Favorite Holiday Foods (Friday Five)

Happy Friday everyone.  The holidays are approaching at full speed.  Here in the south, it's all about the food.  We eat relatively healthy year round and therefore splurge a little bit during the holidays.  These recipes are not diet or low anything.  Just keep your portions small and enjoy. These are the 5 most requested items by my family.

Chocolate Chip Pecan Pie

I'm not a big fan of traditional pecan pie...too much syrup. But this is a thin pie with chopped pecans and chocolate chips.  It has more of a brownie type consistency.  It is curl-up-on-the-couch-with-the-pan-and-a-glass-of-milk good.  (And darn worth those 5 extra miles I'll need to run!)

1 thin unbaked pie shell
2 large eggs (beaten)
2/3 cup corn syrup
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter (melted)
3/4 cup chopped pecans
2/3 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

Sprinkle the chocolate chips into your pie shell and freeze for 1 hour.  Mix all other ingredients together, pour into pie shell and bake at 375 degrees for 50 minutes or until pie is set (no jiggle in the middle).  Do not over bake.  Cool before cutting.

Spinach Surprise

If you try any recipe, this is the one.  {I promise!}  Even people who are not spinach lovers (and I have quite a few) love this.  It is the most requested item.  It's a cheesy, spinach and rice casserole served hot.

2 10 oz. packs frozen chopped spinach

2 packs Uncle Ben's Brown & Wild Ready Rice (cooked per directions)

8 oz. (2 cups) Monterrey Jack cheese (shredded)

1/2 stick butter (melted)

2 T chopped onion (optional)

Thaw and drain spinach.  Press spinach between paper towels to remove excess liquid.  Mix all ingredients and bake in greased casserole dish (square or round) at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. 

Fire Crackers

This recipe made the internet circles a while back. If you haven't tried this, you'll be amazed these crackers remain crispy. Basically, it's marinated Saltines crackers.  They are great for dipping in anything, or all by themselves.  Perfect for a hungry crowd that can't wait.

1 16 oz. box Saltines
1 pkg. dry ranch dressing mix
1 1/2 cups light olive oil
2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Lay and stack (on their sides) as many crackers as possible in large plastic container with lid.  Mix remaining ingredients and microwave for 30 seconds.  Pour evenly over crackers, keeping mixture stirred.  Close container and flip 5-6 times during day to equally distribute the liquid.  Store in clean container or zip lock bag.

***   I did not include the recipes for the last two as they seem fairly common, at least here in Dixie.  However, if you are interested please just let me know. 

Pineapple and Cheese Casserole

This is made with pineapple chunks, cheddar cheese and sugar then topped with buttery crushed Ritz crackers.  It is baked and served hot.  Scrumptious.

Watergate Salad

This one is pretty old.  It is pistachio pudding mixed with pineapple, pecans, marshmallows and cool whip.  Served cold.


Do you splurge during the holidays?  What is your favorite treat?

Thanks to Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up For What?!, & Mar on the Run! for hosting the Friday Five.