Merry Christmas! Do you struggle with the stress of entertaining during the holiday season? Does the thought of having friends and family in your home cause your anxiety level to immediately increase?
Today, I want to share two of my favorite recipes for holiday entertaining. These are my "5 star" guaranteed winners.
The first is my all-time favorite appetizer recipe, sure to elicit “WOW” responses from your guests.
Hot Pecan Dip
1 cup chopped pecans
2 teaspoons butter
¼ teaspoon salt
1 8-ounce package cream cheese (softened)
2 Tablespoons milk
2 2-ounce package dried beef, chopped fine
¼ cup green pepper, chopped fine
1 small grated onion
½ teaspoon garlic salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
½ cup sour cream
Saute pecans in butter and salt. (Be careful not to burn)
Blend cream cheese and milk in mixer until smooth. Mix in the dried beef, green pepper, grated onion, garlic salt, black pepper and sour cream. Place in a small buttered casserole. Cover with pecans.
Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
Serve with raw vegetables or crackers.
To reduce your shopping frustrations, here is a picture of the dried beef I use. In my grocery store, this is stocked near the bacon.
My second “WOW” recipe is the best piece of entertaining advice I was ever given:
“Bless, not impress.”
Keep your focus on loving and encouraging your guests (and off of yourself). When you find your anxiety level rising as you prepare for family and friends, try repeating my mantra: "Bless, not impress." I'm confident that it will help you keep your focus on what’s really important.
Enjoy the gift of friends and family this Christmas season. I hope my two favorite recipes will add to your celebrations.
Merry Christmas, with love.