This post is sponsored by Tyson Foods, Inc but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I absolutely love this time of year, because it feels so festive and cozy. I’m not sure if you know this about me, but I absolutely love to cook and have company over. When we have company over, it tends to be a large number of people, so stocking up on all the main parts of our meals is essential. Over the years, I’ve created a little holiday meal planning routine for myself that really takes the stress out of the whole thing. Today, I have a few tips that will help your own holiday meal planning run a little smoother. Take it from me, someone who has made many a hosting mistake in the past, these are all tried and true!
I never want to run low or run out of anything while I’m cooking, so buying items in bulk at Sam’s Club is the perfect solution. They offer so many wonderful brands that I know and trust. Since cooking for other people can be a little nerve-wracking, even when you enjoy it, it’s very calming to know that the items I get at Sam’s Club are high quality and they’re going to taste good. Let’s get into my three main tips for holiday meal planning.
TIP #1 Stock up!
This might be obvious already, but stock up! I always say I’d rather have too much than not enough. Don’t be afraid to buy extra food. You can also send leftovers home with your guests, but it’s hard to run out and buy extra if you run out. I purchased all of these premium meats at Sam’s Club. The Tyson® Cornish Hens actually came in a six-pack, which will definitely last us through the holiday season. It’s actually really great that I can separate out what I need and store away the rest for later.
TIP #2 Do a dry run of your meal
Take it from me, don’t try making a new-to-you meal the day that you are hosting guests at your house. Honestly, I’ve done this before, and it’s not also stressful but the recipe might not turn out the way you want it to. On this day, I was making a new-to-me sausage and potato roast. I didn’t have a recipe, so I was making it up as I go. We were so, so happy with how it turned out. It was the perfect side dish to our cornish hens.
Here is how I made it:
Sausage and Potato Roast
Ingredients
4 oz.
Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausages
4 medium Gold Yukon Potatoes
1 small
Onion
to taste
Salt and pepper
drizzle
Olive oil
1/2 cup
Shredded cheese, optional
Cooking Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Combine all ingredients, except cheese, in baking dish, stir well.
When combined well, sprinkle cheese across the top.
Bake until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork, about 40-50 minutes. Stir occasionally while it bakes.
I also tried a new, although very simple, recipe using some of the Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausages. I love incorporated one ingredient across a couple of dishes in the meal. It really ties everything together. These smoky bacon wraps are an appetizer, so they’re wonderful to put out in the kitchen while the food is cooking and everyone is gathered around talking. Here’s how I made them:
Smoky Bacon Wraps
Ingredients
4 oz.
Hillshire Farm® Lit’l Smokies Smoked Sausages
32 oz.
Wright® Brand Bacon, thick cut
1/4 cup
Brown Sugar
Cooking Directions
Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Slice each bacon strip width-wise and length-wise.
Wrap each Lit’l Smoky with a piece of bacon, using a toothpick to secure the end.
Place each wrapped Lit’l Smoky in a glass baking dish.
When all the pieces are wrapped and placed in the dish, sprinkle the brown sugar across the tops.
Bake until the bacon is crispy on the edges, about 35-45 minutes.
TIP #3 Plan Your Tablescape
I have been known to throw together the table at the last minute, but for the past few years I’ve been taking more time and effort to do it beforehand. I actually set this table one random night when we were having dinner, and I really like it. I’ve had this swag for a while and never thought to use it on the table (vs. hanging it on the mantle or something like that). I though it looked kind of festive without being over the top. The place mats complemented the rustic feel, so this is what I’ll be using for our next holiday meal!
I hope these tips will help you as you plan your own family’s holiday meals. I’d love to hear how you get ready for the festivities this time of year!
Rebecca has been writing about style, beauty, and lifestyle topics since 2011. Thank you so much for reading this post! Feel free to leave any questions or comments below. I love hearing from you!
