(ARA) - While every family has certain dishes that are a “required” part of any holiday get-together, this time of year can also be a great opportunity to try new recipes.

Chances are you won’t want to mess with the main course, but why not try some new side dishes? Just stick to seasonal ingredients and flavors that you know your family will enjoy, and you may have a new family tradition in the making.

And even though the holidays are synonymous with homemade food, don’t be afraid to use some prepared ingredients to make your holiday cooking a little easier. For example, while you’re focusing on the turkey and trimmings, why not turn to packaged veggie dips to give guests something to nibble on? Or use a gourmet bottled dressing and pre-washed greens in your salad -- no one needs to know but you.

The folks at Litehouse Foods have been making high-quality dips, dressings and sauces for over 40 years. The business started in the family’s restaurant in Hope, Idaho, selling the dressings customers loved. They still make their products the same way, with the best ingredients, never adding preservatives or MSG.

Here’s a favorite salad recipe from the Litehouse Foods files. The addition of cranberries gives it a festive look for your holiday table.

Mixed Greens Salad with Pear and Candied Pecans

Ingredients:

1/4 cup pecan halves

2 tablespoons sugar

1 package (10 ounces) torn mixed salad greens

1 pear, cored and thinly sliced (1 apple, cored and thinly sliced, may be used in place of the pear)

1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries

1 cup (4 ounces) Litehouse Idaho Blue Cheese Crumbles

1/2 cup Litehouse Cranberry Vinaigrette Dressing

Directions:

Cook pecans with sugar in small skillet over medium-high heat 3 minutes or until sugar melts, coats pecans and browns slightly, stirring constantly. Remove from pan, let cool.

Top salad greens with pear slices, pecans, dried cranberries and cheese. Drizzle with dressing just before serving.

Courtesy of ARA Content