Holiday Favorites Saturday: Eat, Drink, and be Merry

The holiday season is filled with plenty of food, drinks, and memories. When I was five-years old, I remember my mother telling me to leave cookies and milk for Santa Claus. I was awestruck when I woke up the next morning and saw that the cookies and milk had been consumed and a note left by the cookie plate which said “Thank You, Shani!”.  Also, during the holiday season, my mother and grandmother would have their refrigerators stocked with Eggnog. I never liked the taste of it so they didn’t have to worry about sharing it with me. Over the years, I have discovered plenty of food and drinks that I have enjoyed during the holiday season.

Food

1.      Mixed Greens

If I’m in Tennessee during the holidays, I always get fresh collard, turnip, and mustard greens from H.G. Hills. I clean, chop and season the greens to perfection. The aroma of the greens lures my family closer to the kitchen in anticipation of partaking in them. I feel like I’m the VIP of the holiday dinners.

2.      Ham

I don’t indulge in much meat very often. However, during the holidays, I like to have a few slices of my mother’s brown sugar baked ham with pineapple.

3.      Sweet Dinner Rolls

I have only succeeded once in making homemade sweet dinner rolls like my grandmother. Most of my attempts resulted in flatbread instead of rolls. Most of the time, I rely on Sister Schubert’s Dinner Rolls to provide the consistency and taste I’m looking for.

4.      Sweet Potato Pie

Sweet potato pie has been a staple desert that I have prepared during my family holiday dinners. I have tried pumpkin pie but it does not compare to the taste of sweet potato pie.

Sweet Potato Pie

5.      Apple and Pear Cobbler

On Thanksgiving, I tried a recipe for apple and pear cobbler and it was a family hit! I reduced the amount of sugar as recommended in the recipe reviews and added a little ginger powder.

Apple and Pear Cobbler

Drinks

1.      Dark Red Sorrel

Dark red sorrel can be consumed year-round; however, it is extremely popular during the holidays due to the spicy flavors.

2.      Apple Ginger Juice

I can drink apple ginger juice hot or cold during the holiday season.

3.      Coquito

One of my friends introduced me to coquito about seven years ago. Coquito, also known as Puerto Rican Eggnog, is made with coconut milk, evaporated milk, sweet condensed milk, rum and spices. I have only had it a few times but the delicious coconut flavor is unforgettable.

What are your favorite foods and drinks for the holidays?