on inside of Pumpkin bread label also). In a skillet with 1 pat of butter, saute ¾ of the chopped onion, celery and package of ground sausage until done. Break the pumpkin bread into chunks by hand or cut with a knife. Add the sausage and veggie mixture and ½ cup of chicken stock to moisten. In a buttered casserole dish, spread the stuffing, place a few pats of butter on top and bake at 350 for 40 minutes before serving. 

Sweet Potatoes - If using canned sweet potatoes, pour into a baking dish and top with a package of Sweet potato crunch. Prepare as directed on the package. You can also add a small can of drained chopped pineapple (optional). If using fresh potatoes, toss with a drizzle of olive oil and roast on a baking sheet for 30 minutes. Transfer to a baking dish, top with Sweet Potato Crunch and continue to bake until potatoes are tender.

Creamy Butternut Squash Soup - In a soup pot drizzled with olive oil, saute the remaining chopped onion until translucent. Add one package of cream of anything soup and prepare as directed on package. Add the defrosted butternut squash puree and mix until well. Add a dash of milk and nutmeg if you wish (optional). Serve as your first course.

Spiced Mixed Nuts - Place shelled mixed nuts in a ziploc bag. Add 1 T of apple juice and the 2nd bag of Hot Spiced Cider mix. Zip and shake the bag to coat the nuts. Pour onto a lined cookie sheet in a single layer and roast for 20-30 minutes at 300. Let cool and serve in a decorative bowl after your meal.

So there you have it. A complete Holiday meal from Soup to Nuts, with one trip through the express lane at the grocery store and 9 of our fabulous products to lend a hand.

 Have a terrific Holiday!!

By Roberta Whalen, The Gourmet Cupboard