Side dishes worth celebrating

(Family Features) A holiday feast is made magical by the array of sides that create a symphony of flavors and textures worth celebrating. Cheese is always a crowd-pleaser, and these rich, creamy, cheesy sides can earn you high praise from friends and family.

Make your side dishes extra special by putting a twist on traditional mashed potatoes or serving up a fresh take on a decadent fondue. If you’re out to make a big impression, these croquettes feature a crispy outer crust surrounding a melty, cheesy center for a flavor explosion that lights up your taste buds.

The secret to each of these recipes is mild, mellow, nutty cheese. Best recognized as a classic wedge available in original and smoked flavors, Jarlsberg Brand Cheese has a mild, mellow, nutty flavor, and offers a naturally lactose and gluten free way to make culinary magic this holiday season.

Find more holiday-worthy recipes, and learn more about the rich, 60-year Norwegian heritage of Jarlsberg Cheese, at jarlsberg.com.

Croquettes

Servings: 4

Tomato Sauce:

• 10 ounces tomatoes
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/3 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon curry
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste

Croquettes:

• 4 ounces Jarlsberg cheese
• 4 ounces cured ham
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 tablespoons shallots
• 2 tablespoons parsley
• 10 gelatin leaves
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons flour, plus extra for dredging
• 3 cups milk
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 4 cups cooking oil
• 2 eggs
• 6 tablespoons breadcrumbs

1. To prepare sauce, chop up tomatoes and finely chop garlic. In saucepan, mix tomatoes, garlic, cinnamon, sugar and curry, and allow to simmer about 1 hour. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
2. To make croquettes, grate cheese, cut ham into small pieces and finely chop garlic, shallots and parsley. Soak gelatin leaves in cold water 5 minutes.
3. In saucepan, combine butter, 3 tablespoons flour and milk and bring to boil to make thick, white sauce. Squeeze water from gelatin and melt into sauce. Stir until smooth then stir in cheese until melted. Add ham, shallots and parsley, and season with salt and pepper.
4. Pour mixture into square tin to depth of about 1 inch. Smooth top and leave to cool. Cut into about 40 1-by-2-inch rectangular slices.
5. Heat oil in shallow skillet. Meanwhile, beat eggs lightly until frothy. Coat croquettes in flour, dip into egg then coat with breadcrumbs. Repeat for double-coating and fry until golden.

Baked Mashed Potatoes

Servings: 7

• 4 large baking potatoes
• 1 cup shredded Jarlsberg cheese
• 1 cup milk
• 1 container sour cream
• 1 cup butter
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Place potatoes in large pot of salted water and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until tender. Drain and transfer potatoes to flat bottom bowl and mash. Add cheese, milk, sour cream, butter, salt and pepper. Mash all ingredients with potatoes until smooth. Pour mixture into baking pan and cover with foil. Bake, 30 minutes, covered. Uncover potatoes during last 10 minutes to allow browning.

Cheese Fondue

Serves: 4

• 16 ounces Jarlsberg cheese
• 1 garlic clove
• 2 cups white wine
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 tablespoon kirsch (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• salt, to taste
• nutmeg, to taste

1. Grate cheese, or cut into small cubes.
2. Rub inside of saucepan with garlic. Heat white wine and lemon juice on medium-low heat, but do not boil.
3. Meanwhile, mix flour and cheese in bowl. Slowly add cheese while stirring in remaining ingredients. If fondue is too thin, add more cheese. If fondue is too hard, add more wine.
4. Serve with crusty cubes of French or Italian bread, broccoli, cauliflowers, pepper strips, mushrooms, potatoes, asparagus spears or Granny Smith apple slices for dipping.

Variations: Substitute white wine with champagne, or add roasted garlic, fine herbs or bacon.

Jerusalem Artichokes Au Gratin

Servings: 4

• 2 cups Jerusalem artichokes
• 4 shallots
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 1/3 cups creme fraiche
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• lemon juice, to taste
• 1 1/3 cups grated Jarlsberg cheese
• fresh herbs
• fresh ground black pepper

1. Heat oven to 400° F.
2. Peel artichokes and cut into approximately 1/4-inch slices. Cut shallots into wedges and finely chop garlic. In bowl, combine artichokes, shallots and garlic with creme fraiche, and add salt, pepper and lemon juice, to taste.
3. Spoon mixture into ovenproof dish and sprinkle grated cheese on top. Bake on center rack 30-40 minutes. Serve with fresh herbs and fresh ground black pepper.

Source: Jarlsberg Cheese

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Easy ideas for feeding unexpected holiday guests

(Family Features) The holiday season brings friends and family from far and wide, and that often means you’ll be rolling out the welcome mat to guests who drop by unexpectedly. Whether you encounter a surprise visit or well-intentioned plans get shifted in the hustle and bustle of the season, make-ahead dishes will let you go with the flow and have fuss-free snacks and meals on hand, ready to serve your loved ones no matter when they arrive.

Ease your mind one step further and ensure each recipe comes out perfectly by using the right equipment during preparation. For example, Anolon Gourmet Cookware is designed for superior performance, lasting durability that stands up to rigorous kitchen use and easy maintenance. With sturdy ergonomic handles for lifting and leverage, the equipment is both comfortable to hold and aesthetically pleasing.

Explore more pots, pans and cookware options from Anolon Gourmet Cookware at anolon.com to make it easy to welcome unexpected guests this holiday season.

Sausage, Cheddar and Sourdough Strata

Recipe courtesy of Anolon Gourmet Cookware

• Large Anolon Advanced Umber Skillet
• 8 ounces sweet Italian sausage, removed from casing
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, thinly sliced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh thyme
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 large red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• butter
• Anolon Vesta 9-by-13-inch Baking Dish
• 1 sourdough baguette (12 ounces), cut into 1/2-inch slices
• 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
• 8 large eggs
• 2 cups milk
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Heat skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until no longer pink, 7-8 minutes, breaking into smaller pieces with wooden spoon. Transfer to bowl with slotted spoon. Add oil to skillet; stir in onion, garlic, thyme and basil: cook 2 minutes. Add bell pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5-6 minutes; remove from heat.
2. Butter baking dish. Place single layer of bread on bottom; top evenly with onion mixture and sprinkle with sausage and cheese. Top with remaining bread slices.
3. Whisk together eggs, milk, salt and pepper until well combined. Slowly pour mixture over top layer of bread. Cover with plastic wrap and place heavy objects (e.g., canned food) on top to weigh it down. Refrigerate at least 2 hours, or up to overnight.
4. Heat oven to 350° F.
5. Remove baking dish from refrigerator and uncover. Bake until strata is puffed and browned, and eggs are set, about 40-50 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool 5 minutes before cutting into serving pieces.

Pumpkin and Macadamia Soup

Recipe courtesy of Anolon Gourmet Cookware

• 3.5-Quart Anolon Advanced Umber Saucepan
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/3 cup roughly chopped raw macadamia nuts
• 1 small white onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon grated ginger
• 2 cups diced squash or pumpkin
• 1 apple, peeled and chopped
• 3 cups chicken stock
• roasted macadamia nuts, for garnish

1. In heavy-based, large saucepan, heat oil; add raw macadamias, onion and ginger, and saute over medium heat 2-3 minutes, or until golden.
2. Add squash and apple, and cook 1-2 minutes longer then pour over stock. Cover and cook 15-20 minutes, or until squash is soft.
3. Tip off some liquid and reserve then puree remainder using immersion blender, or in blender until smooth and creamy. Add reserved liquid to bring to desired consistency.
4. Reheat and serve in bowls sprinkled with roasted macadamias.

Brown Butter Pecan Cinnamon Bars

Recipe courtesy of Anolon Gourmet Cookware

• Anolon Vesta 9-by-13-inch Baking Dish
• 10 ounces unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 2 cups coarsely chopped pecans, toasted

1. Heat oven to 350° F.
2. Grease baking pan.
3. In medium pot over medium-low to medium heat, heat butter until golden brown, stirring frequently and making sure to scrape bottom of pan. Remove from heat and pour into bowl when golden brown to stop more coloring. Set aside.
4. Whisk together sugars, eggs and vanilla extract. Whisk in butter in steady stream. Add flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and pecans. Stir until evenly blended.
5. Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
6. Bake until toothpick inserted into center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Do not overcook or bars will be dry. Let cool to room temperature then cut into pieces.

Source: Anolon Gourmet Cookware

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(Family Features) A wealth of research shows that starting each morning with a nutritious breakfast delivers benefits throughout the day. If you’re pressed for time or simply need to mix up your morning routine, put a fresh spin on a time-saving favorite by making a smoothie bowl.

Smoothie bowls typically have a thicker consistency than traditional smoothies, and according to a recent study in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” the thicker the smoothie, the more full you will feel.

“I love smoothie bowls because they are a satisfying and satiating way to get a ton of nutrition in first thing in the morning,” said Carolyn Brown, a registered dietitian and nutritionist at Foodtrainers in New York City. “You can add in healthy ingredients that you might not be able to eat on a daily basis like spinach, basil, mint, cinnamon, nut butters or avocado.”

Brown points out that in her experience with clients, people love to eat with a spoon and find it more mentally and physically satisfying. The same goes for adding texture, such as a crunchy topping like goodnessknows snack squares. These satisfying, gluten-free snacks are crafted with the goodness of whole nuts, real fruits and toasted oats, with no artificial colors, flavors or sweeteners. Divided into four snackable squares per serving and nestled in a layer made with dark chocolate, one individual, two-bite square contains only about 40 calories.

Find out more about how doing a little good for yourself can go a long way at goodnessknows.com.

Apple Pie Smoothie Bowl

Recipe courtesy of Anna Luther of My Life and Kids

Smoothie

• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup raw oats
• 1/2 cup milk (or unsweetened almond or coconut milk)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon vanilla
• honey, to taste (optional)

Toppings

• Diced apples
• Shaved almonds
• Cinnamon
• goodnessknows apple almond & peanut dark chocolate snack squares

1. In blender, mix all smoothie ingredients until smooth. Add honey to increase sweetness, if desired. Add toppings before serving.

Oatmeal Banana Smoothie Bowl

Recipe courtesy of Alison Ray of So Chic Life

• 2/3 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• sea salt
• 1/2 cup almond milk, 2 percent milk or soy milk
• 1 small banana (or 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce)
• goodnessknows snack squares (any flavor)
• grated coconut, to taste

1. In small bowl, mix together oats, coconut milk, chia seeds, vanilla and pinch of salt. Cover and place in refrigerator at least 30 minutes, or overnight to help flavors soak in.
2. In blender or food processor, combine oat mixture with remaining milk and half of the banana (or applesauce). Blend until smooth and creamy.
3. Pour creamy oats into bowl, and top with snack squares, coconut and slices of remaining banana half.

Tip: To thin consistency, use additional milk.

Source: goodnessknows

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Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup butter (1 stick), softened
• 1 cup Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Glaze (recipe follows)

Preparation

1. PREHEAT oven to 350°F. Grease baking sheets.
2. COMBINE flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl. Beat sugar and butter in large mixer bowl until well blended. Beat in pumpkin, egg and vanilla extract until smooth. Gradually beat in flour mixture. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto prepared baking sheets.
3. BAKE for 15 to 18 minutes or until edges are firm. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely. Drizzle Glaze over cookies.
4. For Glaze: COMBINE 2 cups sifted powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, 1 tablespoon melted butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract in small bowl until smooth.

Serves

Makes 3 dozen

Source

Libby's Pumpkin

Ingredients

Cake

• 1/4 cup powdered sugar (to sprinkle on towel)
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2/3 cup Libby's 100% Pure Pumpkin
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped (optional)

Filling

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
• 6 tablespoons butter or margarine, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar (optional for decoration)

Preparation

For Cake:

1. PREHEAT oven to 375° F. Grease 15 x 10-inch jelly-roll pan; line with wax paper. Grease and flour paper. Sprinkle a thin, cotton kitchen towel with powdered sugar.
2. COMBINE flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt in small bowl. Beat eggs and granulated sugar in large mixer bowl until thick. Beat in pumpkin. Stir in flour mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan. Sprinkle with nuts.
3. BAKE for 13 to 15 minutes or until top of cake springs back when touched. (If using a dark-colored pan, begin checking for doneness at 11 minutes. Immediately loosen and turn cake onto prepared towel. Carefully peel off paper. Roll up cake and towel together, starting with narrow end. Cool on wire rack.

For Filling:

1. BEAT cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, butter and vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until smooth. Carefully unroll cake.
2. Spread cream cheese mixture over cake.
3. Reroll cake. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.
4. Sprinkle with powdered sugar before serving, if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 370
Total Fat: 16g
Cholesterol: 105mg
Protein: 5g
Carbohydrates: 52g
Sodium: 280mg

Serves

Makes 10 servings

Notes, Tips & Suggestions

Cooking Tips - Be sure to put enough powdered sugar on the towel when rolling up the cake so it will not stick.

Source

Nestlé USA, Inc.

Ingredients

• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup Silk Nog or Vanilla Silk
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
• 6 (1-inch thick) slices cinnamon swirl or any sliced bread
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• Maple syrup or fruit
• Sifted powdered sugar

Preparation

1. In large bowl, whisk together eggs, soymilk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Place bread slices in flat casserole dish and cover with egg mixture. Let soak 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Heat non-stick skillet over medium heat and melt 1 tablespoon of butter. Add slices of soaked bread and cook until golden brown. Top French toast with maple syrup or fruit and sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Serves

Serves 6

Source

Silk Soy Milk