5 Recipes for Picture-Perfect Holiday Cooking with Freeze-Dried Foods

Cooking for a crowd on the holidays is no easy feat. From making an ingredient shopping list as long as Santa's to ensuring everything is done and served simultaneously, there are many boxes to tick for a successful holiday feast. We encourage you to try our freeze-dried foods to make things easier this year. Ready in a few simple steps, they can save you lots of time on prepping, be it peeling potatoes or tenderizing meat. Plus, they're just as tasty and nutritious as their fresh counterparts. So, if this is the year you'd like to make a delicious holiday feast and have fun while making it, our five festive recipes will help you make the most of it. After all, 'tis the season for holiday cooking with freeze-dried foods!

1. Cheddar & Chives Bread Rolls

Both savory and tangy, these dinner rolls feature a medley of flavors that rivals those of the main dish itself. Sure, Cheddar cheese and chives are not an everyday combo. But that's what holiday cooking is all about: trying new, intriguing recipes that will excite you and your guests.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup no-fat milk
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp dried garlic (granulated)
• 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated
• 1/4 cup dried chives
• 1 tbsp granulated sugar
• 2 tsp dry yeast
• Olive oil, to coat
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

Warm the milk over medium heat and add the butter, stirring until melted.

Transfer mixture to a bowl and add the sugar. Let cool. Whisk in the eggs, yeast, garlic, and flour. Knead until you form the dough, cover with plastic wrap, and let rest for 30 minutes or until it doubles in size.

Preheat the oven to 350oF and grease a 12-inch pan with olive oil.

Turn the dough onto a floured surface and, using a rolling pin, roll the dough into a sheet about 1/8-inch thick. Spread the cheese on top of the dough and sprinkle with the chives.

Roll the dough into a log and cut into rounds. Arrange the rolls into the pan and bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. Enjoy warm.

2. Grape & Goat Cheese Salad

Gourmet yet simple, this festive salad is the perfect way to ease into a holiday cooking mood. Roasting the grapes is optional (but highly recommended) as it will make the side dish fancier and more complex in flavor.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cups freeze dried red grape halves (seedless)
• 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 4 cups mixed greens (spinach, arugula, lettuce, etc.)
• 1 cup goat's cheese, crumbled
• 5 tbsp walnuts, roughly chopped
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

Add the grapes and 1½ cups of hot water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, squeeze away excess liquid and set aside.

(Optional step) Preheat the oven to 400oF and line a small baking dish with parchment paper. Toss the grapes with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and salt and transfer to the baking dish. Roast for 30 minutes until the juices of the fruit are released. Remove from the oven and let cool.

Transfer the grapes (and its juices, if roasting) to a salad bowl and stir in the remaining ingredients. Toss gently to combine. Serve immediately.

3. One-Pan Chicken with Winter Vegetables

This main dish will get your holiday cooking into high gear, as it features some of winter's most popular vegetables and everyone's favorite protein, a.k.a. chicken. What's also great about it is that it requires just one pan and a splash of balsamic vinegar to complete.

Ingredients:

• 3 cups freeze dried potatoes
• 3 cups textured soy protein (TSP) chicken bits
• 1/3 cup dried carrots
• 3/4 cup freeze dried broccoli
• 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 3 tbsp olive oil
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 1 cup croutons, to garnish

Instructions:

Add the potatoes, chicken, carrots, and broccoli to a large pot and cover with hot water until coated. Soak for 15 minutes. Once hydrated, strain and squeeze away excess liquid. Transfer to a large baking pan. Toss with the olive oil and vinegar and season with salt and pepper.

Preheat the oven to 350oF and roast for 45-50 minutes or until the veggies and chicken are cooked. Garnish with croutons and serve.

4. Cranberry Brie Dip

Baked brie is a perennial holiday appetizer. And honestly, it's perfect as is. But if you want to take it to the next level, infusing it with some cranberry sauce is a winning move. For some much-needed crunch, serve the dip with either biscuits or baked pita chips.

Ingredients:

• 13 ounces of brie cheese
• 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese
• 1/4 cup freeze dried cranberries
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar
• 1/2 tsp dried rosemary
• 1 tsp honey

Instructions:

Add the cranberries, sugar, and 1/4 cup of water to a saucepan and simmer over medium heat. Cook for 15 minutes or until the cranberries burst. Remove from the stove and let cool.

Preheat the oven to 375oF and place the brie in a skillet. Bake for 10 minutes until melted. Remove from the oven and gently fold in the cranberry sauce, Cheddar, and rosemary. Bake for another 5 minutes and remove. Drizzle with honey and serve with pita chips or biscuits.

5. Cherry Chocolate Bark

Loaded with cherries, pretzels, and cashews, this holiday treat is just as gorgeous to look at as it is delicious. You can also make more of it to gift to your friends, family, or coworkers. They'll thank you, for sure!

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 cups dark chocolate, melted and cooled
• 2/3 cup salted pretzels, roughly chopped
• 1/3 cup freeze dried cherries
• 1/3 cup salted cashews, roughly chopped

Instructions:

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Pour half the chocolate onto the sheet and spread into an even layer using a spatula. Top with half of the cherries, pretzels, and cashews.

Repeat the step with the remaining half of the chocolate, add-ins, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Break the bark into pieces, and enjoy!

Check some of our healthier holiday recipes or Christmas snacks for more inspo on holiday cooking with freeze-dried foods. Happy holidays, everyone!

References: 

https://www.wrytoasteats.com/pub-cheese-cheddar-chive-dinner-rolls/

https://www.dashofthyme.com/roasted-grape-and-goat-cheese-salad/

https://sweetpeasandsaffron.com/healthy-balsamic-chicken-skillet-with-pomegranates-and-feta/

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/a24228326/cranberry-brie-biscuit-dip-recipe/

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