Holiday Feasts in the Kitchen of your Dreams

The holidays will be here before we know it, but is your kitchen ready to handle the massive food prep for family gatherings and parties? Now is the perfect time to make your home improvement wish list before the holiday season comes knocking at the door.

Imagine freshly painted walls, a newly polished backsplash of your dreams that flows into stylish cabinets arranged in a functional manner that make your kitchen more than just a place you cook dinner, but a place where you can gather together with loved ones. The kitchen of your dreams can be yours and now is a great time to start!

Home One Services can take the stress out of any project you have going on, this includes kitchen, bathroom and exterior home remodels. We make sure that each step of the project is enjoyable and at the end of the day, your dreams become reality.

While you wait for the kitchen of your dreams to come to life, here is a holiday dessert favorite that can be made in your current kitchen. This recipe will save you space in the kitchen and be an instant favorite among guests.

Crockpot Caramel Apple Crumble from the kitchen of Jessica

Ingredients:

• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 5 large apples, cut into chunks
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping: 

• 2/3 cup oats
• 2/3 cup loosely packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 3-4 tablespoons softened butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Toss apple chunks with salt and cinnamon.
2. In the bottom of your slow-cooker, mix brown and granulated sugars, then spread evenly to cover. Layer apples on top, keeping them in a single layer as much as possible, then add the rest on top.
3. Mix the crumble topping together in a bowl, using your fingers to distribute the butter evenly and thoroughly and clump it together. Sprinkle it over top of the apples. Cook apples on low for 4 hours, or high for 2 hours. Turn off heat, unplug, and let sit, covered, for one hour. During this time the caramel will thicken a bit more. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
4. Enjoy!

But if you like to make your kitchen a little messy when you cook, here is a killer side dish to try at your next holiday party.

Thomas Keller’s recipe for Macaroni au Gratin 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb. elbow macaroni
• Kosher salt and freshly ground white pepper, to taste
• 12 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 cup flour
• 1 medium yellow onion (1⁄2 minced, 1⁄2 whole)
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 cups whole milk
• 1 lb. Comté, fontina, or Gruyère, grated
• 1 tbsp. freshly grated nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup bread crumbs

Instructions:

1. Cook macaroni in a 6-qt. saucepan of boiling salted water until al dente, about 8 minutes; drain and transfer to a bowl. Stir in 2 tbsp. butter; set aside.
2. Heat oven to 375°. Add remaining butter to pan; melt over medium-high. Cook minced onion until golden, 6–8 minutes. Stir in flour; cook 3 minutes. Stud remaining onion half with cloves and bay leaves and add to pan. Add milk; boil. Reduce heat to medium; cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, 5–7 minutes. Strain sauce through a fine-mesh sieve over macaroni. Stir in three-quarters of the cheese, the nutmeg, salt, and pepper; transfer to a 9″ x 13″ baking dish. Top with remaining cheese and the bread crumbs; bake until golden and bubbly, 40–45 minutes.

Just a few changes—big or small— can really impact your space and make it merry and bright just in time for the holidays! Plus, having a trusted and experienced contractor and team on your side makes a huge difference. We can supply and install everything from countertops to cabinets, painting, appliances, flooring and backsplash, so we can help you with every aspect of your kitchen remodel.

Contact our kitchen remodeling experts to see how we can help make your kitchen the focal point of your house – 717.581.3474.