Quick Fixes for Holiday Guests

The holiday season invariably means entertaining family and friends – who sometimes drop in by surprise. Having a few items in the freezer helps make the surprise a pleasant one for all. For the bustling winter season, we have come up with three recipes that may be frozen ahead and brought out with no last-minute preparation.

The ham and cheddar quiche is an excellent basic recipe. For the ham, you can substitute salmon, broccoli or artichokes. Originating in the northeast of France, the dish sometimes includes shellfish, mushrooms, bacon or Gruyère. Just as tasty served hot or cold, as a main course or hors d’œuvre, its versatility makes it an excellent holiday choice.

The Raspberry Streusel Cake is also versatile. Serve it as a dessert, or at breakfast or brunch with freshly grilled grapefruit. The cake is dense, homey and bursting with flavour and colour.

The final item on the menu involves slightly more preparation time, but is well worth it. We find it is just as easy to double the recipe, so if you have the freezer space, this is a bread that will reheat easily. For a festive feel, add green and red candied cherries to the topping.

Our suggestion is to make the recipes in mid-December, let them thaw overnight in the refrigerator on Christmas Eve, and on Christmas morning, the only thing to do is brew the coffee.