Originally published in La Plaza Press

By CYRUS ENGELSMAN

The holiday season is the perfect time for seasonal foods and drinks.  Many families have certain foods and drinks they like to make during the winter season to make it more memorable and fun.  Food is universally loved and is the reason holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas are enjoyed so much.  Without food, these holidays would feel incomplete to most people. Making a good meal and enjoying it with loved ones brings everyone together and let’s them enjoy something everyone loves, eating.  

Drinks are very important to complete a festive meal, and to stay warm.  This hot cocoa recipe was made by Sophia Feduska, a junior at Redlands High School.  To start, you need three-fourths cup of milk, one-eighths cup of hot cocoa instant powder, one-half teaspoon of vanilla extract, two tablespoons of dark chocolate chips, one Whipped cream canister, two large marshmallows and two teaspoons of sprinkles.  

Once you have all that you need, microwave milk for a minute and a half or until hot, then add hot cocoa powder and stir until dissolved.  After that, reheat milk until hot, add chocolate chips, stir until chocolate chips have melted and add the vanilla.  Finally, add whipped cream, sprinkles and marshmallows on top.

While many adults enjoy eggnog, it often isn’t suitable for children and young teens.  A safe alternative can be a Coquito, this recipe was made by Alejandro Rodriguez, a sophomore at South Carolina Virtual Charter School.  This simple recipe requires two Cinnamon sticks, one can sweetened condensed milk, one can cream of coconut, one coconut milk, four ounces of evaporated milk, one-half teaspoon ground nutmeg, one-half teaspoon ground cinnamon, and one-half teaspoon vanilla extract. 

To start this easy recipe, mix all but the two cinnamon sticks together, once mixed, add cinnamon sticks afterwards, drink and enjoy!

A classic Spanish drink that many families enjoy is champurrado.  While it has many different ways to be made, this recipe is simple and delicious.  All that’s required is a stockpot, blender,  one and one half to two liters of water, one hot chocolate tablet, two packets of Gamia Maria Crackers, two cans of evaporated milk, two to three cinnamon sticks.  Some optional ingredients can be used such as walnuts, honey, or vanilla extract.  

To start, insert water into a stockpot, heat to low boil and add hot chocolate tablet and mix, throw both packets of crackers and evaporated milk into the blender and blend, once blended mix drinks together and stir.  Once all that’s done, enjoy.

As important as drinks are, a meal incomplete without food.  This egg casserole made by Paul McClure, a Redlands High School junior, shows how delicious casseroles are.  To start you’ll need one 14 inch baguette, one pound Pork sausage, one small onion, three cups shredded cheddar cheese, one dozen eggs, four cups whole milk, salt, pepper, hot sauce.  

Once everything is prepared, slice and toast the bread until golden, then fry sausage and onion until sausage is brown and onions are translucent, followed by greasing a thirteen-by-nine baking pan and shingle half of bread layer with half of onions and sausage and one cup cheese, repeat with the rest of bread, sausage, and onion, after that whisk up eggs, milk, salt, pepper, hot sauce and pour over the casserole. Wrap and refrigerate overnight with a weighted lid, finally spread remaining cheese on top and bake at 350 degrees Farenheit until lightly browned.

Snacks are just as important as meals, and lots of people’s favorite snacks during winter time are haystacks.  For this recipe, one cup of butterscotch chips, half a cup of peanut butter, half a cup of peanuts, and two cups of noodles are needed.

To begin this recipe, peanut butter and butterscotch chips need to be melted, after that stir peanuts and noodles into mixture, finally place the mixture into waxed paper and set to cool.  While this is a common recipe for haystacks, additional ingredients can be added such as shredded parmesan cheese, vanilla extract, or sugar for extra flavor.

While food is an essential for dinner, a good dessert can make a good night even better.  Sierra Lesnikowski, a junior from Summit High School, recommends her Snickers (candy bar) salad.  For this dessert, one container of cool whip, two green apples, mini Snickers, a large bowl, and caramel are required.  

To make this dessert, put the whole container of cool whip and a bit of caramel into the bowl, secondly cut up the mini Snickers and apples into small pieces and put them into the bowl, finally mix it all together and add some caramel at the top for extra flavor and decoration.  

The winter season is perfect for people to come together and spend time with the people you love.  No matter what’s being made, always make sure there’s enough for friends and loved ones alike.  Holidays are not the same without food, and really brings everyone together.  Meals help people share memories and fun times together, whether it’s having an amazing meal or making something new with loved ones, food always helps people come together.