Warpath staff recommends Holiday foods people should appreciate more

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Example of what Christmas Crack looks like (PHOTO BY Irvin Lin and Emma Christensen)

BY LORILEI BLACKETT

Saltwater chestnuts wrapped in bacon (Kenzie)

When my parents first got married, my mom needed an appetizer that her father-in-law could not be messy with. He loves bacon, so she came up with this, and we have it every year.

Poached pears (Kenzie)

These are my grandma’s favorite dessert, so she makes them every year. They are pears soaked in red wine, cinnamon, honey, and ginger.

Sausage stars (Kenzie)

Again, my mom needed something that my grandpa could not make a mess of. He loves any type of meat, so all of the appetizers have meat in them. He’s very picky. These consist of phyllo dough cups filled with shredded american cheese and spicy Bob Evans Sausage.

Hanky Pankys (Kenzie)

I have Jewish cousins who also celebrate Christmas with us. Their hanky panky are a traditional appetizer, so they share them with us every Christmas. These are slices of rye bread that are toasted with a mixture of ground beef, sausage, Worcestershire sauce, and American cheese.

Stone crab (Kenzie)

I am typically in Florida with my family over the holidays. Winter is the best time for stone crab. My parents said the first time we went down there for Christmas, my dad tried to catch his own stone crab in a crab pot that he placed in the intracoastal. He caught one small crab that was supposed to feed the–then–10 people in my extended family. To cover up the fact that he only caught a tiny crab, he and my mom went to the fish market and bought a basket a stone crab and tried to pass it off as their own. It didn’t work, so now we eat it as a joke and because it’s really good.

Shrimp Cocktail (Wiseman)

This is one of the things that need no explanation. Shrimp Cocktails are something that any sophisticated person (who can eat shellfish) can enjoy.

BY OSCAR NORD

Christmas Crack (Olivia)

So Christmas Crack is saltine crackers covered in caramel and chocolate, and although it could have a better name, the dish is addictive. During the holidays, my brothers and I each get to pick a flavor, I chose peppermint and chocolate, and my mom will give it to us as a Christmas gift.

Example of what Christmas Crack looks like (PHOTO BY IRVIN LIN & EMMA CHRISTENSEN)

Sausage Meatballs (Wiseman)

My mom makes these every year for New Year’s Day.  German tradition says that eating pork and sauerkraut brings luck.  These amazing morsels of goodness are made with sausage, sauerkraut, onions and cream cheese.  You roll the mixture into a 2-3 inch balls (like a meatball), then batter in cracker crumbs. Fried in a cast iron skillet.  Delicious.

Oysters (Wiseman)

Another sophisticated, classy food Mr. Wiseman thinks should be appreciated more.  However, Wiseman likes to lower the “class” factor by frying them.

By: Paula Borowska

Black Eyed Peas (Olivia)

I’m not completely sure on the history behind this dish, but ever since I can remember my family has eaten Black Eyed Peas for dinner on News Year as a sign of good luck.

PHOTO BY Jasmine Waheed

Breakfast Casserole (Wiseman)

This is a traditional “Christmas morning” option: sausage (1 pound, browned), 8 eggs, 2 cups of milk, ½ lb (or more) cheddar cheese, 6 slices of  cubed”day-old” bread, +mustard powder, salt, pepper.  Mix it all together: easy breakfast casserole.

Cheese balls (shaped to the Holiday) (Olivia)

The cheese ball typically makes an appearance at all our family gatherings as my aunt enjoys making it. So during December, she will make holiday themed cheese balls, varying from snowmen to trees to Santa.

Cookies (Nick)

Cookies need no explanation. I mean they are cookies, what else could you want?

By: Mae Mu

Moose Munch (Nick)

Moose Munch is a mixture of popcorn, caramel corn, and chocolate covered popcorn.

Chocolate covered pretzel sticks (Megan)

I make these every year with my mom. We get a bag of the big pretzel sticks, melt white and milk chocolate and dip the pretzel sticks into them. We then add decorative sprinkles before they dry. These are an easy and quick treat that can be given out to neighbors, family and friends: a great holiday gift.

Peppermint Bark (Lorilei)

A classic holiday food that is usually milk chocolate on the bottom of white chocolate with crushed bits of peppermint in it.

PHOTO BY LORILEI BLACKET