Holidays/45 recipes

A hearty post-Thanksgiving chowder with butternut squash, celery root, savoy cabbage, rice, and leftover turkey in a silky pureed broth. Use up those holiday leftovers in 45 minutes flat.

Homemade cranberry liqueur made with fresh cranberries, vodka, sugar syrup, and orange peel. Steep for 4-5 weeks for a jewel-toned, tart-sweet holiday spirit.

A jewel-red Christmas borscht simmered with beets, garlic, bay leaf, and lemon juice, then topped with cool sour cream and fresh dill. Light, earthy, and ready in 45 minutes for your holiday table.

Turkey crunch casserole with leftover turkey, cream of mushroom soup, vegetables, and crispy chow mein noodles on top. A retro one-dish dinner that uses up holiday turkey in 45 minutes.

Christmas crackers are sweet honey-wheat holiday cookies stamped with cookie cutters and sprinkled with sugar. Makes 45 crispy-edged rectangles for gifting or dipping.

Classic turkey hash casserole with leftover turkey, diced potatoes, peas, cream of celery soup, and melted American cheese. A thrifty post-holiday dinner that comes together in under 45 minutes.

Gefilte fish from a jar upgraded with fresh beets, carrots, and onions layered and simmered for 45 minutes. Bubbe's shortcut for holiday fish that tastes almost homemade.

No-bake rum balls with vanilla wafer crumbs, finely chopped pecans, cocoa, and a generous splash of light rum. Rolled in powdered sugar and ready in 15 minutes. The boozy holiday classic.

No-bake walnut chocolate rum balls rolled in cocoa powder. Made with grated milk chocolate, chopped walnuts, powdered sugar, and real rum. A rich holiday candy ready in 15 minutes, makes 2 1/2 dozen.

Three-ingredient pretzel turtles with mini pretzels, Rolo or chocolate caramel candies, and toasted pecan halves. Easy no-fail sweet-and-salty holiday treat ready in 15 minutes.

Baked brie topped with spiced cranberry sauce, brown sugar, pecans, and a hint of rum extract. A gooey, 15-minute holiday appetizer that disappears fast.

Hot wassail made with apple juice, pineapple juice, and cranberry juice simmered with cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and lemon. A non-alcoholic holiday punch ready in 15 minutes.

Traditional Pennsylvania Dutch lebkuchen spiced with cinnamon, cloves, and wine, loaded with raisins and chopped nuts. A heritage holiday cookie baked in just 15 minutes.

No-bake cocoa bourbon balls with crushed vanilla wafers, pecans, cocoa powder, and corn syrup rolled in granulated sugar. A classic holiday candy ready in 15 minutes.

Ham in champagne baked with two bottles of extra dry champagne, brown sugar, honey, ginger, and dry mustard. A showstopping holiday ham with a bubbly glaze basted every 15 minutes until lacquered.

Green bean casserole made in the microwave with canned green beans, cream of mushroom soup, and crispy French fried onion rings on top. The classic holiday side dish ready in just 15 minutes.