With Christmas just around the corner, now is a good time to make plans for your Christmas meal. Preparing a dish ahead and putting it in the freezer to be used later saves time during this busy season. Due to a recent snowstorm that dumped about 12 inches of snow on the area, we could not attend one Thanksgiving get-together. I now have 48 ham balls in my freezer, just waiting to be served for one of our Christmas gatherings. Life happens, and this year I am even more prepared.

Creamy Cranberry Salad

Cranberry salad is a tradition that many families prepare for the holidays. This recipe is one that was shared with me, and I hope that you enjoy it. Cranberries are a healthy fruit. They are high in vitamins and fiber, can improve heart and oral health and are also good for a healthy digestive system.

Ingredients

3 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, coarsely chopped

1 can (20-ounce) crushed pineapple, drained

1 medium apple, peeled and chopped

2 cups marshmallows

2/3 cup sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

2 cups whipped cream

Instructions

Chop the cranberries using a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped but not mushy. Drain pineapple and add to cranberries. Add all remaining ingredients except for whipped cream. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Before serving, add whipped cream and stir well.

Dried Beef Dill Dip

When we have our Christmas gathering, we like to have a couple of appetizers ready to serve ahead of time, as kids and grandkids come in saying, “What do you have to munch on?” Of course, this recipe is a great one and quicker to make than dill pickle wraps.

Ingredients

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese (softened)*

1/3 cup sour cream

3 dill pickle spears (medium-fine, chopped)

1 package dried beef (chopped)

1 tablespoon dill pickle juice

1 teaspoon onion salt

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

Note: Add more seasonings, pickles and cheese as desired. I like to add an extra 1/2 cup of sour cream to make it a little more creamy.

Instructions

In a medium-size bowl, whisk together the sour cream and softened cream cheese. Add the salts to this mixture, pickle juice and cheddar cheese. Stir in dried beef and chopped pickles. Mix well. Chill for one hour. Serve with crackers.

*Set out cream cheese so it is room temperature when you are ready to prepare this dip.

Pepsi Roast Beef

This is a recipe that will make your roast fall apart tender. It is said that the cola’s acidity helps tenderize the meat during the baking time. Remember to use plain coke, not diet.

Ingredients

1 3-to-4-pound arm cut roast

1 teaspoon garlic salt

1 can undiluted cream of mushroom soup

1 package onion soup mix

1 12-ounce can Pepsi (not diet)

Instructions

Place roast in baking dish. Sprinkle it with garlic salt. Pour cream of mushroom soup over roast. Crumble dry soup mix over this. Pat down with fork. Slowly pour Pepsi over the roast. Bake covered with lid or foil for 3 hours at 375 degrees.

5-Minute Fudge

One of my recipes from Christmases past is 5-Minute Fudge. One of my granddaughters always asks me to make it, and it is on my list for this year.

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups white sugar

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 6-ounce package milk chocolate chips

16 large marshmallows

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup chopped nuts

Instructions

Combine sugar, milk, butter and salt in a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a boil, cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Add in chocolate chips, cook until melted. Remove from heat and stir in the marshmallows, vanilla and nuts. Mix well. Pour into an 8-by-8-inch pan. Cool and cut into squares.

Wishing you a Christmas that is full of peace, joy, and happiness!

Loretta Krahling is a columnist with over 38 years of newspaper experience. If you have a favorite recipe you would like to share, or if you have any questions, email them to Loretta at krahling93@gmail.com.