Holidays Made Easy Holidays can be festive & fun or stressful & bothersome. If you are in charge of cooking the holiday is stressful. We have found 2 books helpful to caregivers or brain injured 1.)Thanksgiving Made Easy in 2 Hours-a 95 page, book about 8 ¼ x 5 ¼ by Barilla (the pasta company) 2.) Home for the Holidays 8x5 book by the VFW Headquarters-816-756-3390. Almost all the recipes were submitted from vets. (like below) Here’s some quick recipes: Green Bean Casserole 1 Can Green Beans 1 Can Mushroom Soup 1-2 Teaspoons of Pimento ½ Cup fried Onions Mix together first 3 ingredients & top with fried onions. Bake for 20 minutes at 350 Degree oven. ______________________________ Sweet Potato Casserole 3 Cups Canned yams, mashed 1 Cup Sugar 1 Stick Butter, softened 1 Teaspoon Vanilla 2 Eggs Beat the above 5 ingredients for 5 minutes with a mixer then Pour into a greased casserole dish. Topping 1/3 Cup Flour 1/3 Cup Butter, softened 1 Cup Brown Sugar 1 Cup Chopped Pecans Mix all Topping ingredients together tossing with your clean fingers & spread over top of Yam mixture. Bake at 350 Degrees for 1 hour. ## ______________________________ Glazed Cranberry in Chocolate Pools 1½ Cups Mixed Berries-Blueberries, Raspberries, Blackberries, etc. ½ Cup Sliced Almonds 1 Teaspoon Olive Oil 1/8 Teaspoon Cinnamon ½ Cup Ocean Spray Craisins Sweetened Dried Cranberries 2/3 Cup Raspberry-Cran Juice Drink ¼ Cup Brown sugar 1 ½ Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar 1 Cup Quality Dark chocolate Cup 1.) In a small sauté pan, toss almonds with olive oil & cinnamon over a medium heat for about 5 minutes until fragrant. And set aside. 2.) In a medium bowl, mix varies Berries & Craisins. And set aside. 3.) Place Juice, Brown Sugar and Balsamic vinegar into a medium saucepan & boil over medium high heat about 4 minutes or until reduced by half and thickened. 4.) Stir in half of Craisin Sauce (#3) into Berries (#2). 5.) In a microwave (about 15 seconds) or a very low heat on top of the stove, melt chocolate till fully melted. To Assemble: *1.) Place a puddle of chocolate in the center of a plate or shallow bowl. *2.) Top with equal portion of berries. *3.) Drizzle with cranberry syrup & top with almonds. ## ------------------------------------------------