The tree lights are twinkling, the stockings are hung on the mantle, and the house is decorated inside and out with all things red and green. The only thing left is good company and great food. Holiday family gatherings are magical.
Family gatherings during the holidays call for delicious and hassle-free meals. From the classic green bean casserole to roasted chicken with brown rice pilaf, there’s a wide range of options to choose from, and Mahatma® Rice is here to make your holidays extra special. With our festive meal ideas, you can make the most of your family time without compromising on taste. Before we jump into planning the menu, let’s take a look at tips on how to host your soiree like a pro!
Tips on Hosting a Gathering
- Prep & Cook Ahead – If at all possible, try to prepare as many things in advance as you can. This will cause less stress the day of and more time to mingle and relax!
- Break out the China – It’s the holiday season! Why not use that beautiful China that you have been saving for special occasions? Abuela will be happy to see you are taking advantage of the gift she bought you.
- Prepare your Home – Think of things that you may need, like a new coat rack, durable rugs, or extra tables and chairs to make everyone feel comfortable and your home will be in order.
- Make a Timeline – Write down the estimated time of events during your day and everything is sure to run smoothly.
- Ask for Help – Remember that it is ok to ask for help from other family members. Teamwork makes the dream work!
Now that you have an idea of how the day will go, let’s move on to that menu!
Appetizers to Get the Party Started
Starting your family gathering, you really want to WOW your guests right from the get-go with delicious and amazing appetizers. Luckily, Mahatma® Rice is here to help with that. Our Basmati Rice and Crab Cakes are a great way to start. These tasty morsels are made up of green onions, fresh parsley, and Dijon mustard (don’t forget the delicious crab meat!) They quickly turn a gorgeous golden brown hue thanks to the egg and mayonnaise mixture that holds them together. These Basmati Rice and Crab Cakes will convert even the pickiest eater when served with a warm curry-mango sauce!
Easy Wild Stuffed Mushrooms are always a hit with any crowd. This dish is packed to the brim with our Mahatma® Long Grain & Wild Rice Mix, finely chopped mushroom stems, salty Parmesan cheese, and red pimientos. Nothing more than earthy tastes, nutty wild rice grains, savory red pepper, and salty melted parmesan could be desired in a stuffed vegetable.
Holiday Turkey Recipe
Some people say that a holiday is incomplete without eating turkey for the main course! Interested in finding out why it’s common to enjoy turkey over the holidays? Well, King Henry VIII decided to serve a turkey on Christmas instead of the customary goose during his reign. Following this, King Edward VII embraced the treat and made Christmas turkeys a common tradition. Since then, it has quickly become a tradition among many households. Our Brown Rice Stuffing with Roasted Turkey is sure to be a hit among all of your guests. All you need to amaze any dinner guest with traditional flavors is a turkey that has been roasted to golden, juicy perfection, rich and creamy homemade pan gravy, and a fluffy and hearty stuffing made with brown rice rather than bread. Sometimes all you need for a special meal are the tried-and-true classics that everyone craves. #Playwithyourfood and get creative with what you decide to put in your stuffing.
Alternative Main Courses
Popularized in the 1960’s, Green Bean Casserole has consistently been on the menu every holiday season. Mahatma® Rice invites you to #playwithyourfood with this classic recipe and try a completely new twist! We are sure that you are going to love it! Our green bean casserole is a handcrafted Mexican rice dish with fluffy Mahatma® Parboiled Rice for extra texture and Mexican-style cheese for a wonderful Mexican touch. Because our parboiled rice has already been partially cooked, the grains are airy rather than sticky, making it ideal for meals like this one. Choose a less starchy sort of rice if you prefer something different. Jasmine rice might be substituted to add fragrant undertones.
Another holiday classic is any recipe that includes sweet corn, and here at Mahatma® Rice, we have the perfect recipe for you to try! Our Creamy Sweet Corn Risotto. Using Mahatma® Arborio Rice and shallots that have been perfectly sautéed in butter and oil, cooked in stock, and topped with Parmesan, this rich and creamy risotto combines creamed corn with traditional Italian flavors.
Classic Sweet Treats
No holiday party is complete without yummy desserts, and your guests will always have room for more.
Our Christmas Cake Brown Rice Fritters are an irresistible treat and a perfect way to wrap up the meal. You’ll receive requests to prepare these sweet and flavorful morsels for holiday feasts for years to come. They are created with Mahatma® Brown Rice, flour, dried fruit, allspice, cinnamon, and sugar, fried to golden perfection, and drizzled with a delicious homemade rum simple syrup. Or try our Eggnog Rice Pudding. This delightfully festive rice pudding, which is made with fluffy Mahatma® White Rice, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, almonds, a little amount of rum, and of course, egg yolks, is ideal as a dessert for a holiday dinner or as a sweet treat whenever your sweet tooth calls.
Holiday Party Activities
Now that your guests are full and things are winding down, why not have a few activities planned to continue the fun?
- Play Holiday Games – Charades anyone?
- Organize a Gift Exchange – White elephant gifts are a fun and silly way to make sure that everyone leaves with a little extra something special.
- Decorate the Tree – Have your family help you make your tree the talk of the neighborhood!
For more recipe ideas, visit our page here.
