Christmas Cookie Collection

Have you started baking cookies yet? The Holiday season is upon us and the nights are getting longer and colder…its a great excuse to turn on your oven, thrown on an apron and make a delicious mess in your kitchen! Does your family have some favorite recipes that you pull out every Holiday? I have put together a few tried and true favorites below, all Santa approved!

Gingerbread

Gingerbread will forever be a Christmas classic and this recipe from Food. is simple and easy. No need to stick with just gingerbread men shapes, you can use whatever cookie cutters you have and go nuts! Roll out your dough thinner for crispier cookies or keep them thicker and bake for a couple minutes less if you like your gingerbread a little chewy. These are great to let kids decorate with icing and sprinkles. Leave some “naked” and they are a lovely breakfast treat with your coffee…or broken up on top of some vanilla ice cream!

Sugar Twists

This Sugar Twist recipe from keyingredient is definitely not a simple one but is so worth the effort! Like gingerbread, the dough needs to be refrigerated for several hours or overnight. There is quite a lot of rolling and cutting and twisting but if you enlist help from all your household elves it will be a party with scrumptious results that everyone will love! These also keep really well in the freezer. Go ahead and make a big batch, freeze them in bags and pull out throughout the season when you are expecting company or just need a treat.

Snowball Cookies

Snowball Cookies are an Italian favorite and pair well with any hot beverage. This recipe from Delish requires baking staples your probably already have on hand and can be whipped up fairly quickly. They do make a bit of a mess to eat (the more powdered sugar the better) so its always nice when you can make them truly bite sized and they can just be popped right in your mouth!

Sugar Cookies

A Holiday cookie list wouldn’t be complete without Sugar cookies. They are the best, most fun cookie to decorate and there are so many fantastic and creative ways to do so, inspiration below! This classic recipe from Betty Crocker also includes a frosting recipe.

I hope you are able to take some time away from the hustle and bustle to make memories with your family in the kitchen this season. Don’t forget to stock up on milk to go with all those cookies!

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Giving Thanks

Are you working on your menu and your table settings for Thanksgiving yet? This year looks like it will be a little closer to normal than we’ve had in a while and hopefully we will all be able to celebrate and enjoy with our family, friends and loved ones. That is certainly something to be thankful for! Whether you are hosting a large family gathering for a sit down feast or a few friends for an intimate night of cocktails and charcuterie I have put together a few ideas and inspiration for your menu and décor. Cheers!

Signature Cocktails

Let’s get right to the good stuff! Have you thought about what to serve your guests to drink? The bar and drinks menu is a major highlight of many Holiday gatherings and not something to be overlooked.

Beer and wine (red, white and sparkling) are always staples that any host should have on hand. For a Holiday, you might want to serve a couple of other unique options as well. Here is a list from Insanely Good of your 30 Best Thanksgiving Cocktails. There is sure to be something on the list that pairs well with your dinner, desert and/ or appetizer menu…from a Pecan Pie Martini to a Pomegranate Ginger Smash and everything in between!

Don’t forget about your crock pot for festive, pre made and toasty Holiday drinks! This list of 10 Delicious Cocktails from your Crock Pot is full of yummy mulled drinks and other classics!

Charcuterie

Who doesn’t love a good cheese board? These days there is inspiration everywhere you turn to dress up your standard crackers and cheese with everything under the sun. It’s incredible easy but looks so fancy. Here are just a few things to add to your board: Figs, grapes, apples, olives, cured meats, veggies of all kinds, hard and soft cheeses, nuts, crusty breads and hearty crackers. Dips, sauces and spreads; hummus, taziki, etc, are always a welcome addition. A standard wooden cutting board works great for this but unique shaped boards with handles always add some fun or you can also put out lots of little bowls and plates to create a tableau. Don’t forget to add some greenery for garnish; think a sprig of rosemary or parsley.

Table Settings and Décor

Setting your Holiday table doesn’t have to be overwhelming in order to be thoughtful and beautiful. Flowers and other natural elements (grasses, pinecones, small gourds) will go a long way to liven up the space and add some visual interest. Candles, especially tapers; add warmth, light and a general sense of hygge that everyone will enjoy. Adding personalized place cards so you can control who sits next to whom can help to promote a good conversation flow. Not only do they look pretty but they can help you to avoid awkward situations if you know there are certain guests who get along better with others.

I wish you a joyful Thanksgiving Holiday; surrounded by laughter, good food and the comfort of dear friends and family. May your charcuterie board be bountiful, your cocktails strong and your table crowded!

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Favorite Fall Soup Roundup

Has anyone else been craving soup lately? It’s only natural as the leaves start to fall that we add in some comfort food to our dinner rotation. All of those yummy squashes are in season at your farmers market so there are some fantastic ingredients to work with! Here are a few favorite recipes below to get your next pot of delicious started.

Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

This Roasted Butternut Squash soup recipe from Cookie+Kate is easy, creamy and really lets your butternut squash shine through. It is perfect for making the day before and reheating; most soups and stews really do taste better the next day after the flavors have had time to settle in. Serve it with crusty bread or for the ultimate cozy decadence; grilled cheese!

Minestrone Soup

This classic Minestrone recipe from Ambitious Kitchen is packed with veggies, protein and pasta. You can tailor it depending on the veggies you have on hand or add in some ground turkey or beef for extra protein. Makes great leftovers and freezes well too. Serve with garlic bread or honey cornbread.

Creamy Cauliflower Soup With Rosemary Olive Oil

The rosemary infused olive oil really puts this creamy cauliflower soup from NY Times Cooking over the top and is worth the extra time, as are the optional croutons.

Lemony Chicken Noodle Soup

A fresh twist on an old classic, this lemony chicken noodle soup from Taste of Home doesn’t take long to come together and the lemon gives it an unexpected zing.

I hope these recipes have given you some dinner inspiration and that you find yourself chopping, simmering or blending up something new and delicious soon!

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What to Cook for Dinner During Lenten Season

The season of Lent is upon us. If you celebrate Lent (or even if you don’t) you may be looking for some meatless dish inspiration or just something new to throw into rotation around your dinner table.  I’ve collected some traditional Italian recipes as well as some fresh new dishes that may come in handy over the next few weeks.

Pasta E Fagioli

Pasta E Fagioli translates to “soup and beans.” It doesn’t sound particularly exciting but is actually a hearty, healthy and irresistible stew. This recipe from Cookie & Kate can be ready in about an hour and you most likely already have all of the ingredients on hand!

Seafood Salad

Seafood salad is fresh, colorful and can be a side dish or the main attraction. This recipe from Simple Joy comes together in only 10 minutes! It calls for imitation crab meat but real lump crab meat is way better!

Linguini with Clam Sauce

Pasta with Clam Sauce is a classic comforting meal, a nice alternative to shrimp scampi. This recipe from the Food Network is simple, flavorful and makes a great weeknight dinner.

Baked Tilapia with Zucchini Noodles

Everything is better with Zoodles! This bright one pan meal from Taste of Home is super healthy and sure to please. Tilapia is a very mild white fish that even your non seafood lovers will probably enjoy.

Salmon with Braised French Lentils

You can’t make a list of meatless recipes and not include Salmon. Salmon is loaded with healthy Omega 3 fat and is a very versatile fish. If it’s warm enough to fire up your grill and throw the salmon on, even better. This recipe from Feasting at Home is simple, delicious and full of protein, fiber and healthy fat. Serve alongside your favorite green veggie for a well rounded meal. Happy Cooking!

Some great local spots for fresh seafood:

Fearless Fish Market - in Providence, open for walk-up, pick-up and delivery.

Dave’s Market - 10 stores across RI all have “seafood shacks” with good options. Look for the “Caught in the Ocean State Tags.”

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5 Cozy Winter Recipes

Anyone else craving the comfort of a hot bowl of soup lately? Or a cheesy pan of Enchiladas? There is just something about a big pot of something delicious simmering away on the stove on a cold snowy afternoon. Or coming home to a crockpot full of wonderful after a long dreary day. I’ve put together a few favorite winter recipes in case you are hungry and in the mood.

1. Chicken and Dumplings

Chicken and Dumplings is such a classic comfort food dish, you really cant go wrong. This recipe from Simply Recipes takes a bit of time but the end result is so worth it. In a pinch you can also make your dumplings using Bisquick mix but there really is no comparison to made from scratch dumplings, fights have been known to break out over the last one!

2. Lentil Soup

Lentils are a part of the legume family and are high in protein and fiber and low in fat, which makes them a great substitute for meat! This particular crock pot recipe from Well Plated by Erin is vegetarian but you can easily add bacon or ham if that suits you. It will smell delicious as it cooks away in crockpot!

3.Chicken Enchiladas

Chicken, melty cheese, warm tortillas…are you hungry yet? If you’ve never tried your hand at Enchiladas before, do not be daunted, this recipe from Kitchn is simple and truly delicious. Tip: throw in some frozen corn to add a little sweetness and serve with fresh avocado and sour cream. To make dinner time easier this can also be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated until you are ready to pop it in the oven. This one pan meal is sure to please young and old alike (including picky kids!)

4. Roasted Cauliflower

Whether you need an easy side dish or a warm and healthy lunch option; this Roasted Cauliflower Recipe from Orangette fits the bill. Its a meatless option but the cheese and onion make it feel decadent and it really only takes minutes to prepare. To make it more filling, serve with a fried egg on top!

5. Beef Stew

Another crock pot recipe, but this one is for the meat lovers. This hearty beef stew from Butter with a Side of Bread will make enough to satisfy your entire family, especially after they have been smelling it simmering away for hours!

All of these recipes make enough to serve a large family and/ or have leftovers for lunch. Don’t forget that most soups and stews have an even richer, more complex flavor after sitting for a day or so. Lastly, here’s an easy crusty French bread recipe from Life as a Strawberry because everything is better with fresh bread!!

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Eat, Drink, & Be Merry

Who’s ready for some festive food and drinks? This time of year there are always tried and true meals that we look forward to. From family recipes handed down through the generations to traditional meals that evoke memories of years and loved ones past. It is also a great time to experiment with new recipes and flavors. Cocktails are a fun and relatively easy way to try your hand at something different so let’s start there!

Yuletide Moon Cocktail

The Yuletide Moon Cocktail, from cottercrunch , is a red wine (Merlot) and bourbon holiday cocktail in an old fashioned glass. Made with cherries, spices, and a bit of maple on the rocks.

INGREDIENTS

4 cherries, pitted (fresh or in jar)

1.5 ounces merlot wine

1 oz bourbon – gluten free bourbon list in notes.

2–3 tbsp fresh orange or clementine juice (more if desired)

1–2 tsp maple syrup

ice

dash of cinnamon or nutmeg

lemon zest/peel

INSTRUCTIONS

Juice the orange and remove pits from cherries.

Place cherries is a tall glass then muddle the cherries (if no pitter, just remove pits after muddling). This is basically just pressing the cherries with a spoon or a tool called a muddler to extract the juice. Keep the cherries once muddled.

Add your orange juice, maple syrup, merlot, bourbon and mix again. Pour into an old fashion glass with handful of ice. Stir then tip with lemon peel and dash of with grated nutmeg or cinnamon.

Feast of the Seven Fishes

The Feast of the Seven Fishes is an old Italian tradition started back in the late 1800s by Southern Italian Immigrants in New York City’s Little Italy. The long tradition of eating Seafood on Christmas Eve dates from the Roman Catholic tradition of abstaining from eating meat on the eve of a feast day. There are endless combinations of fishes and ways to prepare them. Some typical fishes usually included are: Baccala (salt cod), Clams casino, Calamari, Scallops, Shrimp cocktail, Linguini with Anchovy, Oysters, Mussels, and Lobster. One drawback is that it can obviously be a lot of work to make seven separate dishes. There are some options to keep it simple but still stick to tradition. Click the image below for a one pot recipe from Homemade Italian Cooking that covers all of the bases.

Maybe you you need a break from all of the cooking? I think we could all probably use a break at this point. There are some fantastic local options for Holiday takeout/ delivery so you can indulge in the safety and comfort of your own home. Chapel Grille in Cranston is offering Christmas Dinner To Go. You can make your reservations anytime between now and December 20th to pick up on December 24th. Another delicious option for Italian style dining and takeout/ delivery is Bacaro in Providence.

However you decide to indulge this season, I hope it is both delicious and relaxing.

3 Recipes for Summer's Bounty

Summer in New England means long days and balmy weather as well as heaps of ripe tomatoes, sweet corn, tender zucchini and so much more. Whether you grow it in your own backyard or pick it up at your local farm stand there is no denying that freshly picked and locally grown produce can’t be beat. Now is the perfect time of year to experiment with all of those delicious veggies and find some new recipes that are sure to become staples for years to come.

Summer Succotash

This easy summer recipe is super healthy and packed with colorful corn, zucchini, beans, tomatoes and herbs. Ingredients can easily be swapped out to fit what you have on hand. Succotash can be served as a main dish or a hearty side paired with rice and a protein like grilled chicken or salmon. Recipe from Farm Flavor here: Summer Succotash

Gazpacho

Gazpacho is a tried and true cold soup with a history that goes back to Greek and Roman literature. It uses a wide variety of garden produce (especially all those tomatoes) and pairs fabulously with fresh crusty bread. Tastes even better the next day! Find a great recipe here from the Food Network: Gazpacho

Zucchini Bread

A well made Zucchini Bread is moist and full of flavor. It makes for a great desert or breakfast snack with your morning coffee. This particular recipe from All Recipes makes 2 loaves at once which is fantastic when your family will devour one loaf a day and you need another to bring to a dinner party! You can also easily substitute the chopped walnuts for pecans in a pinch or omit altogether for allergy reasons: Mom’s Zucchini Bread