Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 22, 2015
Holiday Fun with Peeps Featuring Gingerbread White Hot Cocoa PEEPSONALITY
My Gingerbread Hot White Cocoa features a trio of warm spices normally found in gingerbread. To make this decadent treat extra fun, each mug of cocoa is served garnished with an easy-to-make gingerbread man marshmallow Peep stirrer. Its a win-win: everyone gets to enjoy a comforting mug of white chocolate-infused cocoa...and they get to enjoy a tasty gingerbread marshmallow Peep too. This white cocoa is ready to drink in about 20 minutes. While the cocoa is heating on the stovetop, you have a pocket of time to make the adorable Peep stirrers. Let me show you how easy it is!
Gingerbread Hot White Cocoa
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients (makes 3-4 mugs of cocoa):
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 2 cups half and half
- 2 ounces white chocolate, coarsely chopped
- 1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp. powdered ginger
- 1 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
- Whipped cream for garnish
For the gingerbread man marshmallow Peep stirrers:
- 3-4 gingerbread man marshmallow Peeps
- 3-4 drinking straws -- preferably with red and white stripes, if you can find them
Directions:
Step 1: Add the milk, half and half, white chocolate, brown sugar, and vanilla to a medium non-stick saucepan. Turn the heat to medium and cook until the white chocolate and brown sugar have melted into the milk mixture. Whisk every few minutes to ensure nothing sticks and the mixture is very smooth. Add the spices to the warm cocoa.
Step 2: Use a whisk to ensure the spices incorporate into the cocoa instead of simply floating on top. Turn off the heat and let the mixture steep for 5 minutes -- this allows the flavor of the spices to infuse into the cocoa.
Step 3: Use a ladle to transfer the warm cocoa into 3-4 holiday mugs. To make the marshmallow Peeps stirrer: insert one end of the straw into the bottom of each gingerbread man marshmallow Peep -- go slow so you dont stretch out the Peep too much. Top the cocoa with whipped cream and sprinkle with a bit of cinnamon. Insert the straw end of each stirrer into each mug of cocoa.
[NOTE: Depending on the depth of your mug and the length of your straw, you may need to cut the straw so the Peep rests just above the whipped cream -- with a bit of the straw showing!]
This hot white cocoa is decadently good...the white chocolate provides a rich creaminess, and the brown sugar and vanilla adds a slight caramel flavor in the background. The combination of warm spices is so comforting...with a little kick from the ginger. I especially enjoyed how the flavors in the cocoa combined with the spiced sugar coating on the cute gingerbread man marshmallow Peeps! This cocoa is a fun little treat that kids of all ages will love. I hope you make a batch soon for a pre-Christmas break from all the last-minute preparations.
Disclosure: Peeps sent me a package of their seasonal holiday products to facilitate this feature. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Pomegranate TheSaladBar Featuring Holiday Pomegranate Pistachio Salad
This month’s theme for #TheSaladBar is pomegranates. Tangy pomegranate is in season this month, and it’s perfect for creating vibrant holiday salads. You can sprinkle pomegranate seeds (arils) on top of the salad, use the juice to flavor the dressing…or both. Pomegranate arils are vibrant purple-pink and look like tiny jewels when resting against salad greens. To me, the seeds inside have a nutty flavor. I love them! My Holiday Pomegranate-Pistachio Salad with Blood Orange-Pomegranate Vinaigrette is a perfect holiday side dish. It’s light and healthy, and it looks seasonal and festive when you serve it. You can buy a whole pomegranate and seed it yourself. If you decide to go that route, POM Wonderful has an excellent step-by-step video tutorial. However, I opted to use another great POM Wonderful product for this salad: POM POMS ready-to-use arils. They’re refrigerated and come packaged in convenient sealed 4- and 8-ounce cups, ready to open up and use. So simple! This is a really great time-saving product that I keep on hand throughout pomegranate season. One of my favorite holiday recipes featuring pomegranate arils are my pretty Filo Cups with Whipped Brie, Pomegranate Molasses, Pistachios and Pomegranate Arils. These bite-sized appetizers are a snap to make, but they will WOW your guests!
To save time, I also used convenient Dole Seven Lettuces Salad Blend in this salad. It provides a nice variety of tender, flavorful salad greens. The packaging mentioned that it paired well with citrus flavors, so I knew it would be a great choice. To round out my vibrantly colored holiday salad, I topped it with some good-quality feta cheese and chopped green pistachios. My simple homemade vinaigrette was made using O Olive Oil’s fabulous blood orange-infused olive oil and pomegranate champagne vinegar. These two flavors work really nicely together, and the simple vinaigrette only took a few minutes to whisk together. If youre planning a sit-down meal during the holidays, this salad would make a fabulous addition...especially if its served in a gorgeous holiday-themed bowl. Let me show you just how simple this salad is to whip up.Holiday Pomegranate-Pistachio Salad
with Blood Orange-Pomegranate Vinaigrette
with Blood Orange-Pomegranate Vinaigrette
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients:
· 1 bag Dole salad
· ½ cup POM Wonderful POM POM ready-to-use arils
· ½ cup crumbled feta
· ½ cup chopped roasted and salted pistachios
For the vinaigrette:
· ½ cup O blood orange olive oil
· ¼ cup O pomegranate champagne vinegar
· 1 tbs. honey
· 1 tbs. shallot, very finely diced
· Salt and pepper to taste
Step 1: Add the salad greens to a large salad bowl. Top with the pomegranate arils, feta and pistachios. If you like, ½ cup of mandarin orange segments or blood orange segments can be added as well.
Step 2: Make the sweet-tart pomegranate vinaigrette by whisking together the dressing ingredients in a small measuring cup. When youre ready to serve the salad, pour the vinaigrette on top and give it a gentle toss. NOTE: Adding the dressing just before serving ensures a fresh, crisp salad.
That’s it…utter simplicity! This salad is perfect for your upcoming holiday dinner menu. It’s ready to eat in a snap, full of vibrant flavors and textures, and healthy to boot. I love the way the tart arils, salty-tangy feta and pistachios work with the greens. The vinaigrette is sweetly tart and compliments the salad ingredients without overpowering them. The champagne vinegar is lightly acidic, and it pairs so nicely with the citrusy olive oil. Bottom line: this salad is my holiday gift to you!
Be sure to check out the other great pomegranate-inspired salads my fellow #TheSaladBar friends are sharing today. If you’ve never used pomegranate in salads before, I hope the salads being shared today change that!
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Disclosure: I was provided POM Wonderful arils, Dole Salad Blends and O Olive Oil and Vinegar to facilitate this post. I received no further compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.
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Disclosure: I was provided POM Wonderful arils, Dole Salad Blends and O Olive Oil and Vinegar to facilitate this post. I received no further compensation, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Saturday, February 14, 2015
ChristmasWeek Santas Favorite Holiday Bark and a Freund Giveaway!
Today Im sharing Santas Favorite Holiday Bark, a no-bake treat thats festive and full of festive holiday flavors and colors! If you can melt chocolate, you can whip this candy up in about 20 minutes...then let it set in the fridge for another 30 minutes. This is great for last-minute hostess gifts and teacher presents...or anyone whos a peppermint fiends like me. Feel free to sub in whatever holiday toppings you prefer...its a flexible and fun recipe!
Santas Favorite Holiday Bark
a Weekend Gourmet Original
Ingredients:
- 1o-ounce bag dark chocolate chips
- 1 cup peppermint mini marshmallows
- 1 bag of white chocolate-peppermint melting discs or baking chips
- 8 mint-flavored cream-filled cookies
- 8 ounces mint candy-coated chocolate candies
- Festive holiday sprinkles of your choice
Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate chips in a bowl via the microwave in 30-second intervals. Stir and repeat until the chocolate chips are melted. Let cool slightly, then stir in the marshmallows and stir to combine...be careful that they dont melt. Melt the peppermint candy discs and spread on top of the dark chocolate. Using a spatula, swirl the two together.
Be sure to stop by and visit all of the other Christmas Week Peeps for more Holiday Baking Goodness. The recipes are all great!
- Mini Sugar Cookie Houses aka Hot Chocolate Mug Perches by Cravings of a Lunatic
- Gingerbread Linzer Cookies by Chocolate Moosey
- Gingerbread Bread Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce by See Aimee Cook
- Bourbon Barrels by The Girl In The Little Red Kitchen
- Toasted Almond Shortbread by The Messy Baker
- Midori Melon Cupcakes by Ninja Baking
- Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti by Noshing With The Nolands
- Wine Poached Pear and Almond Rugelach by The Little Ferraro Kitchen
- Bebinca - Layered Goan Cake by Masala Herb
- Artichoke Dip Tarts by Food Lust People Love
- Layered Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Peanut Brittle by Frugal Antics of a Harried Homemaker
- Peppermint Chocolate Cupcakes by The Dutch Bakers Daughter
- Chocolate Dipped Baked Potato Chips by Dizzy Busy and Hungry
- Chocolate Yule Log by Comfortably Domestic
- Triple Orange Biscotti by Liv Life
- Chocolate Hazelnut Cupcakes with Nutella Frosting by Rants From My Crazy Kitchen
- Chocolate Chip Collapsidies by Try Anything Once Culinary
- Candy Cane Blossoms by Like Mother Like Daughter
***This giveaway is for five (individually awarded) $100 gift certificates to Freund Container & Supply. Gift certificate is a one-time use certificate and must be used in its entirety; any leftover monies on the gift certificate will be forfeited. This giveaway is open to both US and Canadian residents. However, it should be noted that due to current International shipping rates, any Canadian winners will pay higher shipping costs for orders. ***
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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***Disclaimer: This giveaway is being provided by Freund Container & Supply. #ChristmasWeek bloggers have not received product or been compensated as a part of this giveaway.***
Holiday Giveaway Sponsored by O Olive Oil
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| O Olive Oil Gift Set: O Cassis Vinegar + O Organic Blood Orange Olive Oil |
O how I love O Olive Oils artisan vinegars and organic citrus-crushed olive oils!
O boy am I excited that they have generously decided to sponsor this amazing giveaway!
O wow up to 10 lucky winners will receive a gift set of their choosing from Os spectacular Natural Box collection shipped to them free of charge! (Itll be like your own little holiday present to yourself!)
Maybe youll decide to pick the gift set at the top..
Or this one..
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| O Olive Oil Gift Set: O Organic Tahitian Lime Olive Oil + O Pomegranate Champagne Vinegar |
Or this one..
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| O Olive Oil Gift Set: O Organic Clementine Olive Oil + O White Balsamic Vinegar |
Or any one of the other gift sets available HERE. O decisions, decisions!
You already know that I love O Olive Oils products, and now I hope that you will get to try them and love them as much as I do.
All you have to do to enter is...
1) Leave a comment below telling me:
- which of the 9 different gift sets from the Natural Box collection you would like and
- what you would make with it (like "drizzle O Cassis Vinegar over sauteed broccoli", or if youre like me "drink O Pomegranate Champagne Vinegar straight from the bottle").
2) Include your email address so I can contact you if you win and so O Olive Oil can send you a special offer via email every now and then (you can always opt out later if you choose).
3) Must have a continental US shipping address in order to receive the prize.
Every 25th comment that satisfies all 3 of the above requirements will win the Natural Box gift set of their choosing. Up to 10 different winners.
This giveaway is open until 5:00pm Pacific time Thursday, December 16th, 2010, or until all 10 winners have been determined.
Be sure to tell your friends and family to participate - the more comments, the more chances to win!
PS - If youd like to be the first to know stuff like this in the future, be sure to:
- Sign up on the left under "Follow My Blog"
- or Follow Me on Twitter: @EnchantedCook
- or Like my Facebook page: TheEnchantedCook
~GIVEAWAY HAS CLOSED~
CONGRATS TO THE 5 LUCKY WINNERS
AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!
AND THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO PARTICIPATED!
Friday, February 13, 2015
A Fabulous Holiday Side Dish Butternut Squash Puree from Perrys Steakhouse Grille
Michael and I attend two big family sit-down meals every holiday season: Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. My side of the family celebrates on Christmas Eve with a casual, fun party thats all about fun finger foods, appetizers, and sweets. Then, Michael and I always have a big Christmas lunch the next day at his parents house before opening presents in the afternoon. I’m constantly looking for new dishes to share with everyone. Of course, some “tried and true” family favorites are a must every year to prevent a mutiny...but I’m a culinary rebel and like to shake things up a bit. Thanks to my friends at Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, I’ve got a fabulous new side dish to contribute this year: Butternut Squash Puree. This item is available on Perry’s menu year-round, so I was very excited when they sent me the recipe and asked me to try it out and share it with you!
This was my first time to cook butternut squash. Ive always been intimidated by the idea of cutting a whole butternut squash up. However, our new Trader Joe’s sells bags of peeled pre-cut butternut squash, which made the prep work for this dish a snap! The flavor of this side dish is similar to sweet potatoes, and it’s bursting with flavor thanks to addition of butter, bacon, and maple syrup. How can that be anything but good?!?!? The only changes I made to the recipe they sent me were to half the recipe since I was cooking for just Michael and I. I also subbed panko bread crumbs for the Italian breadcrumbs the recipe calls for. I misread the recipe and bought panko, so I went that. It gave the final product a really nice crunch, which we loved.
Butternut Squash Puree
from Perrys Steakhouse & Grille
Step 1: Add 4 cups chicken stock to a large Dutch oven over med-high heat. Add 1.25 lbs. peeled and cubed butternut squash, one chopped garlic clove, and half of a thinly sliced yellow onion. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to med-low. Add 2 tbs. sugar and salt & pepper to taste. Cover and cook until the squash is tender – about 20 minutes. When the squash is cooked, drain it using a mesh strainer and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Save the cooking liquid in case you need it to thin the puree.
Step 2: Puree the squash-onion mixture using an immersion blender. Add 1/2 stick softened butter cut into pieces and incorporate using the immersion blender. Then, add two slices crumbled cooked bacon and ¼ cup maple syrup. Puree just until the maple syrup is incorporated. No worries -- the bacon will stay in bite-sized pieces! If the mixture seems thick, add a bit of the reserved cooking liquid to make it a smooth consistency. I added about ¼ cup of the cooking liquid, but your mileage may vary. Transfer the butternut puree to a buttered oven-proof casserole dish.
Step 3: Combine 1 cup breadcrumbs, ¼ cup grated parmesan, and 2 tbs. olive oil in a small bowl. Stir to evenly coat the breadcrumbs with the oil. Sprinkle on top of the butternut puree. Place the casserole in the oven and turn on the broiler. Broil until the breadcrumb topping is golden-brown. Keep a close eye on the dish as it broils…it only takes a second for it to go from browned to burnt!
This butternut puree is absolutely fabulous: it’s sweet and full of buttery flavor…and the one-two punch of maple syrup and smoky bacon gives it an addictive background flavor. I paired this side dish with roasted pork tenderloin and a simple salad for dinner one evening last week. It was a big hit with us, and I can’t wait to share it with our extended family on Christmas Day. If you love sweet potato casserole, give this dish a try instead for a change of pace…I promise you won’t be disappointed!
For my Texas readers, Perry’s also wanted me to mention that they’re currently taking reservations for a special New Year’s Eve dinner. For $74.95 per person after 600 p.m., you’ll receive a three-course dinner menu of soup or salad, entree, and dessert. The menu features some of Perrys most popular signature menu items. Michael and I will be Perrys guests for a late dinner and a midnight celebration welcoming 2013 at the La Cantera location here in San Antonio. I’m so excited! We usually ring in the new year at home in our pajamas, so getting dressed up and enjoying a festive meal before counting down to midnight with a champagne toast at their adjoining Bar 79 will be so much fun! Rest assured…we’ll be taking our camera so I can share all the fun with you the next day!!
Founded in 1979, Perry’s is a Houston-based, family-owned business that operates Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille, with nine locations in Houston, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio. For more information, please visit PerrysSteakhouse.com.
Thursday, February 12, 2015
Secret Recipe Club Holiday Cookie Carnival Featuring Salted Peanut Butter Cookies with Snickers
After looking at my calendar today, its slowing sinking in: Christmas is NEXT WEEK! Im woefully behind on my shopping this year, but plan to work on completing it this week. At least my decorating is done...and Ive narrowed down my cooking and baking list. Today, Secret Recipe Club is sharing some fabulous holiday cookies as part of our Cookie Carnival. I was so happy to be paired with my #SundaySupper friend Susan from The Wimpy Vegetarian. She always shares such great recipes -- and her photographs are just mouthwatering! I knew that I wanted something a bit different...and easy...for this fun event. I knew I had found just what I was looking for with her Salted Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Nuggets. These are seriously the easiest and most delicious peanut butter cookies Ive ever tasted -- and Im crazy about their salty-sweet flavor combination. The only change I made to Susans recipe was to use bite-size Snickers candies in place of chocolate chips. My officemate Kim makes amazing chocolate chip cookies with pieces of Snickers, and I thought it would work really well here too. These cookies are truly swoon-worthy! Anyone who loves true peanut butter flavor will flip for these cookies. Im also betting that Santa would love to find a plate of these waiting on Christmas Eve!
Salted Peanut Butter Cookies
with Snickers
adapted from The Wimpy Vegetarian
Ingredients (makes 15 medium-sized cookies):
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 tsp. sea salt flakes
- 15 Snickers bites
Directions:
Step 1: Preheat oven to 350. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment and set aside. Using a mixer, cream together the brown sugar, egg, baking soda, and vanilla extract. The mixture will begin to foam up a bit, so dont panic! Add the peanut butter and mix in completely -- a nice dough will form. Fold in the Snickers pieces with a sturdy spoon or spatula.
Step 2: Using a small cookie scoop, place 15 rounds of dough on the prepared baking sheets. Leave about 1.5 inches between each cookie. Make sure that each cookie has one Snickers bite. Lightly sprinkle the top of each cookie with a sprinkle of the sea salt flakes.
Step 3: Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the surface of the cookie feels firm. The cookies will look very soft -- but thats normal. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and let the cookies cool on the baking sheet to firm up. I let my cookies cool for 30 minutes before moving them to a serving plate. As the cookies cool, they morph into the perfect chewy cookie.
These cookies are seriously a win-win: easy to make, excellent texture, and a great combination of salty and sweet! The cookies are moist and chewy, and the addition of the Snickers took them right over the edge -- during baking, the candy pieces melt. The end result is a bit of caramel, nuts, chocolate, and nougat in each bite. These cookies were a huge hit in my office, and I cant wait to make another batch for my Christmas cookie tray!
Be sure to check out all of the great holiday cookies that my Secret Recipe Club friends are sharing today. Weve got something for everyone...and they all would make a fabulous addition to any holiday cookie tray!
An InLinkz Link-up
Holiday Menu Item Turkey Two Ways Part I Turkey for Two Herb Roasted Turkey Breast
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| Turkey for Two: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast |
This turkey was so tender and juicy it was falling apart. I used a fresh 5-pound Butterball bone-in turkey breast, which is perfect for 2 to 4 people. For 2 people, there will be leftovers and leftover turkey makes a great sandwich the next day or even a turkey pot pie.
This recipe was definitely inspired by Ina Gartens Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast with just a few modifications because Im not in my normal kitchen and didnt have everything at my disposal.
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| Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast |
I used an adjustable rack fitted inside a disposable pan to roast the turkey breast.
Turkey for Two: Herb-Roasted Turkey Breast
adapted from Ina Garten
Serves 2-4
Oven 325 degrees F
Ingredients:
5-pound bone-in turkey breast (I used a fresh Butterball)
2 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
4 leaves fresh sage, minced
2 Tablespoons fresh rosemary, leaves only
1 Tablespoon fresh thyme, leaves only
2 large cloves fresh garlic, minced
1 Tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
kosher salt
fresh cracked pepper
1 cup white wine
Pat turkey breast dry with paper towels, then place skin side up on rack in shallow roasting pan.
In small bowl mix butter, sage, rosemary, thyme, and garlic. Using your hands place some of the butter mixture under the skin of the breast and spread the rest evenly on top. Pour the olive oil in the palm of your hand, rub together then pat the outside of the turkey to distribute. Then sprinkle with salt and pepper, including the cavity.
As I often do, I forgot to add the garlic to the butter mixture until just after I had placed in the oven. I quickly pulled it out, added it at that time, and it was fine.
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| place some of the butter mixture under the skin |
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| spread the rest evenly on top |
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| with the garlic, the way it should have been |
Pour the wine in the bottom of the pan and place in oven. Roast for 2 to 2 1/2 hours until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the muscle reads 170 degrees F. If turkey is browning too much, cover loosely with aluminum foil. When turkey is done, remove from oven and allow to rest for about 10 minutes before serving.
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| just out of the oven |
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| So juicy and tender, and the rosemary really comes through. |
Stay tuned for Part II of Turkey Two Ways.. Turkey for 10 with a Twist.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
November Foodie Contributor Program Featuring Party Ready Holiday Appetizers
Check out Party-Ready Holiday Appetizers
by Wendy Wofford-Garcia at Foodie.comNovember...Thanksgiving is next week (!!), which marks the official kickoff of the holidays season. If youre like me, that means lots of parties between Thanksgiving and New Years Eve. It doesnt have to be a reason to panic if youve got a stash of party-ready holiday appetizers at your disposal. Whether youre hosting a party or are asked to bring an appetizer to a potluck, Ive got you covered.
Ive got everything from dips to festive red-and-green colored appetizers...and even a veg-friendly option. Many of the appetizers in my collection can be made a day or so ahead, which is a great time saver...and a stress reliever. Check out my collection of Party-Ready Holiday Appetizers...and give them a try!! If you see something you like in the slideshow above, simply click on the picture to access the recipe!
Disclosure: This recipe collection is a compensated post for Mode Foodie. All opinions expressed are solely my own.
Holiday Menu Item More Suggestions
In case youre looking for a few additional ideas for menu items to add to your holiday meal - here are some more of my favorites..
Breakfast: Hash Brown Potato Pancakes
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| Hash Brown Potato Pancakes |
Appetizer: Creamy Artichoke Habanero Dip
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| Creamy Artichoke Habanero Dip |
Salad: Aarti Sequeiras Massaged Kale Salad
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| Aarti Sequeiras Massaged Kale Salad |
Accompaniment: Peas Au Gratin
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| Peas Au Gratin |
Dessert: Paula Deens Crunch Top Apple Pie
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| Paula Deens Crunch Top Apple Pie |
Warm wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving~
Monday, February 9, 2015
Wendys Favorite Things for December Featuring My Holiday Gift Guide for Foodies!
I dont know about you, but Im finding it hard to believe that the holidays are infull swing and Christmas is less than 3 weeks away! If youre making a list and wondering what to buy all the cooks and food lovers on your shopping list, Ive got you covered. This months Wendys Favorite Things is featuring some of my very favorite ideas to please the pickiest of foodies. Ive got something for everyone, no matter what your price range is. Come check it out!For the Foodie Fashionista
For the Sweet Tooth Foodie
Do you have anyone with a sweet tooth -- or two -- on your gift list? Ive got three suggestions that I guarantee they will love. We discovered all three of these gourmet sweets during recent visits to New York, and all three offer handy online shopping and will ship across the country. If youre on the lookout for creative gourmet cookies, Ruby et Violette has just what youre looking for. Their creative cookies come in delicious flavors like Red Velvet and Champagne Strawberry. The Giverny Box box pictured below is my personal favorite. For $44.50, it contains a dozen cookies in six hand-picked flavors. They come packaged in gorgeous seasonal red packaging and are sealed in clearly labeled two-cookie packages to ensure maximum freshness.
If cutting-edge sweets are more your thing, then Liddabit Sweets is right up your alley. They feature caramels, candy bars and other sweets in a variety of creative and adventurous flavors, including Beer & Pretzel Caramels and The Dorie. Thats a candy bar that features a chocolate sable cookie, salted caramel ganache, sauteed dried apricots and a touch of black pepper. Its definitely not your average candy bar...but its downright addictive! I also told you all about The Treat House recently...and I knew they had to be included in this gift guide as well. Their delicious handmade decorated marshmallow treats come in fun flavors like Chocolate Mint and Salted Caramel. I promise that kids of all ages will love these gourmet goodies! A dozen two-bite treats plus the colorful packaging pictured is only $29, and they ship within the US.
For the Chocoholic
I recently discovered a fun line of artisan chocolates called Chuao Chocolatier. This California-based artisan chocolate shop is offering some of the most creative chocolate flavor combos that Ive seen in some time. Not only that, the quality is superb! For the holidays, Chuao Chocolatier is offering an affordable 5-piece Holiday Bonbon collection for $12.95. It contains seasonal flavors like Peace Love & Peppermint. If chocolate bars are what youre looking for, Chuaos Salty Sweet Bar Set is really fun. This boxed set is $20 and contains four 2.8-ounce bars: Potato Chip (milk), Salted Chocolate Crunch (dark), Ravishing Rocky Road (milk) and Maple Bacon (milk). Keeping with the holiday theme, all of Chuaos gift sets are packed in festive red boxes.
For the Baker
If youre shopping for someone who loves to bake, Ive got a couple of great holiday gift ideas for you. My first suggestion is an essentialtool that I believe every kitchen should have: a Silpat non-stick silicone cooking mat. Silpat comes in a wide range of sizes to fit any size pan. I use my Silpat all the time, and nothing ever sticks to it -- even sticky puff pastry turnovers! Theyre durable and dependable too. They can be found a major US retailers, including Bed Bath & Beyond. Pair it with a matching-sized baking sheet and add a few of your favorite recipes, and its the perfect present for anyone who bakes.
My other baking suggestion is Emile Henry bakeware. This glazed ceramic bakeware is made in France, and its highly regarded for even baking. I have several of their pieces and have gifted them to family members, who also rave about how much they love them too! I recently added a square baker to my collection. Its perfect for making small coffee cakes and casseroles. Because its so pretty, you can serve directly from the pan. This 9x9 baker retails for approximately $40.
For the Socially Conscious Foodie
For socially conscious foodies, you can give a gift and help change a life via World Vision. For as little as $25, you can purchase two chickens in your recipients name to feed a child who lives in poverty around the world. These chickens will provide the child and his or her family with a steady supply of protein via fresh eggs. Additionally, extra eggs can be sold to provide extra income to the childs family. You can also purchase a $25 donation toward a Clean Water Fun to provide clean sustainable drinking water in countries like Niger. If you prefer, you can donate $85 for World Vision to use wherever need is greatest. In return, youll receive a gift of Prosperity Cinnamon to give your recipient. The box is cassia wood carved with an Asian symbol for prosperity, and it contains 3 ounces of flavorful Vietnamese cinnamon. It makes a very nice memento of your donation on behalf of a family member of friend. Each gift purchased via this program includes a card to give your recipient telling them about the gift purchased in their name, as well as the lasting impact that it will have on a child living in poverty. For the Gourmet
If youre shopping for a discriminating gourmet food lover this season, Ive got a trio of fantastic ideas to share. If you have a cheese lover to buy for, look no further than Beechers Cheese. This Seattle-based cheese shop has some of the best cheddar Ive ever tasted. We discovered their award-winning Flagship Reserve Cheddar on a trip to San Francisco a few years ago, and its our favorite cheddar. Beechers offers a wonderful Flight of Flagship gift set that contains Flagship, Flagship Reserve, Raw Milk Flagship and Smoked Flagship. The set is $59 and comes packaged with artisan crackers in a round wooden box. All your lucky recipient has to do is add wine and fruit for a fantastic snack!
My second gourmet recommendation are the fabulous New England specialties from Hancock Gourmet Lobster Co. If a ticket to Maine isnt in the budget, send some of Hancocks deliciuos mail order lobster rolls, clam chowder or whoopie pies! Everything you need for a New England-style feast comes expertly packed. All you have to do is assemble or heat...and get ready for a fabulous meal. For $99.95, you can send the Lobster Rolls & Whoopie Pies set. It will feed six hungry and grateful people. If youre looking for something in a lower price range, then the clam chowder is a great choice. For $24.95, youll receive 32 ounces of chowder thats chock full of clams and potatoes. Simply reheat and enjoy...its creamy and rich. Ive tried all of these items personally and can vouch that the quality and flavor are outstanding.
For the Cookbook Collector
If you have a cookbook collector to shop for, it can be confusing to figure out which one to choose. There are so many options available that it gets frustrating. I have two suggestions to share from the cookbooks Ive received and reviewed this year. First up is The New Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day. Authors Zoe Francois and Jeff Hertzbergs book can teach anyone how to make gorgeous artisan bread using their simple techniques. It allows even a reluctant baker like me to get fantastic results with minimal effort. This is a cookbook that everyone from beginner to expert bakers can learn from. 
If you have a bacon lover on your list, Bacon Nation is a must-have cookbook.This cookbook features smoky-salty bacon in 125 different recipes. It features everything from appetizers to desserts. The photographs are gorgeous, and the recipes are mouthwatering. So far, Ive tried the simply sublime Pasta Alla Gricia and the Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp with Scallions & Ginger. Both were fabulous. I cant wait to dive into this cookbook more for upcoming holiday parties. These cookbooks can both be purchased at major book retailers in the US, as well as online via Amazon.For the Celebrant
One of the very best ways to celebrate the holidays is by lifting a glass and toasting to family, friendship...or even the New Year. One of my favorite holiday gifts to give is a bottle of bubbly or a some nice whiskey...depending on which my intended recipient prefers to imbibe with. My pick for bubbles this year is Mumm Napas Brut Prestige. Since this wine is produced in California, it cant be called champagne...but this sparkling wine is a winner! Its full of bubbles and has a crisp light taste. The average retail price is $22 per bottle, making it an affordable indulgence. Include a pair of toasting flutes and a box of chocolates, and you have the perfect gift to give someone to ring in 2014. 
If youre gifting someone who prefers liquor to wine, I highly recommend award-winning T-X Blended Whiskey from Fort Worth-based Firestone & Robertson Distilling. This auburn-hued whiskey is 82 proof and features tasting notes of honey butter, banana, caramel and coffee. Its smooth and slightly sweet, making it ideal for sipping or for mixing in your favorite cocktails. It can be purchased at liquor stores throughout Texas and retails for $35 for a 750 mL bottle. Theyre even offering seasonal packaging with a Santa bottle topper.
For the Tea Lover
If youre shopping for a tea lover, you cant go wrong with Republic of Teas Custom Tea & Infuser Gift. For approximately $25 (depending on which variety of loose tea you select), youll receive a container of loose tea and a mesh dipper infuser. It comes packaged in a pretty green box, ready to put under the tree. Republic of Tea offers a wide variety of loose teas, so youre sure to find one thats perfect for anyone youre shopping for. I opted to try Jasmine Jazz Full-Leaf Green Tea. The infuser is simple to use, and the tea is fragrant and tasty. I like to lightly sweeten my tea, and I find it very relaxing to sip on a cool Texas night. You could also add a pretty tea or coffee cup to round out this package. One of my friends finds gorgeous vintage tea cup and saucer sets at garage sales and antique shops. That would work really nicely here as well.
If youre shopping for a tea lover, you cant go wrong with Republic of Teas Custom Tea & Infuser Gift. For approximately $25 (depending on which variety of loose tea you select), youll receive a container of loose tea and a mesh dipper infuser. It comes packaged in a pretty green box, ready to put under the tree. Republic of Tea offers a wide variety of loose teas, so youre sure to find one thats perfect for anyone youre shopping for. I opted to try Jasmine Jazz Full-Leaf Green Tea. The infuser is simple to use, and the tea is fragrant and tasty. I like to lightly sweeten my tea, and I find it very relaxing to sip on a cool Texas night. You could also add a pretty tea or coffee cup to round out this package. One of my friends finds gorgeous vintage tea cup and saucer sets at garage sales and antique shops. That would work really nicely here as well.Disclosure: The companies and products featured in this roundup provided me with sample items of each product to facilitate inclusion. I received no further compensation, and all opinions expressed are based on my personal experience using the items.
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