Effortless Holiday Feasts: Mastering Perfect Hasselback Potatoes, Savory Croissant Stuffing, and a Stress-Free Jennie-O Turkey
The holiday season is a truly cherished time of year, brimming with warmth, laughter, and the invaluable opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. For many, myself included, spending these special moments with loved ones, especially adult children who are increasingly busy with their own lives, is the ultimate joy. Thanksgiving and Christmas offer a wonderful chance to slow down, catch up, and create lasting memories around a beautifully set table.
However, the idea of preparing a elaborate holiday meal can often feel overwhelming, threatening to keep you tethered to the kitchen while your family enjoys each other’s company. My goal for these gatherings is always to provide that comforting, home-cooked, traditional meal everyone looks forward to, but without sacrificing precious time with my kids. That’s why I’m always searching for smart ways to streamline the cooking process, allowing me to be present and enjoy the festivities.
This post is proudly sponsored by Jennie-O, but all opinions and content expressed here are entirely my own, reflecting my genuine experience and enthusiasm for these products.
This year, I discovered a game-changer that significantly simplified my holiday meal preparation: the JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ Cajun Style Whole Turkey. The beauty of this product lies in its incredible convenience. Forget the days of meticulous thawing, constant basting, or worrying about getting the seasoning just right. This turkey goes straight from your refrigerator into the oven, cooking perfectly in its own bag. The built-in temperature gauge pops up when it’s done, providing a visual cue, but for ultimate assurance, I always recommend a meat thermometer to confirm it reaches 165°F. This innovation truly allows for a hands-off cooking experience, freeing up invaluable time to connect with my family rather than being stuck in the kitchen.
One of the brilliant aspects of the JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ turkey is that it needs to rest for 15-20 minutes after cooking to ensure maximum juiciness and even distribution of heat. This resting period is a perfect window to finalize your side dishes. While the turkey was cooking, I efficiently prepped two of my family’s all-time favorite recipes: these stunning Hasselback potatoes and a delightfully light croissant stuffing. These dishes are designed to be baked to perfection during the turkey’s rest, ensuring everything comes out hot and ready to serve at the same time.
Beyond its convenience for a traditional family holiday, this Oven Ready turkey sparked another fantastic idea. My kids, now in their early twenties, are navigating their independent lives, not yet married or with children. Cooking a massive, traditional turkey for Thanksgiving is not on their radar. But this perfectly sized JENNIE-O® turkey is ideal for them to host a “Friendsgiving” – a wonderful way to celebrate with their own circle of friends, offering a delicious, impressive meal without the stress typically associated with preparing a whole bird from scratch. We even explored the holidays & events section of their website together, finding more inspiring ideas for effortless entertaining!
Both the Hasselback potatoes and the croissant stuffing are recipes that come together with surprising speed and minimal effort, yet they deliver an abundance of flavor that will impress any guest. The key is their strategic timing: prepare them about half an hour before your turkey is scheduled to finish cooking. This allows them to bake beautifully in the oven while the turkey rests, ensuring they are hot, fresh, and ready to complement your main course. This coordinated approach eliminates last-minute rushing and keeps your kitchen workflow smooth and enjoyable.
And while those delectable sides are crisping up in the oven, you’ll have just enough time to whip up a rich, flavorful gravy using the convenient packet that comes right with your JENNIE-O® OVEN READY™ turkey. This ensures every component of your holiday meal is perfectly timed and delicious.
Perfecting Your Holiday Sides: Hasselback Potatoes & Croissant Stuffing
Hasselback potatoes are more than just a side dish; they’re a culinary statement. Their striking “accordion” appearance, coupled with incredibly crispy edges and a tender, creamy interior, makes them an instant showstopper at any dinner party or holiday gathering. The unique cuts allow butter, oil, and seasonings to permeate every crevice, creating an explosion of flavor in every bite. They’re a fantastic alternative to traditional mashed or roasted potatoes, offering a touch of elegance with surprisingly little effort.
Ingredients to Make Flavorful Hasselback Potatoes
- 6 medium to large russet potatoes (choose uniform sizes for even cooking)
- 2 Tablespoons fresh garlic, finely minced (fresh garlic makes a big difference!)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup good quality olive oil
- 3 sprigs fresh thyme (for a fragrant, earthy note)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional, for a pop of color and freshness)
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional, adds a savory, cheesy crust)
This recipe provides a classic flavor profile that complements virtually any main course. While I believe this simple combination of garlic, butter, and thyme is absolute perfection, feel free to experiment with other complementary spices or herbs if you want to tailor them to your other side dishes. Rosemary, smoked paprika, or a touch of onion powder could also be wonderful additions. The beauty of Hasselback potatoes is their versatility!
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Gorgeous Hasselback Potatoes
- Begin by preheating your oven to a robust 450°F (230°C). This high temperature is crucial for achieving that coveted crispy exterior.
- Thoroughly scrub your potatoes under running water. Since the skin will remain on for this recipe, you want them impeccably clean. Pat them completely dry with a paper towel.
- **The “Accordion Effect” Secret:** To create the signature “accordion effect” and prevent cutting all the way through the potato, place two chopsticks (or two wooden spoons) parallel to each other on either side of a potato. This acts as a clever guard, stopping your knife blade just before it reaches the bottom of the potato.
- Using a sharp chef’s knife, make deep, vertical cuts across the top of the potato, spacing them approximately 1/4 inch apart. Continue cutting until your blade gently touches the chopsticks, creating thin, fanned-out slices without detaching them from the base.
- Repeat this process for all six potatoes. Once sliced, carefully transfer the potatoes to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or foil for easy cleanup.
- In a small saucepan over medium-low heat, melt 1/4 cup of the butter with 1/4 cup of the olive oil. Add the minced garlic and fresh thyme sprigs to infuse the oil-butter mixture with incredible flavor. Allow it to gently simmer for a minute or two, letting the aromas meld.
- Using a pastry brush, generously brush the warm melted oil-butter mixture over each potato. Take your time to ensure the mixture seeps down into as many of those delicate cuts as possible. This is key for maximum flavor absorption and crispiness.
- Bake the potatoes in your preheated oven for 30-45 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the size of your potatoes and your oven. They are done when they are gloriously golden brown, beautifully crispy on the outside, and fork-tender on the inside.
- While the potatoes are baking, melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup olive oil with the remaining minced garlic and fresh thyme. This second brushing adds another layer of flavor and moisture.
- Once the potatoes are out of the oven and perfectly crispy, brush them generously with this fresh melted butter-oil mixture. Immediately season them with salt and pepper to taste. For an extra flourish and depth of flavor, garnish with freshly grated Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped fresh parsley just before serving. The heat from the potatoes will slightly melt the Parmesan, creating a delicious crust.
These Hasselback potatoes are a fantastic centerpiece side dish that will undoubtedly garner compliments. Their visual appeal is only surpassed by their delicious, buttery, garlic-infused flavor and wonderful texture contrast.
Ingredients to Make Light and Crunchy Croissant Stuffing
- 4 large, buttery croissants (day-old croissants work best as they are less prone to becoming soggy)
- 1 cup chicken or vegetable broth
- 1/2 cup rich turkey drippings (from your JENNIE-O® turkey for ultimate flavor synergy)
- 1 Tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
- 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning blend
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
This croissant stuffing offers a wonderfully crunchy and light take on the classic holiday side. Unlike denser, bread-based stuffings, the buttery, flaky texture of croissants creates an airy, flavorful stuffing that’s anything but heavy. The rich turkey drippings are key here, imparting incredible depth of flavor that ties the whole meal together beautifully.
How to Make Delicious Croissant Stuffing
- In a large frying pan or skillet, melt the 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add the finely chopped celery and onions and sauté for about 3-5 minutes, or until they soften and become fragrant. You don’t want them browned, just tender.
- Meanwhile, take your croissants and carefully dice them into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces roughly 1-inch in size, ensuring a good mix of crunchy edges and soft centers.
- Transfer the sautéed celery and onions to a large mixing bowl. Add the diced croissants to the bowl.
- Generously season the croissant and vegetable mixture with Italian seasoning, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Toss everything together gently to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the broth and the rich turkey drippings. Pour this liquid mixture evenly over the bread mixture, tossing gently to moisten all the croissant pieces without making them soggy.
- Transfer the stuffing mixture into a shallow baking dish. Place it in the oven alongside your Hasselback potatoes for 15-20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and crispy.
As your Hasselback potatoes and croissant stuffing are finishing up in the oven, take advantage of this final moment to prepare your gravy. Using 1 1/4 cups of those delicious turkey drippings, follow the instructions on the gravy packet included with your JENNIE-O® turkey. The rich drippings will elevate the gravy to another level of homemade goodness.
If you prefer a thicker gravy consistency, simply whisk in 1 Tablespoon of flour or cornstarch (mixed with a little cold water to create a slurry first) into the simmering gravy until it reaches your desired richness. This little trick ensures your gravy is just right for drizzling over your turkey and sides.
Having my kids home for the holidays is always a profound joy, a precious opportunity to reconnect and build new memories. But being able to celebrate these special days with a delicious, traditional, homemade meal – completely free from the usual food-prep related stress – was an incredible, truly invaluable experience. This approach allowed me to focus on what truly matters: quality time, conversation, and enjoying the presence of my loved ones around a beautifully prepared, yet effortlessly executed, feast.
What are your family’s favorite holiday recipes that bring everyone to the table? I’m always looking for new inspiration! For more fantastic ideas and stress-reducing tips, be sure to check out the Jennie-O collection of Holiday favorites.
A Special Giveaway for Our Readers!
Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity! Simply leave a comment on this post sharing your favorite holiday cooking tip or a cherished family recipe to enter our giveaway. Four lucky winners will receive a Jennie-O coupon, each valued at $5 off Jennie-O products. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and concludes on Thanksgiving night at midnight (November 24, 2016). Good luck!
For a visual guide and extra tips on perfecting these Hasselback potatoes, make sure to watch the video demonstration below!
Hasselback Potatoes
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Ingredients
- 6 russet potatoes
- 2 Tablespoons garlic minced
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup olive oil
- 3 sprigs thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Parsley optional garnish
- ½ cup fresh Parmesan cheese optional garnish
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 450F (230°C).
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Thoroughly scrub your russet potatoes well since you will be leaving the skin on for this recipe. Pat them completely dry.
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To create the “accordion effect” and prevent cutting all the way through, position two chopsticks or wooden spoons on either side of your potato, parallel to each other. These will act as a guide for your knife.
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Using a sharp knife, place deep, even cuts in the potato every 1/4″ (about 0.6 cm), stopping when your blade hits the chopsticks. This creates thin, fanned-out slices.
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Repeat this slicing process for all potatoes. Then, carefully place the fanned potatoes on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
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In a small saucepan, melt 1/4 cup of butter and 1/4 cup of olive oil over medium-low heat. Add half of the minced garlic and two sprigs of fresh thyme. Let it infuse for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
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Using a pastry brush, generously brush the warm melted oil-butter mixture over the potatoes, making sure to get it down into as many of those cuts as possible for maximum flavor.
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Bake the potatoes for 30-45 minutes. The cooking time will vary by potato size and oven; they are done when they are golden and beautifully crispy on the outside, and tender when pierced with a fork.
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While the potatoes are baking, melt the remaining 1/4 cup butter and 1/4 cup olive oil with the remaining minced garlic and one sprig of thyme for a fresh flavor boost.
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Once baked, remove the potatoes from the oven. Brush them again with the freshly melted butter-oil mixture. Season immediately with salt and pepper to taste. For an optional flourish, garnish generously with fresh Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of chopped parsley before serving.
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are meticulously tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop to ensure accuracy and reliable results. It is important for our readers to note that cooking appliances can vary significantly; some ovens, particularly older models, may cook and bake inconsistently. To achieve the best outcome, we highly recommend using an inexpensive oven thermometer to verify that your oven is truly reaching and maintaining the proper temperature. If you opt to use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please be aware that these appliances may not distribute heat in the same way as a conventional full-sized oven, and you may need to adjust your cooking or baking times accordingly. For baking recipes where measurements are provided by weight, please understand that using volume measurements (cups) instead may lead to different results, and we cannot guarantee success with that method. We strive to provide the clearest instructions for your cooking journey!