Congratulations to Sheena Ortiz, the winner of this week’s Meyer Lemon Tote & Williams-Sonoma Giftcard. The grand prize winner of the 5 Quart Yellow Majestic Artisan KitchenAid mixer will be announced on December 30th, there is still plenty of time to enter!
What’s Going on Today: Wrapping up Christmas shopping!
Tonight’s Menu: Spaghetti & Meatballs, Parmesan Dinner Rolls, Green Salad.
Naptime Goals: Start the dough and leave it to rise!
I have our Christmas menu pretty much set. Instead of a ham, this year we are going to try this pot pie recipe from Williams-Sonoma. Our side dishes will include carrot souffle, green beans and twice-baked potatoes and they’ll be some delicious eggnog cheesecake for dessert. I am also going to serve up these rolls with dinner. These are not rolls I reserve especially for Christmas, they are more of everyday rolls that go with just about every occasion.
Christmas is literally around the corner and there is one little girl in my household who is beyond excited. (Does the phrase “pinging off the walls” mean anything to you?! ) We’ve been cooking and baking up a storm and I thought I would share some of the favorite things we’ve been making. These are all things that you still have plenty of time to make and will impress all of your household guests. Let the holiday naptime cooking crunch-time begin!
1. Cocoa Almonds: These simply sweet chocolate candied almonds are perfect for last minute gifts. They take less than ten minutes to make and look wonderful packaged simply in clear plastic bags.
2. Christmas Pinata Cookies: My daughter is a huge fan of these and has been “hiding” all sorts of things in hers. She gets such a kick out of the fact that her Dad will find a gummy bear in one cookie and a Hershey’s kiss in the next.
3. Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies: Leave it to Martha to give us a recipe that is simultaneously sweet and spicy with just the right amount of chew. Tie them up with a sweet ribbon for the perfect homemade gift.
4. Sweet & Spicy Walnuts Nuts: These are the perfect salty nuts for the salt tooth in your life. They also make great last-minute hostess gifts.
5. Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce: I’ve already made five – yes, 5 – batches for gifts. Whipping up one batch is very simple and is great for drizzling over ice cream or giving as gifts.
6. Eggnog Cheesecake: Your entire family will be so impressed if you serve amazing cheesecake at Christmas dinner. It can easily be made in advance and feeds a holiday crowd.
7. Sparkling Eggnog Muffins: For breakfast or, honestly, anytime of day, these gorgeous muffins are the perfect holiday breakfast/afternoon snack.
8. ‘Twas the Night Before…French Toast: We will be eating this classic recipe on Christmas morning. My whole family loves it and it makes my life sooo much easier since I can prepare it the night before.
9. Peppermint Patty Brownies: All things mint and chocolate are welcome this season and these brownies most definitely hit the spot. They are so much fun with kids and look great when frosted with vanilla buttercream and topped with crushed candy canes!
10. Filthy Fizz: Merry, Merry!
This is the latest installment of my Powernap column. The series where I share quick, easy food that can be made for all kinds of situations. Powernaps are short and sweet, and so are these recipes. These are the things I make in a jiffy when I need a quick snack, am in the mood for a recipe experiment, or simply need to clean out the pantry.
It is holiday crunch time and last weekend I test drove a few last minute recipes to make sure I’m all set for Christmas morning. I know we’ll be totally nuts that day and I’ll have about five seconds in the kitchen before my daughter descends on the tree. In the less-than-one-minute I’ll be allotted that morning I plan to shove my Overnight French Toast in the oven and prepare the batter for these awesome muffins.
Congratulations to Stef the winner of the 7 Quart Staub Cocotte in Aubergine.
Congratulations to Chelsei Ryan the winner of the second tote of Meyer lemons and $25 Williams-Sonoma giftcard. The third winner will be announced on Monday December 26th, and the grand prize winner of the 5 Quart Yellow Majestic Artisan KitchenAid mixer will be announced on December 30th, there is still plenty of time to enter!
