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Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Though it’s often adults who are in the kitchen each year – perhaps basting the turkey or stirring the gravy – the holiday provides a great opportunity to get kids involved and make the day even more festive.
The key to success? Make it easy and make it fun!
A turkey cheese ball requires just a few ingredients, is simple to prepare, and chefs can be creative in making it their own. It can easily be adapted for dietary restrictions (e.g., consider gluten-free crackers if there are allergies).
Bubble bread is another recipe that comes together easily. Kids will have fun rolling dough into balls, dipping in butter and herbs, and enjoying with dinner.
Happy holidays!
Turkey Cheese Ball
Ingredients:
- 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- ½ cup chopped nuts (e.g. walnuts, pecans, or whatever your favorite is)
- Crackers
- Pretzel sticks
- 1 pretzel rod (for the neck)
- 2 small pieces of candy (or small slices of carrots or olives)
- 1 piece of candy corn (or triangular piece of carrot or bell pepper)
Directions:
- Combine first three ingredients and roll into a ball. Refrigerate for an hour (or until firm).
- Roll ball in chopped nuts and place on the center of serving plate. Surround ball with crackers.
- Add pretzel sticks to the back to resemble “feathers” and a pretzel rod to the front as the “neck.”
- Use a small amount of cream cheese to help affix the “eyes” (either small candy pieces or small slices of carrot or olives) and “nose” (candy corn or a triangular piece of fresh vegetable) stick to the pretzel rod.
Bubble Bread
Ingredients:
- 1 package frozen dinner rolls, thawed
- ¼ cup butter, melted
- ¾ cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon dill
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon basil
- ¼ teaspoon oregano
Directions:
- Cut dinner rolls in half and roll each into a ball.
- Combine parmesan cheese, dill, garlic, basil, and oregano in a bowl (note: experiment with other spices if you’d prefer other flavors!).
- Dip/roll each ball in melted butter, then in the cheese/spice mix.
- Arrange balls in a pie pan.
- Cover and let dough rise until doubled (about 1 hour).
- Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
