5 Simple Ways to Put a Low-Key Twist on Classic Holiday Dishes

Published on 11/9/2020 at 3:00 AM

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Preparing an entire holiday meal from scratch can be a little daunting, especially if you've never done it before. There are so many ingredients and cooking times to keep straight — not to mention, the added pressure of getting a beloved family recipe just right.

That's where shortcuts really come in handy. Even using one or two of these holiday cooking tricks can drastically reduce your stress levels, and leave you with more energy to spend perfecting great-grandma's traditional gravy. And since so many of our fave indulgent holiday meals aren't so friendly to our health, make sure at least your teeth and gums are protected from any acidic ingredients that could harm them by using Pronamel®.

Whether you're a seasoned cook or total newbie, these low-key adaptations of five classic dishes can save you some serious stress this holiday season.

Small-Scale Roast Turkey

Don't want to spend all day roasting a whole turkey, or feeding a smaller group? Opt for a bone-in turkey breast instead of the whole bird. Rubbing the meat with garlic, sage, rosemary, and thyme gives it those classic Thanksgiving flavors in a fraction of the time.

Shortcut Mulled Wine

Most mulled wine recipes call for a massive jug of red wine, but if you're not serving a crowd, it's easy enough to scale down. For two people, heat half a bottle of red wine with a sliced orange, a few whole cloves, and a cinnamon stick or two. The result? Just enough holiday cheer! Plus, Pronamel® will protect your teeth from the ultra-acidic red wine and citrus combo, so you can sip without worry.

Speedy Green Bean Casserole

No holiday recipe comes with as much nostalgia as traditional green bean casserole. Though it's simple enough to put together, not everyone is a fan of the creamed soup vibe. For a minimalist version, simply sauté the beans with salt and pepper until tender, then sprinkle with the usual topping of french-fried onions.

Slow Cooker Mashed Potatoes

Though mashed potatoes seem simple enough, they can be tricky to get right — unless you use the slow cooker. Cooking the spuds slowly over several hours makes them impossibly tender and incredibly easy to mash. Once they're mashed, just stir in some milk and butter, season with salt and pepper, and you're ready to serve.

Dressed-Up Pumpkin Pie

If you're not feeling up to baking, you don't even have to make the pumpkin pie yourself. A few simple additions can make any store-bought pie seem fancy. Beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon confectioner's sugar, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until still peaks form, then dollop your homemade whipped cream on top of each slice. A sprinkle of cinnamon is the ideal finishing touch.