Tag Archives: Christmas

Last updated by lotpa at November 4, 2015.

Winter Salad with Cranberries and Spicy Pecans

I make this salad a lot during the holidays and on through winter. I will be serving this salad with our Christmas dinner so I made a batch of spicy candied pecans this weekend and stored them in the freezer. Just lay them on the counter an hour before serving so they can defrost. The combination of the spice from the pecans, the sweet tartness from the apples, and the zingy of the gorgonzola with the balsamic dressing is an amazing flavor explosion in your mouth!

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Nutcracker Sweet Martini – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Although I do not have a huge sweet tooth; I leave that to my husband, the Christmas holidays always make me think of desserts and what luscious creations I could make to celebrate this festive season. The fantasy of baking with Christmas carols playing in the background helps set the stage for the perfect holiday dessert making.

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Isle of Pines ~ Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Pomegranate, winters jewel! According to Andrew Knowlton of Bon Appetite, “the best cocktails are the simplest — two or three ingredients mixed in the proper quantities, with passion.”

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Glühwein aka Mulled Wine – Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

December 21, 2012
lotpa
1 comment
Christmas, cocktails, Gluhwein, Mulled wine

My husband has requested for many years that we have Glühwein at Christmas so this is the year he will get at least one of his Christmas wishes. This takes him back to the years he spent in Germany as a young teenager. He remembers the smells of pine boughs, candles glowing, and his Mom making this for the family to share.

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Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme – Potatoes!

Just like the song, these potatoes are a medley of flavor notes and textures. Crispy, crunchy on the outside and creamy, smooth on the inside they are a perfect side dish for roasted beef or pork loin entrees for your holiday meal.

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Santa’s “Special” Cocoa ~ Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

“Santa Baby, hurry down the chimney tonight…..” I made this for my Santa to warm him with his favorite flavors. To make sure that you get just what you want from your Santa, ask him what he would like for Christmas in his special cocoa and get creative.

This hot cocoa is definitely a grown-up version, but you can make it kid-friendly too by omitting the liquor. For a special touch, I like to toast the marshmallow topping under the broiler or you can use a mini torch if you have one. Kids will think it is S’mores in a cup! The pinch of chili powder adds warmth and depth of flavor but not real heat. It’s the mystery ingredient that will make you cocoa extra special. The recipe can be doubled, tripled or more to please your whole family. The more the merrier!

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Pomegranate Champagne Punch ~ Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

Punch is like having a team of elves that keep the cocktails flowing. The holiday season is filled with parties, cookie swaps, and the holiday meal with family. Punch is a great way to serve a tasty drink and free you up to enjoy your guests. Add a decorative ice ring to the punch and you have a beautiful display at your holiday table. Cheers to a happy holiday gathering!

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Partridge in a Peartini ~ Friday’s 5 o’clock Wet Your Whistle Call!

On the first day of Christmas my true love made with me, a Partridge in a Pear-tini. My husband and I like to experiment with new flavors for cocktails and came up with this festive holiday drink. All the seasonal flavors of winter like citrus, pears and almonds come through as you smell and then sip our pear martini. The chipotle sugar rim adds a hint of heat that “pears” nicely with the clean fruit flavors. The rosemary sprig represents the partridge tail and teases the senses with each sip. So much going on, just like the holidays, but with a calmer satisfaction! Happy Holidays!

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