Blog

How special any occasion is depends on what you make of it, and what food you make for it! We thought it may be handy to have a whole year’s worth of special occasion recipe ideas, all in one place. Try a new recipe for these special occasions. 

Easy Thanksgiving recipes we love

Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday for getting together and relaxing with loved ones — if you don’t have to spend all your time in the kitchen. If you’re having people over and you’re looking to give yourself a bit of break this Thanksgiving, the Panoramic Properties blog team is here to help. Take it easy this Thanksgiving with the help of these simple-to-prepare recipes that we love.

Easy Turkey

The thought of cooking a turkey can be intimidating. This Easy Roasted Turkey recipe will take you through it, step by step, so you never need to be intimidated again. It only takes about 20 minutes of preparation and about three and half hours of cooking time (for a 12-pound bird). Make sure you save the drippings in the roasting pan to make basic gravy. 

Basic Gravy

Basic can be defined as: relating to the easiest part of something, or, relating to the most important part of something. This Basic Gravy is both easy and important. You can have Thanksgiving without gravy, but why? Turkey with no gravy? Mashed potatoes without the gravy? Gravy is what brings the whole meal together. It can be ready-to-serve in less than half an hour with about 20 minutes of hands-on cooking time.

Perfect Mashed Potatoes

Everyone loves Mashed Potatoes when they are done right. They need to be light, fluffy and smooth. This recipe will give you the knowledge and techniques that you need to make mashed potatoes perfectly and easily, every time. Plan for about 20 minutes of prep time and another 20 minutes to cook.

Easy Green Beans

Green Beans are delicious and can be ready in 15 minutes. All you need to do is boil or steam a handful of them until tender and toss them in some olive oil, add a little lemon zest and salt and pepper. They are perfect for brightening up a holiday meal and have a satisfying crunch that even people who hate vegetables will love.

Super Easy Pumpkin Pie

A little dessert after a holiday meal is something to be thankful for. Whipping up this Super Easy Pumpkin Pie is dead simple. If you can stir cream into coffee, you have the skill set needed to make this delicious pie. It only takes 5 minutes to prepare and 55 minutes in the oven. Top it with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream and your Thanksgiving is complete.

Healthy Holiday Cookies

It’s easy to get carried away with cookies and treats during the holidays. By the time New Year’s hits, some of us might start to feel like we have Santa’s physique. Baking at home is a cost-effective way to ensure that you’ve prepped for the holiday season. Homemade cookies make great gifts and are perfect to have on hand during the holidays.

Skinny Gingerbread Cookies

Skinny Gingerbread Cookies cookies are a wonderful low-fat Christmas tradition. Ginger is a digestive aid and the cookies are a great alternative for those who are watching their waistlines.

Nutty Holiday Logs 

These Nutty Holiday Logs feature dark chocolate, walnuts and orange zest. Together, it makes an amazing treat and a great addition to any holiday platter. This recipe tastes indulgent but is a low-carb and diabetic-friendly offering. These nutty holiday logs prove that good taste can be combined with good health.

Maple-Pecan Rice Crispy Treats

For those on a vegan, gluten-free or dairy-free diet, consider these Maple-Pecan Rice Crispy Treats. The squares are a lighter version of pecan pie combined with the classic rice crispy treat. The recipe from Tasty Eats at Home Blog is a perfect no-bake treat that doesn’t take much time.

4 easy chocolate recipes to try this Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day can be romantic, or stressful. When it comes down to it, all your Valentine really wants is to feel appreciated and to know that you were thinking of them. An easy and effective way to show someone that you care is to put a little time and effort in. It doesn’t have to be a lot of time and effort. 

Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cookies

Chocolate dipped strawberries are a classic Valentine’s Day treat. If you’ve decided to show someone you care by putting in a little time and making dessert yourself, you may find that fresh strawberries aren’t easy to find in February. Don’t lose heart, make these heart-shaped Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Cookies instead! They are flavoured with strawberry jam, which is always easy to find, and the cookies are easy to make.

Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars

Use your hands to eat dessert this Valentine’s Day with these Red Velvet Cheesecake Bars. Just saying “red velvet” sounds romantic. The luxurious cheesecake filling is spread on top of a rich, chocolate crust. Best of all, this recipe only requires about 10 minutes of hands-on time and less than an hour in the oven.

Chocolate Cake Hearts

If you are not a seasoned baker, but want to show your sweetheart how much you love them, make them these Chocolate Cake Hearts. They are simply chocolate sheet cake shaped into hearts. It’s as easy as baking can be. This Valentine’s Day, follow the K.I.S.S. rule — Keep It Simple Sweetheart!

Homemade Chocolates

Instead of showing up with a store bought box of chocolates (that you obviously picked up on the way home), why not make your own Homemade Chocolates this year? Don’t be intimidated. Making your own chocolates is surprisingly easy and after all, it’s the thought that counts. What your sweetheart will be thinking is, “these are delicious”.

Father’s Day Recipes To Make With Kids

When Father’s Day rolls around, we’ve got your back! Celebrate Father’s Day with these delicious recipes that you can make with your kids.

Egg In A Toast

This Egg In A Toast recipe is super simple to make and easy enough to make with your kids. You only need 1 slice of bread of your choice, 1 egg and a bit of butter. Start by buttering both sides of the bread. Cut out a heart shape in the middle of it. Heat the frying pan and once it’s hot, place the toast in the pan and let it brown on both sides. Break the egg and drop it in the hole. Let it cook for a few minutes and serve! There’s no doubt that dad will love this breakfast!

Oven Roasted Potato Wedges

Who doesn’t love potato wedges? If dad doesn’t, he definitely will after he tries these Oven Roasted Potato Wedges with Avocado Wasabi Aioli. While you heat the oven to 425 F degrees, cut 10 Yukon gold potatoes into wedges. In a separate bowl, mix paprika, chipotle powder, dried cilantro, salt and pepper and sprinkle the mixture on top of the potatoes along with some olive oil. Place the potatoes on a baking sheet in a pan and bake for 1 hour. While you wait for the potatoes to cool, start making the avocado wasabi aioli. In a blender, add mayo, avocado, wasabi, cilantro, smoked paprika, garlic powder, lime juice, salt, and pepper and mix until smooth. Serve it with the potatoes and eat the dish as an appetizer or as a side dish for chicken or steak.

Fish Tacos

Make dad’s day extra special with these yummy Fish Tacos. They are tasty and only take 20 minutes to make. You can start by making the salsa while the oven heats up. In a blender, combine cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, two tablespoons of water and season with salt and pepper. Blend everything until smooth and set aside. Now take 4 tilapia fillets and place them on a rimmed baking sheet and season with coriander, salt and pepper. Bake the fish for 5 minutes and when it’s ready, break it up into chunks. For the radish salad, you’ll need to mix lime juice, olive oil, radishes, scallions, jalapeno, salt and pepper. Now you’re ready to start making the tacos! Fill the tortillas with tilapia, radish salad and top with salsa. Yum!

Mini BLT

These Mini BLT sandwiches are adorable and really fun to make with your kids for Father’s Day. You’re going to need the basics: bacon, lettuce, tomato, bread and mayo, plus a round cookie cutter. The first step is to cut your bacon into smaller strips and cook it, either on the stove or in the oven. Cut the tomatoes to whatever thickness you like, but for this recipe, thinner is better. Next, use a cookie cutter to cut out circles of the lettuce and do the same for the bread. To assemble the BLT sandwich, spread a thin layer of mayo on a piece of bread and top with bacon, lettuce, tomato and more bacon. Use a cocktail fork or toothpick to secure everything. We guarantee your dad will love it and your kids will enjoy making it.

No-heat recipes for summer

Just because you can’t stand the heat doesn’t mean you have to get out of the kitchen. Here are some excellent no-heat recipes for summer. 

Easy Middle Eastern Salad (Makes 4 servings)

• 1-1/2 diced cucumbers
• 1-1/2 cups diced tomatoes
• 1/4 red onion, sliced
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh mint leaves
• 1-1/2 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove minced garlic
• Salt and pepper to taste

In a large bowl, add diced tomatoes, cucumbers and red onion, finely chop the mint leaves and mix in with remaining ingredients. For an extra kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper. Out of seasonings? Hasty Market is just a seven-minute walk from our Sherobee apartments (2200 Sherobee Road) and is sure to have what you need.

Tuna Pesto Wrap (Makes 1 serving)

• 1 5 oz. can tuna in water, drained
• 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 1 tablespoon basil pesto
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 2 leaves leaf lettuce
• 1 slice provolone cheese, cut in half
• 1 10” whole wheat flour tortilla
• Dash of salt and pepper

In a bowl, gently mix tuna, mayonnaise, pesto, lemon juice and pepper until well mixed. Spread tuna mixture on tortilla; top with lettuce and cheese. Fold the bottom of your tortilla up about 2 inches to enclose the filling then roll the tortilla tightly into a solid wrap.

3-Ingredient No-Bake Cereal Bars (Makes 24 servings)

• 3 tablespoons butter or margarine
• 6 cups of miniature marshmallows
• 5 cups oat cereal such as Cheerios or your favourite brand

For this recipe from BettyCrocker.com, coat the bottom and sides of a 13×9-inch pan with oil or cooking spray. Microwave marshmallows and butter in an uncovered bowl on high for about 2 minutes, stirring after each minute until the mixture is silky. Remove from the microwave and immediately stir in cereal until uniformly covered. Pour cereal mixture into pan and press mixture down until even. Let cool for at least 10 minutes. Cut cereal mixture into 6 by 4 rows to make 24 bars and store in a loosely-covered container.

Panoramic Properties hopes these recipes ideas help you make any occasion more special. 

To find your next rental home with Panoramic Properties please visit our website.