Festive Breakfast Recipe Ideas for Christmas Morning

Posted on December 16, 2016 by LTD Commodities

Christmas morning is a special time for families. For parents, it also marks the end of an exhausting holiday season. Making breakfast on Christmas morning might feel like one of the last chores to check off on a long list of holiday tasks, but it really doesn’t have to be. All you need is a few inspiring recipe ideas to get you in the mood to cook in the early hours of Christmas, and a few recipe ideas to prep your meal the night before.

Must-Have Christmas Coffee

If you’re a parent with young kids, you know that Christmas Eve can be a late night and Christmas Day can start pretty early. Get the supplies you need for your morning coffee set out the night before so you can brew a delicious cup that gets you in the Christmas spirit. Of course, as we all know, that Christmas spirit requires generous portions of whipped cream and cinnamon to top off your favorite blend. Or, if you’re really up to try something new, go the extra mile with this tempting homemade peppermint mocha recipe at Pinch of Yum.

Eggnog French Toast Recipe

We know waking up on Christmas morning can be difficult. Even though you’ve put in plenty of hours trying to make Christmas perfect for your family, there’s still some work to do on Christmas morning. Thankfully, it’s possible to make breakfast less of a chore by prepping meals the night before. French toast is a great recipe to make ahead and throw in the fridge to speed up the process–which will come in handy when the kids are anxious to open gifts or you’re not in the mood to crack eggs. Add a special ingredient in this eggnog recipe.

Christmas Tree Pancakes

Pancakes are one of the easiest and most desirable dishes to make on Christmas morning. Like the French toast, you can get the batter ready the night before. Pancakes are very easy to cut and shape into Christmas shapes that are perfect for your morning breakfast. It’s just a matter of cutting them up, stacking them up and adding the right toppings to decorate. Interested? Check out this recipe for Christmas tree pancake stacks.

Brushed Maple Bacon Strips

The best gift on Christmas morning isn’t always waiting under the tree. Sometimes it’s sizzling in the kitchen brushed with maple syrup and sprinkled with salt and pepper. Don’t overthink it. The holidays are still in full swing and New Year’s resolutions are for next week. Indulge with this amazing maple-pepper bacon recipe.

Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Making the batter for French toast or pancakes will save you some time on Christmas morning, but it leaves a few cooking steps on the table. If you’re looking for a meal you can completely prepare the night before so you can throw it in the oven early in the morning, get out your baker or casserole dish. Great for big families, full hearty recipes like this sausage breakfast casserole are crowd-pleasers that will fill stomachs and bring smiles to everyone sitting around the table. It’s a great recipe to recreate for kids during their holiday break.

Holiday Recipe Ideas for National Chocolate Day

Posted on October 26, 2016 by LTD Commodities

It’s pretty easy to find an excuse to enjoy our favorite chocolate treat. How easy? Well, National Chocolate Day is on Friday, October 28th. That easy. There’s no better time to try out a new chocolate recipe. Leave the Halloween candy to the kids and bake one of these amazing chocolate recipes for yourself right now.

Charming Chocolate Fudge
You know it’s holiday season when you start craving chocolate fudge. While there’s really no reason why a delicious creation like fudge has to be held ransom by a specific part of the calendar, the holidays are close enough. This chocolate fudge recipe simplifies the process and provides helpful additional tips for cleanup.

Rich Chocolate Cookies
The chocolate chip cookie is king. The sugar cookies sneak onto the throne during the holidays. Something as simple as the chocolate cookie is often overlooked, but with the right recipe, like this one from The Food Network, you’ll never leave them off the holiday menu. Get cooking with these LTD kitchen cookie helpers.

Simple Chocolate Brownies
Ahh, the brownie. Another simple recipe everyone seems to have lying around. It’s probably hard to think of anything you’d want to do to your brownie recipe to make it better. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your brownies for the holidays or just feel like baking with the kids, these brownie ideas are destined to please.

Easy Chocolate Pudding
If you’ve been taking your chances with store-bought chocolate pudding kits, you might be missing out on a delicious addition to your monthly dessert menu. Putting a homemade spin on your chocolate pudding isn’t just fun to taste-test the difference. Impress holiday guests with this great recipe from The Pioneer Woman.

Taste of Fall: Oktoberfest Traditions & Apple Cider Tips

Posted on October 17, 2016 by LTD Commodities

With most of us busy preparing for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole season of autumn activities to enjoy. From exploring the local orchard with the family to enjoying your local Oktoberfest, now is the time to delight in the cool, crisp weather and rediscover the unique taste of fall.

Oktoberfest Traditions and Useful Tips for Newcomers
Oktoberfest has become very popular in the United States. Festivals large and small have been celebrating the German tradition for many years. Most of these festivals have taken on lives of their own. You don’t have to fly all the way to Munich to experience an authentic Oktoberfest. Learn about the original event, traditions and get the tips you need to walk the grounds like an expert with these Oktoberfest facts, figures and advice.

Apple Picking: A Beginner’s Guide to Homemade Cider
There’s a huge difference between the apple cider you get from the store and the handcrafted version you can make in your own home. Despite what many people believe, it’s not that difficult to make a high-quality apple cider that tastes even better than any store brand. All you need to learn are the simple techniques to begin a fun tradition during the harvest season, some basic recipes you can tweak with your own touches.

A Brief History of Oktoberfest
Fall is packed with festivals and celebrations all around the world. While Halloween is the holiday kids look forward to, Oktoberfest is one for the adults. Beer comes to mind when we think of Oktoberfest, but it’s about much more than just large steins full of suds. If you’re attending your local Oktoberfest this year and want to learn a little more about its rich history, check out this brief summary of how it started and spread worldwide.

Tips on Grilling Salmon and Swordfish

Posted on June 8, 2016 by LTD Commodities

Fish is packed with lean protein, nutrients and all those coveted, brain-boosting omega-3 fatty acids, but a recent study by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) discovered that up to 90 percent of Americans aren’t eating nearly enough seafood to meet the recommended two servings per week. It’s not that we don’t enjoy the taste of fish or shrimp, and dishes like crab cakes are almost always included in favorite food debates. Cooking fish only seems difficult. Get fired up about grilling salmon, swordfish and snapper with these tips.

Things to Look For in the Store
For ultimate freshness, it’s important to cook fish the same day you bring it home from the store. Don’t mess around with anything but the prepared cuts of salmon steaks or swordfish fillets if you’re new to buying, and if possible, aim to get some cuts with skin on. You might be expecting fish to have a strong fishy smell, but a quality cut will not emit a strong scent or foul odor. It will also pass the eye test in terms of cleanliness. Try to make sure each piece you buy is firm, not flimsy, and be on the lookout for unusual discoloration or spots.

Problematic Pin Bones
It’s easier to ask the fishmonger or supermarket to remove things like pin bones from your fillets, but you can also do it at home. You’ll be able to see and feel the bones in the fillet, but getting them out with your hands can be tricky. Needle nose pliers and larger tweezers work great for removing pin bones. Always clean tools before putting them to use in the kitchen. Simply feel around the fish to locate the bones, knead into the flesh to reveal a pin bone head, grab it gently with the pliers to avoid snapping it into pieces and pull carefully.

Seasoning, Salty or Spicy
While some prefer the fresh taste of fish without seasoning, many of us would agree that a little seasoning is better than none. You don’t want spices overpowering the flavor of fish, so when applying, be sure to keep it light and even. A combination of salt and pepper mixed with lemon juice or melted butter are a few common favorites among expert grillers, and many have been known to enjoy fish with the flavor of dill, garlic, chives or even pineapple juice. Remember that the flavor of fish is delicate, so take it easy when you’re prepping.

On the Grill
Grill masters know the importance of preheating the grill. For fish, if you’re placing it directly on the grates, make sure you clean thoroughly and oil generously while preheating. Oil once more before throwing your fish on. If you’ve left the skin on your fillets, you can put them on the grill skin-first for a crispy flavor. Many make the mistake when placing fish directly on grill grates to try and flip before the fish is ready. This often leads to mangling the fish with your spatula. When the fillet is more than halfway done, the fish will almost detach from the grates naturally. You only need to flip once. It’s a short cooking time. Total: 5-10 minutes.

Fall Warm-Up: Fall Casseroles to Try This Week

Posted on October 26, 2015 by Rachel Roszmann

Now that it’s fall, we’re trading in our summer salads for meals to warm us up! One of our favorite things to make when it’s cold is a good casserole. Not only do they warm us up, but they also carry the convenience of a one-dish meal! That translates to easy to make and easy to clean up! Here are 5 fall casseroles to try this week.

What Would John Wayne Eat? According to Cook’sInfo.com, actor John Wayne submitted (at least part) of a recipe for a casserole to Cooking with Love from Cara and Her Friends in the late 1970s. The recipe has since been passed on and modified by cooks across the country, but we liked the one Amanda’s Cookin put together. It’s ground beef mixed up with all the right ingredients for a delicious meal. With jalapeños and taco seasoning, it’s got a kick, but the cheese and sour cream cool it down enough to savor it.

Comfort Chicken Chicken is probably the best base for a good casserole — add dressing to it and you have your one-dish meal! This chicken and dressing casserole comes from South Your Mouth. It’s pretty easy to make — boil the chicken, saute the onions, toss in some cornbread dressing and bake! It’s more complicated than that and there are a few more ingredients, but the process is pretty simple. It’s the perfect weeknight meal the whole family can look forward to and you won’t wear yourself out putting it together. reuben-casserole

Sandwich Casserole Bet you’ve never thought to make a casserole out of your favorite sandwich! Well, Winner Dinners did the thinking for you with this recipe for baked reuben casserole. It’s all of the ingredients of the classic sandwich chopped up, layered and baked for a very heavy one-dish meal. Winner, indeed.

Since We Already Crossed That Line… Here’s a meatball sub in the form of a casserole! Bake at Midnite came up with this one. It’s pretty easy to put together if you like making meatballs. You just put them in a baking dish, line the edges with garlic bread and top with sauce and cheese. It’s all the magic of a meatball sub without getting too sloppy to eat in front of other people. That means you can lose all the extra napkins and eat your sandwich with a fork and knife like a civilized human being.

Something Borrowed, Something Bleu Chicken cordon bleu is Swiss in origin, but it’s been a favorite in the United States for at least a half-century. It’s ham and cheese wrapped in chicken to create a delightful surprise with each bite. Gonna Want Seconds took this idea and ran with it — she chopped the ham, cheese and chicken into bits and tossed in noodles to round it out as a one-dish meal. If you don’t want to go to the trouble of making the Swiss classic, the Americanized version is just as good and easier to make.

As much as we hate to say goodbye to warm weather, LTD is excited to get to all the things that make fall and winter fun! From casseroles to warm up our meals on cold nights to holiday gifts to make the snowy days brighter, look to LTD to make any season your favorite season.

Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Treats

Posted on March 16, 2015 by Rachel Roszmann

Tomorrow is St. Patrick’s Day! If you don’t have everything together, don’t worry — there are shortcuts for everything, even a St. Patrick’s Day celebration. Since we like to keep things simple at LTD, easy St. Patrick’s Day treats is what we’re working on today. Here are 5 Last Minute St. Patrick’s Day Treats to try.

Shamrock Rice Krispy Treats I Heart Naptime won us over with these Shamrock Rice Krispy Treats! It doesn’t get much easier than melting butter and marshmallows to mix with green food coloring. If you’re doing this last minute, the hardest part about it might be finding a shamrock-shaped cookie cutter.

Green Velvet Cupcakes If you made red velvet cupcakes for Valentine’s Day, making green velvet cupcakes for St. Patrick’s Day should be a snap! Christi at Love From the Oven takes you through the cupcakes, step-by-step. The only obstacle you might encounter is deciding if you want to make a cake, cupcakes or mini-cupcakes!

Shamrock Cupcakes How cute are these shamrock cupcakes? Leigh is behind Easy Cake Decorating — and she certainly makes these cupcakes look easy AND adorable. Apparently, all it takes to make these sweet treats is a bag of marbles! And, of course, you need a steady hand, but they’ll impress anyone as long as they taste as great as they look.

Leprechaun Bark Paint Chips & Frosting really knows how to keep St. Patrick’s Day simple, delicious and clever! All you have to do is melt chocolate — it practically makes itself. The only thing hard about making leprechaun bark is waiting for it to cool before breaking off a piece to eat!

Mint Crinkle Cookies Jen’s Favorite Cookies for March is the mint crinkle — and boy are they easy! They don’t require any decorating to be cute — with just 6 ingredients and 20 minutes, you’ll be ready for St. Patrick’s Day with your new favorite green treats!

We have ideas and products for every holiday at LTD! Check back for Easter and Mother’s Day for more great items and inspiration to plan for your holiday.

Sandwich Day: 4 Sandwich Ideas for Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey

Posted on November 3, 2014 by Rachel Roszmann

November 3rd is National Sandwich Day — it is a day to honor one of America’s favorite meals. Everyone loves a good sandwich, but since it’s also November, we thought we’d give you a few sandwich ideas for leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Here are 4 fun turkey sandwiches to get you excited about Thanksgiving.

For leftover Thanksgiving turkey, your slow cooker will be your best friend. Our Gooseberry Patch Slow-Cooker cookbooks have a few ideas you can adapt to make your leftovers exciting.

Turkey French Dip

1 onion sliced
1 cup chicken broth
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp dried thyme
1 tsp garlic powder
1 bay leaf
3 to 4 whole peppercorns
16 slices of Provolone cheese (or mild white cheese of your choice)
8 French rolls, split

Place the sliced onion on the bottom of the slow-cooker. Add turkey followed by rosemary, thyme, garlic powder, bay leaf, peppercorns, and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for one hour. Discard the bay leaf. Using tongs, place the turkey and onions on the rolls. Top the turkey with cheese. Use the leftover broth for dipping.

Southern Barbecue

1 ½ lbs roasted turkey, shredded
1 18 oz bottle of barbecue sauce
2 TB Worcestershire sauce
1 TB hot pepper sauce
¼ cup packed brown sugar
½ tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
8 hamburger buns, split

Place all of the ingredients in the slow-cooker. Cover and cook on low for one hour. Serve on buns with or without cole slaw.

Midwest Turkey Sandwich

3 lbs roasted turkey, shredded
2 cans cream of mushroom soup (can be substituted with cream of celery or chicken soup)
Salt and Pepper to taste
24 sandwich buns
Pickle slices

Place the turkey in the slow cooker. Top with cream of mushroom soup. Cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir well. Spoon turkey on to buns and garnish with pickle slices.

EZ Pocket Turkey Sandwich

Ingredients:

2 cans refrigerator biscuit dough
Leftover Thanksgiving Turkey
Leftover Thanksgiving sides

Preheat oven to 350°F.

Roll out one can refrigerator biscuit dough together to fit and fit into EZ Pocket pans. Fill the pockets with turkey, stuffing, green bean casserole and gravy — or whatever leftovers you want to add. Roll out second can of dough and top the filling. Seal the edges of the dough with the crimper. Bake for 20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown.

At LTD Commodities, we’re excited about Sandwich Day, but we’re more excited about the holidays! Whether you need kitchen gadgets to put together the perfect Thanksgiving dinner or you’re looking for Christmas gifts, we have everything you need at the best prices.

Everyday Inspiration from LTD

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