Holiday cooking can be a hectic experience. One way to make it go a bit easier is to select some recipes that can be made ahead of time.
Eggnog
1 qt. milk
12 eggs
1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup to 1 1/2 cups bourbon*
1 Tbl. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg, divided
1 qt. whipping cream
Heat milk […]

From the Cincinnati Post:
Apple Sour Cream Slaw
1 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons orange juice
2 tablespoons cider vinegar
2 scant tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 cup sliced celery
2 to 3 cups coarsely shredded green cabbage
1 cup shredded carrots
2 large red apples, diced, unpeeled
Small handful of raisins
1/3 cup chopped, salted peanuts
Yield: 8 […]

The winner of the Central PA 4th Fest’s Great American Cherry Pie Contest
Julie Kwasnica’s Cherry Pie
Crust:
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1 1/2 sticks cold, unsalted butter, cut into small pieces
1/4 cup solid vegetable shortening cut into small pieces
1/4 to 1/2 cup ice water
Note: All of the ingredients should be cold.
Put the flour, […]

From an article about “Extreme Burgers“:
Oven-Dried Tomatoes
2 beefsteak tomatoes
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Heat the oven to 250 degrees.
Cut the tomatoes into half-inch-thick slices and season both sides with salt and pepper. Lay the slices on a metal cooling rack set over a sheet tray and brush them […]

Great for breakfast or a lunch box snack.
Banana Blueberry Muffins
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 large ripe bananas
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/3 cup melted butter
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
Heat oven to 375 degrees F.
Grease and flour a 12-cup muffin tin or line with […]

Easy Peach Cobbler
8 cups peeled and sliced fresh peaches
3/4 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cloves
Zest of 1 lemon, finely chopped
1/2 cup chopped walnuts, optional
1 refrigerated 9-inch pie crust
For the topping:
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Toss peaches with […]

Something cool with a perfect balance of sweetness and tartness is an ideal dessert for a hot summer day. This recipe is from Betty Crocker:
Luscious Lemon Meringue Pie
Perfect Baked Pie Crust (See Below)
3 egg yolks
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/3 cup plus 1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 1/2 cups water
3 tablespoons butter or margarine
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1/2 […]

This recipe is from the Memphis Commercial Appeal. Follow the link to get tips on making homemade ice cream.
Peach Ice Cream
5 cups ripe peaches, peeled and chopped
6 eggs, lightly beaten, at room temperature
2 1/2 cups sugar
2 tbsp. all-purpose flour
1 tbsp. vanilla extract
Dash of salt
4 cups whole milk
3 cups heavy cream (whipping cream)
In a […]

Take this to your next potluck dinner or picnic.
Peach Pie
1 dozen peaches, sliced
2 cups sugar
4 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/3 cup butter
1 pre-made pie crusts (unroll and bake style) or use your own favorite 1-crust recipe
Mix peaches, sugar, flour, and nutmeg; let stand for 15 minutes. Cook in microwave for 15 minutes (time may […]

A Bisquick recipe.
Peach Cobbler Muffins
2 medium peaches, peeled and diced
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup sugar, divided
2 tablespoons butter, cut into 1/4 teaspoon pieces
1 large egg
2 cups Original Bisquick baking mix
2/3 cup whole milk
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
Topping:
2 tablespoons sugar
dash ground cinnamon
Preheat oven to 400 degrees with rack in center position. Have 24 miniature muffin cups […]