16 Tips for Vacation Rental Home GuestsOver the last decade, tens of millions of people have had uneventful, enjoyable stays in vacation rental units. But let’s be honest - every type of travel carries some risk. While Airbnb, VRBO and others have taken steps to...
Hearty Dinners & Drinks For Your Group After The Slopes
The best part about winter is being able to get away for a week or long weekend and enjoy fresh powder on the slopes. Grab your skis or snowboard and head to the mountains for an exhilarating ski vacation in the great outdoors!
Whether or not you are planning on hitting the slopes yourself, a day in the mountain air usually leads to your group being famished at night. These hearty meals and toasty drinks are a great way to refresh and relax in your cozy vacation rental cabin. Delight friends and family with these easy to make recipes that are sure to please your active crowd.
*Disclaimer: Some of these involve the use of a crockpot. If you can’t bring one along, ask your Property Manager to secure one for you.
Dinner Recipes Designed for your Ski Trip
Slow Cooker Beef Tips
These beef tips take minutes to assemble. Just cook on low in a slow cooker for 6-8 hours and return from the slopes to a hearty homecooked meal. Serve over mash potatoes or rice with your favorite salad or vegetable.
Serving Size: 8 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 6-8 hours low
Ingredients:
- 3 lbs Top Sirloin Steak cubed
- 2 cups Beef Broth
- 1 10.5 oz can of Cream of Mushroom Soup
- 1 cup diced Onion
- 1 tbsp minced Garlic
- 1 tsp dry Thyme
- 1 tsp seasoning salt -like Lawry’s, divided
- 2 tbsps Cooking Oil
Directions:
- Cut Steak into 1-inch cubes
- Heat a large skillet with oil and brown meat using half the Lawry’s seasoning
- Add all of the ingredients to the crockpot
- Mix in the stew meat
- Cook on low for 6-8 hours
Rigatoni Alla Nonno
The unique and memorable flavors of Italy can be found in Grandpa’s Rigatoni. A base of pork, carrots and onions combined with a (jarred) red sauce makes a sweet palette-satisfying dish. The best part? After preparation, it only needs 35 minutes to simmer. Prepare a quick hot pasta that everyone will love.
Serving Size: 6 Prep Time: 15 Minutes Cook Time: 35-45 mins
Ingredients:
- 16 oz box Rigatoni
- 2 1/2 lbs boneless Pork Loin Chops
- 1/2 cup Carrots, sliced in thin rounds
- 1 medium white or yellow Onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp minced Garlic
- 1 tbsp Italian Seasoning
- 1 16 oz can/jar of your favorite meatless red sauce (We like Huntz 4 Cheese Sauce)
- Fresh Parmesan Cheese
- Olive Oil
Directions
- Slice the pork loin into thin bite-size strips
- Heat a large skillet or saucepan with a liberal amount of olive oil
- Add the pork to the pan and sprinkle with about 1/2 Tbsp of Italian Seasoning
- Cook until mostly white (about 5 minutes) turning pieces with a fork as you go
- Remove pork from the pan
- Add onion, carrots and minced garlic to the pan
- Cook for 4 minutes until onion starts to get opaque
- Add pork back to the pan
- Add the sauce and stir
- Simmer on low for 35-45 minutes
- Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to directions
- Sprinkle with fresh parmesan right before serving
Don’t Forget Hot Drinks to Help you Warm-up and Celebrate your Ski Vacation With Family and Friends
Hot Toddy
Guaranteed to Warm you Up
- 1 oz Bourbon
- 1 tsp Honey
- 1/2 tsp Lemon Juice
- 1/4 cup boiling Water
- Sip slowly and enjoy
Irish Coffee
A Classic Pick-Me-Up Before or After the Slopes
- 2 parts Irish Whiskey
- 4 parts black Coffee
- Sugar or Cream to taste
- PRO TIP: Use Bailey’s instead of cream for extra pizazz
Texas-Style Chili
What’s winter without Chili? The original dish most likely emerged in the Mexico/Southwest Texas region. There are so many variations but we like this one because it’s full of flavor and easy to make. This recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for your crowd.
Serving Size: 4 Prep Time: 10 Minutes Cook Time:40 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 lb ground Beef or Turkey
- Olive Oil or Vegetable Oil
- 1 yellow Onion, chopped
- Diced green Pepper
- 1 14 oz can Diced Tomatoes, undrained
- 1 15 oz can Kidney Beans, undrained
- 1 package Chili Seasoning -like McCormick’s or your choice
Suggested Toppings:
- Chopped red Onion
- Shredded Cheese
- Sour Cream
- Jalepeno slices
- Oyster Crackers or other
Directions:
- Gently heat 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil in a large pot
- Sauté chopped onions and pepper over media heat until the onions are translucent
- Add and brown ground beef or turkey and cook through
- Remove from heat and drain excess fat
- Add undrained diced tomatoes and kidney beans
- 1 15 oz can kidney beans, undrained
- Add chili seasoning, stir thoroughly and bring to a boil and reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally
One-Dish Ham & Scalloped Potatoes
For the Northerners and Brittish in your crowd, Ham & Scalloped potatoes is a winter staple. Thought to have origins in England, this hearty and one-dish meal sticks to your bones when you need it to the most.
Serving Size: 8 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Ingredients:
- 2 cups diced cured Ham
- 8 medium Russet Potatoes (about 6 cups)
- 1/2 pt. Whipping Cream
- 1 cup grated American or cheddar cheese
- Salt & Pepper
- Fresh Parsley
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees
- Grease a 2 1/2 quart baking dish
- Scrub the potatoes and slice into 1/4 inch rounds
- Layer half the potatoes in the bottom of the pan
- Sprinkle with salt & pepper
- Top with half of the ham
- Add 1/4 pint whipping cream
- Add 1/2 cup cheese
- Repeat with remaining ingredients
- Bake for 60 minutes covered in foil
- Remove foil and cook until Potatoes are tender
- Garnish with parsley
Best Ever Baked Chicken Dinner
This quickly became a household favorite as soon as we tried it. Never worry again about your chicken not staying moist and flavorful while still maintaining perfectly seasoned and crispy skin.
Serving Size: 8 Prep Time: 20 Minutes Cook Time: 1 hr 30-45 mins
Ingredients:
- 1 5-6 lb roasting Chicken
- 2 Lemons halved, one for garnish
- 1 bunch fresh Thyme, 10 additional sprigs for garnish
- 5 whole cloves Garlic, peeled but not cut
- Kosher Salt
- Garlic Seasoning Himalyan Pink Salt
- Freshly ground Pepper
- 1 large Onion, sliced thick
- 5 Carrots cut in 1 1/2 inch sticks
- 2 – 3 cupes Red Potatoes, halved
- 2 tbsp melted Butter
- Olive Oil
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F
- Rinse the chicken in cold water, remove giblets and pat dry with a paper towel
- In a small bowl, generously mix 2 parts garlic seasoning salt with 1 part each salt and pepper
- Liberally apply to the outside skin of the chicken
- With a brush or a spoon, apply the melted butter to the outside of the chicken, adding additional spice mixture if there is run off
Additional Winter Drinks to Serve to a Group
Hot Apple Cider
The Taste of Autumn in One Sip
- Fill a cup 3/4 of the way with heated Apple Cider
- 1 shot Whiskey or Fireball
- A few drops of Lemon Juice
- sliced apples and Cinnamon sticks for garnish
- Optional: Drizzle with Caramel
- PRO TIP: For large groups or parties, heat wet ingredients, except for alcohol, in a crockpot or stove
- Add alcohol to taste
A+ Martini
Not a hot drink but still perfect for winter
- 2.5 oz Hendrick’s or Bombay Gin
- 2 oz Aperol
- .5 oz simple syrup
- 4-5 drops of Lemon Juice
- 2-3 dashes of Bitters
- Best shaken over ice and served in a martini glass
