The holidays are fast approaching, and with it comes busy days full of activities, events, and to-do lists. We know you want to spend as much time with your family as possible, so we have put together quick and easy recipes for your holiday table. From a sweet treat to start your morning to a deliciously tender roast, creamy side dishes, and after-dinner cookies, we have your holiday menu covered!

Gingerbread Pancakes

Start the morning on a sweet note. These gingerbread pancakes are an easy and delicious way to begin celebrating. You can also use cookie cutters to transform your pancakes into gingerbread men, snowflakes, and other festive holiday shapes. Try out this delicious recipe here!

Balsamic Roast Pork Tenderloin

Now that presents have been opened, and gingerbread pancakes have been devoured, it’s time to start preparing for your holiday dinner! Skip the ham this year in favor of a crispy pork tenderloin full of winter flavors, like balsamic vinegar and rosemary. The best part? This recipe only takes 30 minutes to prepare and cook, so you will have plenty of time to spend more time with family and friends!

Easy Cheesy Parmesan Risotto

Is there any better side dish than a creamy and cheesy one? With only a few pantry staples, you can whip up this dish in 45 minutes. This delightful recipe simplifies the process of making Risotto by using a Dutch oven to reduce the time and effort typically needed significantly. Find the recipe here.

Roasted Celery Root and Carrots

Root vegetables are in season right now and make a great roasted side dish! This recipe uses celery root and carrots, but you can also use other vegetables, like parsnips. Featuring fresh thyme and a kick of paprika, this dish is a great addition to your holiday table.

Mini Linzer Cookies

Linzer cookies are a winter tradition and a fun change from sugar cookies and gingerbread. These buttery shortbread cookies are always a hit, and the fresh raspberry jam adds a sweet, elegant touch. Find the recipe here.

The holidays are also a great time to give back to your community and lend a helping hand. We hope you will consider taking part in our 365 Days of Giving Program. The 365 Days of Giving is a year-long food drive to help benefit the Second Harvest Food Bank of San Joaquin County. By donating nonperishable food items, you can help the Second Harvest Food Bank assist the 35,000 people in San Joaquin County they serve each month. Donations can be made in the collection bins in the River Islands Welcome Center, the Lathrop-Manteca Fire Station #35, and the Lathrop Police Department. For more information on 365 Days of Giving, check out our blog here!

No matter what you choose to make for your holiday dinner, from all of us here at River Islands, we wish you and your family a happy holiday season! Stay tuned to our Facebook and Instagram pages to learn more about all the fun holiday happenings in River Islands this year.