The kitchen is the heart of the home. It's where families and friends gather to cook holiday meals and create treasured memories. However, cooking can also be a daunting task, especially for those hosting large gatherings. This month, we're talking with Chad, Sales Manager and Appliance Expert at Judd & Black, about how the right appliances can make holiday cooking more manageable. Also, look for a few tips and tricks for creating classic and creative main dishes for the holidays.
Tips & Tricks For Creating Holiday Culinary Masterpieces
Holiday meals are known for traditional main dishes, such as the iconic turkey, succulent ham, and comforting pot roast. Here's a tip for the next holiday meal: Try smoking the main dishes in a Weber® Grills® Smokey Mountain Cooker.™ Smokers impart a rich, deep flavor that elevates traditional meats to new heights. Side dishes like smoked mac and cheese or green beans are a great addition to the table, too.
Venturing Beyond Traditional Fare
Another tip for the holidays is to throw out the traditional menu and go on a culinary adventure! International main dishes can offer a refreshing twist to the holiday menu. Enchiladas, bursting with vibrant Mexican flavors, are a crowd-pleaser. Lasagna, with all those layers of pasta, cheese, and rich tomato sauce, is a comforting and satisfying option. Include foods with meat alternatives or that are veggie-forward to provide options for all your guests.
The last tip is: Remember that you don't have to cook everything on the day of your meal. A lot of dishes freeze well and can be made ahead of time and reheated the day of. That can make the holiday less stressful.
Can the right kitchen appliances really make holiday cooking easier?
Chad: The right kitchen appliances can transform holiday cooking from a stressful endeavor into a seamless and enjoyable experience. Here are some examples.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators play a crucial role in holiday meal preparation. After all, those made-from-scratch recipes passed down from Grandma Beth or Aunt Ruby that get made around the holidays mean a lot more ingredients to store. There are usually leftovers, too. If you run out of space quickly every year, it may be time to upgrade to a larger capacity fridge. There are lots of brands and refrigerator models to choose from in our Judd and Black showrooms.
The good news is brands have been introducing innovative new models that are bigger on the inside but have the same footprint. For example, the LG Counter-Depth MAX™ French Door Refrigerator (LRFOC2606S) maximizes space so you can store everything from a large turkey platter to an assortment of side dishes and desserts. Adjustable shelves accommodate containers of all shapes and sizes so that every item has a spot. This refrigerator, in particular, is a counter-depth unit with 26 cubic feet inside but doesn't take up more room in the kitchen.
Double Ovens and Convection Ovens
Double wall ovens are the great multi-taskers for holiday cooking. With two ovens, you can make multiple dishes at different temperatures at once. You'll save time and effort and know every dish is cooked to perfection and at the correct settings for the recipe. Holiday baking will be a breeze because you can bake up to 6 trays of cookies at once in double ovens.
In a convection oven, there is a fan built into the back that circulates hot air around the food and throughout the oven. Convection settings revolutionize the cooking process and result in faster cooking times. You'll spend less time cooking and more enjoying your family and get foods with a crunchy exterior and juicy interior.
Air Fryers
Air fryers are one of the hottest new innovations in appliances in the last few years. They're easy to use and produce exceptional results, offering a guilt-free approach to holiday indulgence. Like a convection oven, air fryers are a game-changer for preparing healthy and delicious dishes without the need for added oil. From roasted vegetables to foods you would have deep fried, air fryers produce flavorful dishes without compromising on health. There are countertop units and now a number of full-size ovens with built-in air fryer settings, too.
Dishwashers
The dishwasher is an essential appliance year-round but is a real workhorse when holiday cooking creates a big mess in the kitchen. To tackle the post-holiday meal clean-up with ease, check out the KitchenAid 24" Built-In Dishwasher with FreeFlex™ (KDTM604KPS.) This model has an innovative third rack that provides additional space for large serving platters, glasses, bowls, or serving utensils, and an advanced drying system ensures that every item emerges sparkling clean. You can't go wrong with KitchenAid; it's a brand renowned for superior cleaning performance.
Why does working with an Appliance Expert matter?
Chad: At Judd & Black, we think about how the appliances you purchase will make your daily life easier and help make your holidays better. We put a lot of thought into the customer experience once the appliances are home.
The holidays are a time for creating memories, and with the help of these appliances, those memories will be filled with warmth, laughter, and the tantalizing aromas of a perfectly cooked holiday feast. Happy Holidays, everyone!