This drink has the perfect balance of tart, sweet, and a hint of herb that would be perfect for Thanksgiving or the holidays. Mix fresh grapefruit juice, rosemary sage simple syrup, lime juice, and sparkling water. *Simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar brought to a boil. After it’s combined take off the heat and add rosemary sprigs and fresh sage leaves for about 10 minutes. Take out herbs and let chill.
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I turned my favorite Holiday dip into delicious crostinis for a party the other night. Slice a baguette into thin slices. Layer: Pesto (store bought is fine) Brie cheese Diced tomatoes Toasted pine nuts Broil until cheese starts melting and tomatoes blister. If you prefer a dip- throw all ingredients into an oven proof dish and cook at 350 for 20-30 minutes. *chunk the Brie cheese so it melts throughout. You won’t go through another holiday season without this appetizer…Trust me!
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Oh my gosh. Christmas music and this Tartine for brunch today is making me so happy! Layer the following: Toasted wheat sourdough bread Smashed avocado with lemon juice s&p Arugula with shaved Parmesan and Maison dressing (evoo, lemon juice, garlic, s&p) Roasted Asparagus Pistachios Poached egg I’ll be eating this for lunch all week!
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Nothing says the holidays like a Sunday full of Peanut Butter Ball making at my house. Another family tradition I’ve carried on, and the only homemade item I’ll be serving for my Christmas Soiree this weekend (for 200). These are easy and delicious and I get in big trouble if I don’t have them around over the next couple of weeks. 2 C creamy peanut butter 4 C powdered sugar 1 C softened butter 2 tsp vanilla 2 bags of milk or semi sweet chocolate chips 1 Tb canola oil Take first four ingredients and beat until creamy. Form one inch balls and place in freezer. Melt chocolate chips and oil until melted in sauté pan. Turn off heat and with your hands dip frozen balls in chocolate. Once chocolate starts to thicken, turn heat on for another minute until warmed through. Continue dipping until all are done. Lay on parchment paper and stick back in fridge or freezer to set. They keep well in freezer or fridge but trust me they won’t be there for long!
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Prepping for my big Christmas Soirée this weekend, and can’t wait to serve this mouth watering mocktail! Muddle – Thai basil in glass or pitcher with ice Add -fresh blood orange juice and simple syrup (amounts will vary depending on your preference of sweetness. I don’t like it very sweet so I do 1/2 – 1/4 the amount of simple syrup to orange juice). Top- with sparkling water or club soda Rim with gold colored sprinkles and a slice of blood orange. *simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar boiled and reduced until combined. *make sure to use THAI basil
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Maple Bacon wrapped Scallops for 200 was not a problem at my annual Christmas Soiree last night. Our Traeger Chef nailed it with these beauties! Ingredients: 12 Jumbo Sea Scallops 1/2 Cup Salted Butter 1/2 tsp Crushed Garlic 12 Thick Cut Maple Bacon Slices Fresh Ground Pepper Cayenne Pepper Smoked Paprika Preparation: Take scallops out, pat dry with paper towel and place in a large mixing bowel. In medium sauce pan melt the salted butter and bring to a boil then add crushed garlic. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. While sauce is cooling, lay bacon strips out on a cookie sheet and generously grind black pepper over the bacon. Once the sauce has cooled pour over the scallops in the mixing bowl and lightly stir. (be careful not to break the scallops) Remove scallops one at a time wrapping the bacon around the edge of the scallop, securing it with a tooth pick. You want make sure you’re wrapping it so that there is a flat top and…
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I stole this idea from one of my favorite caterers. It is one of my favorite light, EASY appetizers that has great flavors but won’t fill you up. Layer- Dried apricots Cinnamon cranberry goat cheese (or your favorite flavor) Almond (I used honey roasted vanilla but salty/smokehouse would be good too) Honey (I’m lucky and my fabulous neighbors are beekeepers so we have real “local” honey!) Bon appetite!
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A fun New Years Eve Mocktail and all you need is… Cotton Candy! For this shoot, we used light pink cotton candy and added Lime Perrier but you can add any kind of bubbly you want! The cotton candy bubbles up and is so festive, fun, and adds a bit of sweetness to your drink.
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This dip is a must have at your Super Bowl party! You will never buy onion dip again. It makes a ton and I’m looking for other ways to use it because it’s flavor is so amazing! 2 tablespoons EVOO 2 Lg onions, chopped 1/2 shallot, finely chopped 2 sprigs fresh thyme 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce S&P 1 (8-ounce) package light cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup light sour cream 2 tablespoons mayonnaise Pinch of garlic powder or celery salt Sauté EVOO, onion, shallot, and thyme sprigs for 30-45 minutes until brown and Caramelized. Add Worcestershire sauce, balsamic, S&P, and garlic powder. Sauté for 10 more minutes. Meanwhile mix cream cheese, sour cream, and mayo with beaters until fluffy. Cool onions and add to cream cheese mixture. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving but it’s even better over night.
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One of my absolute favorite game day Traeger appetizers! 40 jalapeno peppers 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature 1 cup grated Cheddar, pepper Jack cheese, or mozzarella 1-1/2 teaspoons Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub (or your favorite spice blend) 2 tablespoons sour cream 20 slices smoked bacon, cut in half Cut the stem ends off of Jalapeño and scrape the seeds and ribs out of each pepper (USE GLOVES). In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, grated cheese, Traeger Pork and Poultry Rub, and the sour cream. Transfer the mixture to a resealable plastic bag and trim 1/2-inch off one of the lower corners with a scissors. Squeeze the cream cheese mixture into each pepper. Wrap the outside of each with a piece of bacon, securing with 1 or 2 toothpicks. Arrange the peppers on a foil-lined baking sheet. Smoke the peppers for 1 hour. Increase the heat to 350 and continue to cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the bacon begins to render its fat and crisp. #superbowl #superbowlparty #appetizer #food #yum #snack #gameday…
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