Category Archives: Holiday Meals

Apple Vichyssoise

Posted in AP's Favorites, appetizer, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, soup by

DFTSI - Apple Vichyssoise_6495My dear sorority sister shared this festive holiday soup recipe with me.  Vichyssoise is usually served cold but this is terrific served hot, cold or at room temperature.  It is a perfect first course for your next holiday gathering.  You can have a pot simmering on the stove and your guests will  be coming back for more.  Thank you Teddy for sharing this yumminess!  It is my new favorite!

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 1 hour
Makes  approximately 10 cups (serves 6-8 in bowls or 20 in small appetizer glasses)

INGREDIENTS

  • 6 Tbsp butter
  • 3 medium leeks (white and light green parts only, thinly spliced crosswise)
  • 2 medium onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 2 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup dry white wine
  • 1 lb. Yukon gold potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes (the smaller the chop, the faster they cook)
  • 5 cups water
  • 3 cups of apple juice or cider
  • 1/2 cup creme fraiche or sour cream
  • 2 cup heavy whipping cream (unwhipped)
  • Chopped fresh chives for garnish
  • 1 apple, julienne (cut into sticks) for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1 Melt butter: In a large (6-quart) pot or saucepan, heat the butter on medium high heat until it melts and foams up.

2 Sauté leeks and onions: Toss in the sliced leeks and onions and salt. Stir to coat with the butter. Cook for several minutes, reducing the heat to medium, until the leeks and onions are translucent and softened.  Then stir in white wine and simmer until almost all liquid has evaporated.

3 Add potatoes, water and apple juice and bring to simmer. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. Cook, partially covered for 30-40 minutes, until the potatoes are completely cooked through. Remove from heat.

4 Purée until smooth: Purée using an immersion blender or working in batches, blend in a regular blender. (Careful! With hot liquids only fill the blender 1/3 of the way full, and hold the blender top on with your hand while blending.) Purée until completely smooth, then return the soup to the pot.

5 Cool and stir in sour cream and heavy cream: Allow to cool a bit before stirring in the sour cream and heavy whipping cream.  Simmer over moderate heat, stirring occasionally.  Add more liquid if needed for desired thickness.  Season with more salt if needed.

6 Serve warm in bowls or glasses: If serving warm, pour into bowls or glasses and garnish with chives and julienned apple on top.  As an alternative, allow to cool completely and chill in the refrigerator if desired.  The soup can be served just below room temperature (maybe 65°F or 18°C).

Enjoy!

PSST!  You can swap out heavy whipping cream for 1/2 & 1/2 for a lighter version of this rich and delicious soup with no loss in taste.

Spiced Cranberry Sauce

Posted in holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, side dish, Uncategorized by

DFTSI Spice Cranberry Sauce

Spiced Apple Cranberry Sauce

Ingredients:

  • 1 orange
  • 2 cups water
  • 1 tart apple, such as Granny Smith, pippin or McIntosh
  • 3 cups fresh cranberries
  • 1 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp. ground cloves

Directions:

Use a potato peeler to peel the orange rind of the orange. Cut the orange in half and squeeze the juice from 1/2 of the orange and set the juice aside. In a small saucepan over high heat, combine the rind and the water and bring to a boil. Cook for 10 minutes, then drain and set aside.

Peel, core and quarter the apple. Cut into 1/2-inch dice and place in a saucepan. Sort the cranberries, discarding any soft ones. Add to the apples along with the orange juice, orange rind, sugar, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low and cover the pan partially. Simmer gently, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, the apple is tender and the cranberries have burst, 10 to 15 minutes.

Transfer the cranberry sauce to a heatproof bowl and let cool for 1 hour before serving. Or cover and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving. Transfer the cranberry sauce to a sauceboat and pass at the table.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Kitchen Library Series, Thanksgiving & Christmas, by Chuck Williams (Time-Life Books, 1993).
Servings: 10-12

 

Grandma’s Make-ahead Mashed Potatoes

Posted in comfort food, entertaining, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, side dish, vegetarian by


Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 40 minutes

Yield: Makes 12 to 15 servings

 

Ingredients:

15 medium (5 pounds) potatoes peeled and quartered
6-8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup  light sour cream
2 teaspoons onion powder
salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
2 egg whites slightly beaten (or one whole egg)
2-4 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup chopped chives (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes:

In a large pot, add cut-up potatoes and just enough cold water until potatoes are covered; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium; cover and let simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.   Overcooking can cause the potatoes to become gummy.

Remove from heat and immediately drain potatoes thoroughly in a colander.  Return to saucepan; heat over medium-low heat approximately 1 to 2 minutes to dry potatoes, stirring occasionally.  NOTE: Boiled potatoes left in water will start to jellify and may even increase in volume (becoming swollen and watery).  That is why it is important to let the potatoes drain for a couple of minutes in a colander immediately after they are cooked.

In the same cooking pan, mash potatoes with a potato masher or potato ricer until there are no lumps.

TIP: NEVER use a blender, electric mixer, or food processor to make mashed potatoes.Gluey or gooey mashed potatoes are caused by vigorous over mashing, When potatoes are boiled, their starch granules swell.  If those granules are broken too vigorously, the cells release copious quantities of starch, resulting in a potatoes with the consistency of wallpaper paste.

Add cream cheese, sour cream, onion powder, salt, pepper, egg whites, and chopped chives (if desired); blend well.

Spray a large casserole dish with vegetable-oil cooking spray. Add potato mixture and dot with butter.

Cool mashed potatoes slightly, cover, and then refrigerate.

The prepared mashed potatoes may be made up to 7 days ahead of time.  If preparing ahead, remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before baking. Place in an ovenproof baking dish if not already stored in this dish.


When ready to heat the potatoes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Take potatoes out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before baking.
Bake, loosely covered, 40 minutes or until steaming hot in center.

Crock Pot – Slow Cooker Make-Ahead Mashed Potato Recipe:

Mashed Potatoes in slow cookerYou can use this crock pot/slow cooker version, if you need to free up your oven for other dishes when making my holiday meals.

Take the prepared mashed potatoes out of refrigerator about 3 1/2 hours before serving time.  See Preparing Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes above.  Place the mashed potatoes in the crock-pot/slow cooker.  Cover and use low heat for approximately 3 hours, stirring once or twice.

When you are ready to serve the mashed potatoes, stir, and then add some additional dollops of butter.

Grandma’s Do-Ahead Thanksgiving Gravy

Posted in entertaining, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals by


So much goes into preparing the Thanksgiving meal, especially when turkey is on the menu.  I always love shortcuts and tips on things you can do the day before to help ease the pressure on the big day.  Grandma Peggy’s Do-ahead Gravy is one of them.  You can prepare this up to three days in advance and then just add the final ingredient, the  pan drippings from the turkey, right before you are ready to serve.

Grandma Peggy’s Do- Ahead Gravy

Yield: about 4 cups

Ingredients:

6 T. flour
6 T. butter
4 cups chicken broth or stock
salt and pepper
Turkey pan drippings (added 15-30 minutes before ready to serve)

Instructions:

In a medium sauce pan, melt butter and whisk in flour. Cook over medium high heat until flour is incorporated and white bubbles begin to form on the top. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly.

Gradually add broth, whisking constantly. Stir until gravy is thickened and mixture boils. Remove from the heat and season with salt and pepper. Cool and refrigerate for up to three days.

To serve:

On Thanksgiving day, heat the gravy. When turkey is done, pour off drippings into a jar or fat separator. Skim or spoon off all the fat and stir the drippings into the gravy.

Thanksgiving Planning

Posted in advice, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals by

How much per person?

These are approximate amounts. For young children, cut amounts in half.

Turkey ½-3/4 pound of meat*
Stuffing: ½ cup to ¾ cup
Gravy: 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces)
Cranberry Sauce ¼ -1/2 cup (2-4 ounces)
Potatoes ½-3/4 cup
Vegetables ½-3/4 cup
Pie/Dessert 1 ½ pieces

Per Person                                                        for Eight People     for Ten People    for 12 People

Turkey ½-3/4 pound of meat*                       10-16 lb. bird        12-16 lb. bird        18-20 lb. bird

Stuffing: ½ cup to ¾ cup                                        4-6 cups            5-7 cups               6-9 cups

Gravy: 1/3 cup (2 1/2 ounces)                                       20 oz                     25 oz                    30 oz

Cranberry Sauce ¼ -1/2 cup (2-4 ounces)         2-4 cups               2 1/2-5 cups          3-6 cups

Potatoes ½-3/4 cup                                                      4-6 cups           5- 8 cups                 6-9 cups

Vegetables ½-3/4 cup                                                   4-6 cups          5-8 cups                 6-9 cups

Pie/Dessert 1 piece                                                         1 pie                   2 pies                        2 pies

* keep in mind that the smaller the bird, the smaller meat-to-bone ratio so you might want to get up to 2 lbs./person for smaller gatherings.  The larger the bird, the more you will have for leftovers.

Advice thanks to the Butterball hotline 800-288-8372

Carmelized Onion and Apple Tarts

Posted in appetizer, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, vegetarian by


Carmelized onion and apple tartLooking for an easy and elegant appetizer to serve guests at your next soiree?  This recipe is just the thing: simple, pretty and delicious, with caramelized onions, apples and grated Gruyère cheese atop store-bought puff pastry. I think the fresh thyme and chives make all the difference.

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbs. vegetable oil
  • 1 1/2 lb. yellow onions, halved and thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more, to taste
  • 2 Tbs. unsalted butter
  • 1 lb. tart apples, peeled and sliced 1/8 inch thick
  • 1 tsp. sugar
  • 2 – 2  1/2 oz. aged Gruyère cheese, coarsely grated
  • 2 Tbs. minced fresh chives
  • 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme
  • 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper, plus more, to taste
  • 1 package (1 lb.) frozen puff pastry dough, thawed
  • 1 egg, beaten with 2 Tbs. water

Directions:

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Roasted Red Potato Skewers with Garlic and Mustard

Posted in AP's Favorites, Dani's Favorite, Holiday Meals, side dish, vegetarian by

   These savory potatoes are gobbled up fast at my house.  The delicious aroma brings everyone in the kitchen asking when dinner will be ready. I often double this recipe when guests are coming. They can be prepared up to 4 hours ahead so that all you have to do it pop them in the oven, under the broiler for 10-15 minutes and they are ready to serve.

Red Potato Skewers with Garlic and Mustard

1 ½ lbs. baby red skin new potatoes, scrubbed and halved (quartered if a little larger)
3 T olive oil
3 T Dijon Mustard
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
½ tsp. coarse kosher salt
½ tsp. coarsely ground pepper
6 wooden skewers, soaked for 30 minutes in water

 Directions

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Prime Rib ( aka Standing Rib Roast)

Posted in AP's Favorites, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, main meal by

Standing Rib Roast
Serves 8-10
Ingredients: 
  • 1 (9- to 10-pound) bone-in standing rib roast
  • 2 tablespoons coarse sea salt
  • 2 tablespoons ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 tablespoon dried sage
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, minced
  • 4 large yellow or white onions, quartered
  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
Instructions:
Let roast stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 450°F.

Place roast, rib side down, on a rack set in a roasting pan and rub all over with salt, pepper and herbs. Roast  the meat ribs side down for 30 minutes, then lower oven temperature to 375°F. Continue to roast  for about 12-15 per pound until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of roast, without touching bone, reads 125°F for medium-rare, about 1 1/2 -2 hours more. Let rest for 30 minutes before slicing.

About 30 minutes before roast is done, peel and cut the onions in half, then brush them all over with oil and arrange on a large rimmed baking sheet. sprinkle with ground sage and salt and pepper.  Place in the oven with roast. When roast is done, increase oven temperature to broil, move onions to a higher rack, and broil until tops are slightly charred and caramelized, about 5 minutes.

Slice roast, arrange on a platter with onions and serve.

Bean and Kale Minstra

Posted in Dani's Favorite, Holiday Meals, soup, vegetarian by

Bean and Kale Minstra
This yummy soup brings back fond memories of spending Christmas with my sister, Tomi and her family in Washington DC.  We had an unseasonably warm Christmas one year.  All the kids and parents went to the park and played flag football and then came home to a warm bowl of Tomi’s minstra.  Recently, my daughter, Dani texted me while studying abroad in New Zealand, to request “Auntie Tomi’s delicious bean soup”.  This recipe is a favorite that’s easy enough for a college student to prepare and nutritious too.

Bean and Kale Minestra

Serves 6 to 8

½ pound kale (about 4 cups, chopped—we used lacinato)
4 large garlic cloves, minced
olive oil to coat the bottom of your soup pot
6 cups cooked (2 cups dry) cannellini (white kidney beans—we used navy beans)
4 to 5 cups bean water, vegetable or chicken stock or water
2 heaping tablespoons tomato paste
6 fresh sage leaves (½ tsp if dry)
1 tsp salt (or to taste)
freshly ground pepper
½ cup finely ground cornmeal
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

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Holiday Brunch Citrus Salad

Posted in brunch, holiday favorites, Holiday Meals, side dish, vegan, vegetarian by

Holiday Brunch Citrus Salad
My friend Andrea shared this recipe with me years ago.  I made it this holiday as part of Christmas brunch.  It looks so festive and is tasty and refreshing too.

 

Holiday Brunch Grapefruit Salad

2 white grapefruit

2 pink grapefruit

6 navel oranges

½ cup fresh mint leaves

¼ cup sugar

dried cranberries or pomagranate seeds

 

Directions:

1. Peel and cut between membranes of citrus to remove sections. You can do this the night before.

2.  Cut the mint leaves with kitchen scissors into thin strips.

3. Mix the mint  in with the sugar and add pomegranate seeds or cranberries.

4.  Sprinkle over the fruit and stir lightly.

Enjoy!

Psst!  I sometimes cheat and buy the fresh citrus already peeled, cut and sweetened.  Del Monte markets it in a glass jar that can be found in the refrigerator section of most grocery stores.

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