Tiffany Hughes

Holiday Meal as Usual – Almost!

BY TIFFANY HUGHES

Considering the news reports about possible food shortages, your holiday meal might not include everything it has in the past. However, with a little creativity, your family will never notice.

Begin by planning your menu as early as possible, and list the ingredients you’ll need for each dish. Find out what days the stores get deliveries, so you can make sure to shop that day. Don’t delay in getting to the store for sought-after items such as turkeys, ham and even canned vegetables.

No matter if you serve your family and friends turkey with all the fixings, or pigs in a blanket with candy for dessert, enjoy the fact that you can celebrate together. The meal is just the bonus.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy Kwanzaa everyone!

Speaking of turkey, if you can’t find one, use a chicken instead. It can be prepared in much the same way as a turkey.

Slow Cooker Roast Chicken or Turkey

• 1 whole chicken, thawed and patted dry • 1 stick butter, softened • 1 stick butter, melted • 3-4 carrots, peeled • 1 large onion, peeled and quartered • 2 red or golden delicious apples, cored and quartered • 1 sprig fresh rosemary • 1 tablespoon seasoned salt, or more to taste • 1 cup chicken stock

In a small bowl, combine softened butter with 1 tablespoon seasoned salt. Mix well, and set aside. Remove any pieces inside the chicken, and trim excess skin. Using your hands, smear seasoned butter under the skin, across the breast. Sprinkle the top of the skin with additional seasoned salt to taste. Fill the cavity with the onion and apple pieces, topped with the sprig of rosemary. Place carrots in the bottom of the slow cooker, and the chicken on top. Dredge a couple pieces of cheesecloth in melted butter, and spread over the chicken breast, overlapping as needed. Place leftover vegetables in the slow cooker, and pour the broth around the chicken. Cover and cook on low for at least 8 hours, or 5-6 hours on high, or until the meat falls off the bone. Remove the cheesecloth before cutting.

Pork loin is another turkey replacement, and those leftovers also are great on a sandwich with cranberry sauce and Dijon mustard. To make pork loin, preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the meat in a casserole dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Rub with your favorite chai tea mix. (An alternative coating for the pork is to melt canned cranberry sauce with 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard and 2 teaspoons Worcestershire. Whisk until smooth, and brush on the pork.) Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then an additional 30 minutes uncovered.

Vegetables can be the star of the meal, or a great complement. If you need canned green beans, peas or corn but grocery store shelves are empty, check the frozen section. Additionally, chain drug stores, and dollar stores, have canned vegetable options.

If you find the ingredients you need, but not enough to feed the crowd you expect, prepare lots of appetizers. A simple block of cream cheese topped with your favorite jelly, marmalade or pumpkin or apple butter pairs great with crackers. You can make a quick dip with sour cream or Greek yogurt and your favorite dry seasoning (think Italian, ranch, even taco). Once combined, the dip needs to sit for only 30 minutes before serving. Pimiento cheese is another great appetizer that uses ingredients that are easy to find. Plus, it’s fantastic on leftover chicken or turkey sandwiches!

Best Ever Pimiento Cheese

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar • 1 cup shredded Swiss or colby jack • 3 tablespoons Greek yogurt • 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or more for desired consistency) • 4-ounce jar diced pimientos • dash ground red pepper • dash garlic powder

In a medium bowl, combine the first five ingredients with a hand mixer. If too thick, add mayonnaise. Add pimientos with juice, and mix in ground red pepper and garlic.

There are a variety of beans, canned or dried, that can enhance your meal. Easy baked beans can be made with four cans of your favorite legumes.

Four Bean Bake

• 1 can pork and beans • 1 can pinto beans • 1 can dark red kidney beans • 1 can lima beans • ¾ cup ketchup • ½ cup brown sugar • 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce • 2 tablespoons yellow mustard • 1 teaspoon chili powder • 1 small onion, diced

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients in a large bowl, then transfer to a 9-by-13-inch dish coated with cooking spray. Bake for 1 hour.

Potatoes are a holiday staple that are easy to find. Mashed potatoes can be made with a 2½-pound bag of potatoes. Cut them into pieces, place in a stock pot, and cover with water. Add chicken broth or dried bouillon to the water. Boil until potatoes are fork tender. Place potatoes in a large bowl, salt to taste, then mash. Add ½ stick butter, ¾ cup heavy cream or buttermilk and 1 tablespoon dried ranch seasoning. Mix with a spoon or hand mixer until desired consistency is achieved.

Dessert

No holiday meal is complete without dessert. Fortunately, there are many options, even if some ingredients are hard to source. You can make cakes from scratch, but it is simpler to make one that uses cake mix in the recipe.

German Chocolate Upside Down Cake

• 1 ½ cups chopped pecans • 1 cup shredded coconut • 1 box German chocolate cake mix (and ingredients needed to make) • 1 cup chocolate chips • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened • 16 ounces confectioner’s sugar • 1 stick butter, softened

Grease and flour a 9-by-13-inch pan. Spread nuts and coconut across the bottom of the pan. In a separate bowl, prepare the cake according to package directions, stir in chocolate chips and spread batter over nuts and coconut. In a different bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar and butter with a hand mixer until soft, then spoon over batter. Bake at 300 degrees for 1 hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve by flipping slices over so that nuts and coconut are on top.

Tiffany Hughes is an Acworth resident and works for the Booth Western Art Museum. Contact her at creativecook11@yahoo.com.

Ready to Make Your Holidays Sparkle!

No matter the item - tennis bracelets, pre-owned Rolex watches or engagement rings, to name a few - Ibrahim Ehican, owner of River Fine Jewelry in Canton, is ready to help customers check off items on their Christmas shopping lists this year.

And with discounts of up to 50% on all merchandise leading up to Christmas Eve, there’s bound to be something to fit everyone’s budget.

If you don’t see something you like in the cases, Ibrahim and his staff offer custom design work, all done onsite. Customers can choose from a large collection of loose gems and collaborate on the design.

The jewelry tradition in Ibrahim’s family started in Turkey by his grandfather. Ibrahim’s wife, Beyhan, and his sister, Ece, also are part of the three-generation family business. Their strong Christian faith and family ties, as well as 15 years of experience, guide them in their dedication to quality customer service.

“People who were here on day one are still our customers. We are looking for our clients to be happy and become repeat customers,” Ece said. “We would never sell our customers anything unless we are 100 percent sure they will be pleased.”

River Fine Jewelry is a fullservice store that includes repairs, appraisals, cleanings, personalized

678-880-0400 | RiverFineJewelry.com 1431 Riverstone Parkway, Canton

engraving and custom-designed jewelry. The store also buys coins, diamonds, gold, and Rolex watches at the most competitive market prices.

The inventory is extensive, with gifts available at all price points. Luxury watches in stock include Citizen, Caravelle, Pulsar, Seiko and Bulova, along with gold watches and pre-owned Rolexes for men and women.

You won’t encounter high-pressure sales people, only outstanding customer service from people who bring generations of knowledge and expertise to the jewelry counter. The personal touch you’ll receive from this small, family-owned business will keep you coming back − long after the holidays are over.

Holiday Hours

Monday-Saturdays

10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Dec. 1-14 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. Dec. 1-14

Sundays

Noon - 7 p.m. Dec. 5-19

PHOTO BY BECKSHOT

Custom designed jewelry | Appraisals Engravings | Jewelry/watch repair

We buy gold, silver, diamonds and Rolex watches.

NEWLY REMODELED SHOWROOM

Lend a Helping Hand

As Christmas approaches, the needs among local nonprofits have increased as the directors and volunteers are working to make sure everyone has a great holiday season. Here’s a list of organizations devoted to helping others. Please do what you can to pitch in, whether it’s donating money or time. While you’re at it, consider bringing a basket of homemade goodies, fresh fruit or colorful flowers to show your appreciation for the staff and volunteers at these nonprofits.

Adopt a Senior 2021

www.cherokeega.com

Cherokee County Senior Services is collecting the following gift items for local seniors: a bath towel set, a $25 grocery gift card and a book of stamps. Please place gifts in a holiday gift bag (no wrapping please). Gift dropoff is Mondays-Fridays through Dec. 6, and a special Saturday drop-off is 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 4. Gifts may be taken to the Cherokee County Senior Center, 1001 Univeter Road, in Canton. For more information, call 770-345-3025 or email aomicham@cherokeega.com.

Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program

https://bit.ly/3lkJMlV

Cherokee County Homeless Veterans Program is looking for candidates for the Holiday Adopt A Vet program. The focus is to help low-income veterans, those in senior living facilities, as well as homeless veterans this holiday season. If you know of a veteran family in need, or you want to help volunteer for this program, contact Betty Lewis of the American Legion Post 45 Auxiliary, at 770-318-6451.

Items are needed for the program’s annual drives and events, such as 10 bicycles for boys or girls for the Adopt A Vet program. Donors also can drop off gently used winter coats for the annual coat drive, Christmas cards for senior veterans (they do not have to be personalized), toiletries, flashlights with batteries, hand warmers, good gloves, emergency blankets and first aid kits to American Legion Post 45, 160 McClure St., in Canton. To schedule a donation drop-off, contact Jim Lindenmayer at 678983-7590 or jlindenmayer80@gmail.com. Cherokee Family Violence Center

www.cfvc.org/donate-now

Cherokee Family Violence Center has a transitional housing complex, with 72 apartments and an emergency shelter that accommodates 12 women and children affected by domestic violence. The Christmas wish list includes weekly meals through the holidays for shelter residents, canned items (like soups, meats, fruits and vegetables) and over-the-counter medications for cold and flu season. Additional donation items include unscented laundry pods, dishwashing pods, paper towels, toilet paper, paper plates, plastic utensils, new pillows, white linens for twin and full beds, white towel sets (washcloths, bath towels and hand towels) and new undergarments for all ages. Contact 770-479-1804, Ext. 101, or volunteers@cfvc.org.

Cherokee Recreation & Parks Agency

www.playcherokee.org

Items to support seniors in need are being collected through Dec. 15. Donors can bring a new warm blanket and new slipper socks to the recreation center at 7545 Main St., Building 200, in Woodstock. For more information, contact Bailey Johnson at bbjohnson@cherokeega.com or 770-924-7768.

The Children’s Haven

www.CherokeeChildrensHaven.org

This nonprofit promotes the health and happiness of children in Cherokee affected by abuse. The group works to ensure their safety, advocate on their behalf and respond to meet their needs. Holiday needs include Christmas/holiday/winterthemed pajamas (sizes newborn to teen), as well as gift cards for Target, Kohl’s, Best Buy and similar stores. Volunteers always are needed to assist in the Caregiver’s Closet. Items can be dropped off at 1083 Marietta Highway in Canton. 770-345-3274.

Encompass Ministries

https://encompassministriesinc.org

Encompass Ministries and its food pantry offer year-round food and stability, as well as life-skills training assistance. Special holiday needs: donations of turkeys, ham and nonperishable food items. A list of the top 10 food needs is kept up-to-date on the website. Tax-deductible donations also are accepted on the website. For more details, call 770-591-4730.

Forever Fed www.foreverfed.org

Forever Fed hosts drive-through food pantries and clothes closets in outdoor settings every month. Donations of non-perishable foods always are needed. For a complete list of events and volunteer opportunities, check the website. If your organization would like to support us with a food drive or coat and blanket drive, contact susan@ foreverfed.org or call 678-883-3314.

Goshen Valley Foundation

www.goshenvalley.org

Goshen Valley Boys Ranch attempts to provide a memorable Christmas experience for foster children, with the community’s help. This includes building traditions, talking about the true meaning of Christmas, as well as fulfilling young people’s wants and needs through gift giving, to teach them that they are loved. With 42 kids to purchase gifts for, Goshen Valley relies on the generosity of the community to fulfill these wishes. A list of gifts has been compiled on the Amazon website through a charity wishlist. For details, visit http://goshenwishlist.org, email Executive Director Stacy Cooper at scooper@goshenvalley. org or call 770-796-4618 for a clickable link to view gifts the boys have requested.

MUST Ministries — Cherokee

www.mustministries.org

MUST Ministries long has been a source of help and hope to those living in poverty in Cherokee County. Christmas toy donations can be dropped off 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m, by Dec. 2, or as soon as possible, at MUST’s Canton location at 111 Brown Industrial Parkway. Call Maurice Speaks at 770-721-2924 or email mspeaks@mustministries.org.

MUST Ministries Christmas toy needs include:

Teen Gifts

• Jewelry and watches • Adult coloring books and colored pencils • Headphones/earbuds • Sports equipment (balls, gloves, bat, skateboard) • Makeup kits • Calligraphy sets • Hair dryers/flat iron • Cologne/perfume/bath sets • Purses, wallets and belts

Toys for Ages 0-12

• Educational toys • Helmets and large bikes • Ethnic baby and

Barbie dolls • Jackets and scarves • Legos • Blankets • Diapers • Hats and gloves • Hot Wheels tracks Never Alone

www.NeverAlone.org

The food pantry is seeking partners to help fight hunger in the community. The pantry provides more than 126,100 meals to approximately 800 households each month. Never Alone’s partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank allows it to purchase food at greatly discounted prices. Tax deductible donations can be made online at www.NeverAlone.org, or by check, made payable to and mailed to: Never Alone Outreach, P.O. Box 1904, Woodstock, GA 30188.

North Georgia Angel House

www.angelhousega.com

The organization has served girls since 2006, by providing shelter, life skills, job readiness services, family support and more, for up to 40 females at a time. Current needs include: MP3 players, earbuds, gift cards for clothing or activities in the area and journals. Visit the website to donate, or shop on Amazon Smile and select North Georgia Angel House Inc as your charity to support.

Secret Santa

www.cherokeesanta.com

The Secret Santa program of the Department of Family and Children’s Services of Cherokee County offers a way for individuals, businesses, schools, churches or groups such as Sunday school classes or Boy and Girl Scout troops, to help the more than 375 children in foster care this year. Sponsors can be matched with specific children or collect speciality items needed to service the program. All levels of contributions are accepted. All size donations are appreciated. For more details, call the Secret Santa phone line at 470-333-8673.

Toys for Tots www.toysfortots.org

Toys for Tots is a national program started by the Marine Corps. Toys for Tots collects new, unwrapped toys year round to distribute to children in need during the holiday season, as a way of spreading joy to the less fortunate. Visit the website for the most updated list of collection sites near you.