The holiday season promises good food, loads of family time, as well as the stress of several families hanging out at home in a confined space while you're often in the kitchen trying to make a magical meal. Use these recipes to minimize your stress. Remember that you can only do so much. Knowing things won’t be perfect is important. Make a plan with your spouse. Write down a couple of goals to keep in mind when arguments occur, tears are shed or resentment rears its ugly head. The goal is to create lasting family memories, work together towards it while also accepting that some things just won't go as planned. A team effort means the burden is off of you to make holiday gatherings perfect and you've got an ally in your corner.

If you’ve been my guest, you know my style of cooking is no-cooking cooking, literally 2-3 ingredients, minimal prep, minimal clean up and maximum color and flavor. That leaves a lot of time to host friends and family.

If group cooking interests your family, these fool-proof recipes are also easy for guests and all to join in the fun.

PEAR NECTAR AND THYME MIMOSAS Pre-batched cocktails deliver all the “WOW” without the work.

PEAR NECTAR AND THYME MIMOSAS
Pre-batched cocktails deliver all the “WOW” without the work.

APPLE SAUSAGE + POTATOES Always a hit. Sweet and savory in one bite.

APPLE SAUSAGE + POTATOES
Always a hit. Sweet and savory in one bite.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES SUNDAE These easy and elegant ice cream cups with balsamic macerated strawberries and toasted almonds make a perfectly decadent dessert!.

BALSAMIC STRAWBERRIES SUNDAE
These easy and elegant ice cream cups with balsamic macerated strawberries and toasted almonds make a perfectly decadent dessert!.

GINGER MARMALADE SALMON Most moist flakey, melt-in-your-mouth salmon ever.

GINGER MARMALADE SALMON
Most moist flakey, melt-in-your-mouth salmon ever.

BUTTERY PULL-APART BUTTER ROLLS With this hack, it’ll be the softest pull-apart dinner rolls you’ve ever ‘made’

BUTTERY PULL-APART BUTTER ROLLS
With this hack, it’ll be the softest pull-apart dinner rolls you’ve ever ‘made’

ROASTED PARMASAN BRUSSELS SPROUTS A crowd pleaser. slightly charred, crisp, savory with hints of molasses from the balsamic vinegar, accompanied by the sharp, nutty taste of quality Parmesan Cheese.

ROASTED PARMASAN BRUSSELS SPROUTS
A crowd pleaser. slightly charred, crisp, savory with hints of molasses from the balsamic vinegar, accompanied by the sharp, nutty taste of quality Parmesan Cheese.

ROASTED BEETS AND SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH TAHINI Simply oven roast or grill them in olive oil and salt, then drizzle tahini dressing over them. How easy is that for an addictive yet healthy side dish.

ROASTED BEETS AND SWEET POTATO FRIES WITH TAHINI
Simply oven roast or grill them in olive oil and salt, then drizzle tahini dressing over them. How easy is that for an addictive yet healthy side dish.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE & TOMATO SAUCE Mussels are easy to dress up to look a million bucks. Using frozen prepackaged mussels meals (tomato or white wine varieties) eliminates cleaning, scrubbing and de-bearding.

MUSSELS IN WHITE WINE & TOMATO SAUCE
Mussels are easy to dress up to look a million bucks. Using frozen prepackaged mussels meals (tomato or white wine varieties) eliminates cleaning, scrubbing and de-bearding.

NO-FAIL JUICY SMOKED CHICKEN/TURKEY The easiest chicken/turkey approach that never fails to produce beautiful juicy delicately complex flavored birds

NO-FAIL JUICY SMOKED CHICKEN/TURKEY
The easiest chicken/turkey approach that never fails to produce beautiful juicy delicately complex flavored birds

CREAMIEST, DREAMIEST MASH POTATOES The fluffiest, creamiest, easiest mash potatoes ever! Pretty too! Good old mash potatoes get a lighter feel with garlic butter infused milk.

CREAMIEST, DREAMIEST MASH POTATOES
The fluffiest, creamiest, easiest mash potatoes ever! Pretty too! Good old mash potatoes get a lighter feel with garlic butter infused milk.