Seasonal Snacks, Sips & Simplified Hosting

The holiday season is fast approaching—so plan for the unexpected. Be it finding the perfect gift or creating the coziest home decor or hauling out your favourite recipes to make, it really is the most wonderful time of the year.

Entertaining is always top of the list, so pull out your kitchen’s best friends: small kitchen appliances, like your air fryers, blenders and food processors. Consider them all a second set of hands in the kitchen, especially as holiday entertaining is going to be spread over a few weeks.

Sit downs are giving way to buffet style entertaining, and grazing is the way to go. Consider making extra dishes for the unexpected—or dishes you can take with you when you’re invited over to someone else’s home.

Whatever your plans are, remember to take time for yourself, and enjoy the spirit of the season. Make things easier—that’s why Hamilton Beach appliances are the friendly elves you’ll be needing. A trusted name whose history dates to the early 1900s when L.H. Hamilton and Chester Beach put their heads together to create a line of motor operated products for household use, Hamilton-Beach appliances will help you create the most awe-inspiring dishes while giving you time to enjoy this special season.

They also make the most awesome holiday gifts, too! —Rita DeMontis, Award-Winning Canadian Food Writer

Blenders

Great not only for making cocktails and specialty drinks, blenders can also help create wonderful dishes for the buffet table. Try the Hamilton Beach MultiBlend Kitchen System, currently on promo at Walmart Canada until December 17th.

Spiced Pumpkin Smoothie

We’ve adapted this recipe to include a spirited nod to the adults!

• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup pumpkin puree (from a can)
• 1/2 cup vanilla yogurt
• 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
• 1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
• Pinch nutmeg
• 2 cups ice cubes

Place all ingredients in blender jar in order listed. Cover and blend on Auto Smoothie setting, or pulse a few times, then blend on high for 30-45 seconds. Serves 4-6. (For a great adult holiday beverage, include 2 Tbsp. dark rum in mix.)

Pea Soup with Lemon and Mint

Who says soup needs to be hot in the wintertime? This refreshing recipe can be served in shot glasses at the buffet table or before the main course.

• 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 small onion
• 1 small shallot, chopped
• 3 1/2 cups fresh peas, or 1-16oz. pkg. frozen petite peas, defrosted and drained
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 cup packed fresh mint leaves (or 1 Tbsp. dry)
• 3 Tbsp. half and half
• 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. black pepper
• Plain Greek yogurt

In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter. Add onions and shallots and cook until onions are clear, about four minutes. Spoon onion mixture into blender jar. Add peas, broth, mint, half and half, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Blend on Puree or High for two minutes, or desired consistency is reached. Refrigerate until ready to serve. Just before serving, swirl in a little yogurt on top. Can serve 6-8 in regular bowls or 12-14 shot glasses, depending on size of glass. (For added zip, for those looking for heat, add 2-3 drops hot sauce to top of yogurt.)

Air Fryers

Air fryers help you create a variety of dishes while allowing you to entertain at the same time. Our favourite? The Hamilton Beach Digital Hot Air Fryer with Nonstick Basket, now on sale at Walmart Canada until December 17th.

Air Fryer Parmesan Fries

These fries are perfect for any holiday table.

• 1 medium russet potato, rubbed
• 1 Tbsp. salt plus 1/4 tsp., divided
• 1 tsp. vegetable oil
• 1/4 tsp. coarse black pepper
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tbsp. Chopped fresh parsley

Cut potato in ¼ x ¼- inch fries. Rinse cut potato in cold water to remove starch. Cover with fresh cold water, add 1 Tbsp. salt and stir until salt is dissolved. Refrigerate up to 2 days. Drain, rinse, and pat fries dry with paper towels. In a large bowl, combine fries, vegetable oil, remaining ¼ tsp. salt, and black pepper. Toss until fries are evenly coated. In air fryer basket, arrange fries in a single layer. Set air fryer temperature on 400F. Shaking basket every 5 minutes, cook until fries are golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle fries with Parmesan cheese and parsley. Serve with favourite dip.

Air Fryer Mini BBQ Burger Sliders

• Who doesn’t love a slider during the holiday buffet season? Bite-sized morsels of pure delish!
• 1 lb. lean ground beef
• 1/2 onion, finely minced
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce, divided
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. coarse black pepper
• 8 potato or regular slider buns
• 4 slices Cheddar cheese, halved, divided
• 1/2 cup prepared French fried onions, divided

In a large bowl, stir together ground beef, minced onion, 2 Tbsp. barbecue sauce, salt and pepper. Shape mixture into 8 burgers, each 1/2-inch thick. (Even thickness ensures even cooking and prevents edges from drying out before centre is cooked). In air fryer basket, arrange 4 burgers in an even layer. Set air fryer temperature to 350F. Turning burgers halfway through, cook 10 to 12 minutes, or until meat thermometer registers 160F and burger is no longer pink in centre. Remove burgers from basket and keep warm. Repeat cooking with remaining burgers. Place each burger on slider bun and top with 1/2 slice cheddar cheese, 1-½ tsp. barbecue sauce and 1 Tbsp. fried onion. Serves 8.

Food Processors

Food processors do all the heavy lifting for you – slicing, dicing, chopping, mixing and everything in between. The innovative Hamilton Beach Stack & Snap™ 10 Cup Food Processor does it all, available at Walmart Canada.

Spiralled Apple Crumb Tart

There’s something so special about apples this time of year – their mouth-watering aroma is the taste of the holiday season!

• 1 refrigerated pie crust, room temperature
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 3 Tbsp. packed light brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. sugar, divided
• 1-1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon, divided
• 1/4 cup cold butter, sliced
• 5 small green apples, peeled and cored

Heat oven to 425F. Line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Place pie crust in centre of cookie sheet and unroll. In a food processor bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, 1 Tbsp. sugar and 1 tsp. cinnamon by pulsing a few times to blend. With food processor running, add butter through food chute and blend until crumbs form. Set aside. Using a spiralizer, make ribbons of apples. Place apple ribbons in centre of pie crust, leaving 1-1/2 inches around edge. In a small bowl, stir remaining 1 Tbsp. sugar and 1/4 tsp. cinnamon until blended. Sprinkle over apples. Fold 1-1/2-inch crust up around apple ribbons, pinching while folding. Top apple ribbons with reserved crumb mixture. Bake until crust and crumb topping are browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Serves: 8

Cranberry Orange Relish

This gorgeous dish truly reflects the flavours of the holiday season, and comes together easily with your food processor. Serve with cold turkey or ham slices.

• 12 oz. cranberries (fresh with stems removed, or frozen)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 small navel orange, washed, cut into wedges
• 3 Tbsp. Grand Marnier liqueur or orange juice
• Dash of ground cloves

Using mixing/chopping blade, place cranberries, sugar, orange, Grand Marnier or orange juice, and cloves into the work bowl. Process until cranberries are almost smooth, yet a bit chunky. Cover and refrigerate overnight.