Holiday Recipes

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Almond Butter Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

48 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 24 hrs. Cook Time: 8 mins.

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. If using optional toasted almonds, be sure you have pre-toasted them by spreading them on a baking sheet and putting in the preheated oven for about 5 minutes. Let cool.
3. Mix softened butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, eggs, and almond flavoring together.
4. Add flour, salt, and baking powder.
5. Shape dough into a log and chill for several hours or overnight.
6. Remove dough from refrigerator and slice into about 1/8-inch slices.
7. Place slices on parchment paper on baking sheet.
8. Bake 7 to 8 minutes or until bottoms are just turning brown.
9. If desired, lightly push toasted almond slices into the tops of the cookies or omit almonds and sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cookies are also delicious as pictured here, with no additional topping.

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Lemon Herb Salted Turkey and Golden Roasted Turkey Stock

Course:

Dinner

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Yield:

12 Servings

Time:

2 Hours Prep, 5 Hours Cooking

1. Grind rosemary and peppercorns in a coarse stone mortar until fine. Add salt and grind lightly to combine. Add sage, thyme and lemon zest and combine.
2. Preheat oven to 350 °F and position one oven rack just below the center of the oven.
3. Remove neck, heart and gizzards from turkey.
4. Separate the dark meat (thighs and legs) from the breast meat cavity to roast the dark meat a day prior to serving while the breast meat is salted and held overnight to be cooked just prior to serving. With a sharp knife cut between each leg and the breast cavity. Set the knife down and reach under the turkey, lifting the backbone up until it breaks between the dark meat and breast meat cavities. Turn the turkey on its side and cut through the back bone at the break to separate both halves. Remove the second and third joint of the wings.
5. Rinse turkey breast and leave wet. Rub the salt mixture on the inside and outside of the breast cavity, cover and refrigerate overnight.
6. Spread half the vegetables and lemon on the bottom of a medium sized roasting pan. Rest the turkey hind quarters (dark meat), neck, wings, heart and gizzards on the bed of vegetables. Rub with butter and season lightly with salt and pepper.
7. Add small amounts of water or chicken stock to the pan to avoid burning and baste with the liquid from the pan and rub with butter every 30 to 40 minutes. Roast for 2 to 2½ hours or until the internal temperature of the thickest part of the thigh reads 165 F.
8. Once cooked, cool the turkey until it can be handled. Pull all the meat and skin from the bones (reserve bones, neck, wings, heart and gizzard) and place in a shallow baking pan with the skin on top. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
9. Place reserved bones, back in the pan with the neck, wings, heart, gizzard and vegetables and return to the oven. Once nicely browned, transfer to a pot, cover with 8 to 10 cups of water and bring to a boil. Heat pan with drippings over a medium flame and use some of the liquid to deglaze the pan, reduce liquid and pour into pot. Simmer for two hours, strain and reduce by half. Reserve stock (approximately 6 cups) for gravy and stuffing.

Directions for on the Day of Serving:

1. Preheat oven to 350F. Remove salted turkey breast from refrigerator and rinse salt mixture from the inside and outside of the turkey. Pat dry, rub with melted butter and place in a medium sized roasting pan on a layer of the remaining vegetables and lemon
2. Add small amounts of water or chicken stock to the pan to avoid burning. Baste with the liquid from the pan and rub with butter every 30 to 40 minutes.
3. When turkey is about 45 minutes from being cooked (at about 145 or 150 °F) place the pan of dark meat in the oven uncovered and pour ¼ cup of stock over meat.
4. When turkey breast reaches an internal temperature of 165F, remove from oven, cover to keep warm and allow to rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
5. With a sharp knife cut each breast away from the carcass and cover with foil to keep warm. Pull all remaining meat from the carcass and place on serving platter. Remove dark meat covered with skin from pan and place on cutting board.
6. Cut 1½’ slices through skin and meat and transfer to serving platter. Slice the breast meat in ¼’ slices and transfer to serving platter.
7. Heat remaining stock to a boil and drizzle ¼ cup over turkey just prior to serving.

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Chocolate Pistachio Drop Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Cuisine:

American

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Yield:

24 servings

Time:

12 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix butter, sugar and cocoa powder together.
3. Add dry goods: baking powder, baking soda, sugar, cocoa powder, flour.
4. Add rest of ingredients and mix well.
5. Drop onto cookie sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for 12 minutes. Cookies will be soft.
6. Remove from oven and immediately sprinkle with kosher salt.
7. Let cool before serving.

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Roasted Butternut Squash and Apples with Maple Glazed Pecans

Course:

Side Dish

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Yield:

Serves: 6

Time:

Prep Time: 20 minutes, Cook Time: 1 hour

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Combine butternut squash, apples, brown sugar, ¼ cup melted butter, olive oil, Calvados, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, kosher salt, black pepper and nutmeg together in large bowl and toss to blend.
3. Arrange in an 8–inch x 8–inch baking dish. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, combine pecan halves and 6 tablespoons maple syrup in a small nonstick skillet. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently.
5. Reduce heat and cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until the maple syrup has reduced to a thick glaze coating the pecans.
6. Immediately spread on a foil-lined baking sheet; sprinkle flake salt evenly over pecans. Cool and break apart glazed pecans.
7. After butternut squash mixture has cooked for 45 minutes, remove from oven and top with maple glazed pecans. Bake an additional 10 to 15 minutes or until hot & bubbly.

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Cookie Butter Sipping Chocolate

Course:

Beverage

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

8

Time:

Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: 10 mins

1. In a double broiler, combine milk, cream, chocolate chips and cookie butter.
2. Stirring occasionally, melt all ingredients over medium heat.
3. For the topping, whip together the cream, sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form.
4. Ladle warm chocolate mixture into small glasses and top with whipped cream, a dollop of hot fudge and cookie dust.

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Holiday Cranberry Salad

Course:

Side Dish, Salad

Seasonal Event:

Holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas

Time:

15 minutes

1. Process orange in a food processor for 30 seconds.
2. Combine all other ingredients (except pecan pieces) with orange in Cuisinart and pulse 8 to 10 times or until ingredients are coarsely chopped.
3. Stir pecan pieces into the mixture.
4. Cover and chill.

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Herb Butter for Turkey

Course:

Sides, Seasoning

Cuisine:

American

Seasonal Event:

Thanksgiving, Christmas

Yield:

16

Time:

Prep Time: 10 mins, Cook Time: N/A

This herb-rich compound butter can really enhance the flavor of your holiday turkey, especially if you apply it under the bird’s skin. By massaging the turkey meat with this flavorful butter, you’ll end up with a delicious, juicy turkey everyone will absolutely love.

1. Whisk all ingredients in medium bowl.
2. Cover and chill.
3. Bring to room temperature before using.

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Glazed Carrots with Walnuts

Course:

Side Dish

Yield:

6 servings

Time:

30 minutes

1. Peel carrots and cut them on the diagonal, about 2" long.
2. Steam for 20 minutes and add ½ teaspoon salt after the carrots are tender or you may boil them in 1 cup of water plus ½ teaspoon of salt.
3. In a frying pan, melt the butter. When it's sizzling add the carrots. Keep heat high. Shake carrots around for two or three minutes until they are well buttered.
4. Add the light brown sugar and orange marmalade and continue to shake the pan. Heat to medium and continue cooking for 5 minutes.
5. Add walnuts and serve.

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Christmas Pear Drop Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

24 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 25 Minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes

1. In a heated skillet cook fresh pears with ¼ cup butter. Sprinkle with cinnamon and cook until softened. Drain and set aside.
2. If using canned pears, drain and sprinkle with cinnamon.
3. Preheat oven to 350°F.
4. Mix 1 cup butter, flour, powdered sugar together and beat until smooth.
5. Fold in prepared pears.
6. Drop onto cookie sheet covered with parchment paper.
7. Bake 15 minutes.
8. Cool before serving.

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Prickly Pear Christmas Cactus Blossoms

Course:

Dessert

Cuisine:

American

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Time:

Prep Time: 20 mins, Cook Time: 11 mins

COOKIES:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix vanilla, brown sugar, prickly pear syrup and butter together.
3. Add in eggs and blend well. Gradually add dry ingredients.
4. Portion tablespoons of cookie dough on cookie sheets.
5. Bake on ungreased cookie sheet for 9 to 11 minutes.

FROSTING:

1. Combine ingredients, add red food coloring to desired shade, and pour over cookies on a wire rack.
2. Glaze will run off and evenly distribute across the cookie once they are flooded.

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Bacon Asparagus Strata with Roasted Red Peppers

Course:

Breakfast, Brunch

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

Serves: 12

Time:

2 hours

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Lightly grease a large rectangular baking dish. Alternatively, this can also be made into ramekins for individual servings. Grease lightly and follow layering instructions below.
3. In a bowl, combine bacon, asparagus and roasted red peppers.
4. Place half of the bread crumbs on the bottom of baking dish. Spread a layer of bacon mixture and half of the cheese. Repeat layers with remaining bread crumbs, bacon mixture and cheese.
5. In a large bowl, whisk in eggs, adding in milk, mustard, salt and red pepper flakes.
6. Pour the egg mixture over the bread mixture in the dish.
7. Gently press down on the layers with the back of a spoon or hands to moisten the bread.
8. Cover and chill at least two hours but up to 24 hours ahead.
9. Remove from refrigerator 20 minutes before baking.
10. Bake uncovered for 50-60 minutes or until puffed and golden. If preparing in ramekins, bake 30 minutes or until puffed and golden.
11. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.

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Dark Chocolate Hazelnut Drop Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

24 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 18 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Mix flour, sugar, butter, and salt.
3. Add eggs.
4. Add cardamom.
5. Add in hazelnuts and dark chocolate.
6. Drop into mounds on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake 18 minutes for a soft, delicious cookie.

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Slow-Braised Aussie Lamb with Apricot Madeira Sauce

Course:

Main Dish, Dinner

Cuisine:

Australian

Seasonal Event:

Holiday, Christmas, New Year's

Yield:

6

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 3.5 hrs

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Heat olive oil in a heavy bottom roasting pan over medium high heat; season lamb with salt and black pepper and brown on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
3. To same pan, add bacon and cook over medium-low heat until cooked. Add onion, carrot and celery; saute until tender, stirring frequently. Add garlic and saute 1 minute.
4. Add tomato paste, Madeira, chicken stock, apricot jam and fresh thyme and stir to blend.
5. Return browned lamb to pan, cover and braise in oven for 3 hours.
6. Transfer lamb to platter and cover with foil.
7. Carefully strain braising liquid through a sieve into a bowl, using the back of a spoon to press out any remaining liquid. Transfer liquid back into roasting pan. Simmer liquid on stove top over medium-low heat until liquid has reduced by 50 percent.
8. Reduce heat to low. Slowly add cold butter pieces to braising liquid, whisking constantly, until all butter has melted and sauce is thick and glossy. Return braised lamb; keep warm.
9. To serve, remove strings from roast, transfer to platter and spoon sauce over the top.

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Holiday Apple Pie

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Yield:

12 servings

Time:

90 Minutes

1. To prepare pie crust: combine flour, sugar and salt in food processor bowl and pulse to blend. Add chilled butter and pulse to blend. Slowly add water just until dough holds together.
2. Divide dough into 2 pieces; flatten each into a round disk, wrap with film wrap and chill briefly.
3. On a floured surface, roll one disc into a 12-inch circle and fit into a 9-inch pie pan.
4. Combine apples and lemon juice in a large bowl and toss to blend.
5. Add sugar, flour and spices and toss until fully blended; spoon into crust-lined pie plate.
6. Dot filling evenly with pieces of butter.
7. Roll remaining disc into a 13-inch disc and drape over pie; flute edges and cut slits in pastry. B
8. Brush pastry lightly with egg wash, if desired.
9. Refrigerate pie for 10 minutes.
10. Preheat oven to 400°F.
11. Bake pie for 60 to 80 minutes, or until crust is golden and filling is bubbly.
12. Cover pie lightly with foil after first 30 minutes of baking to keep crust from browning too quickly.
13. Cool pie completely before slicing.

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Pozole Blanco

Course:

Entree, Dinner

Cuisine:

Mexican

Seasonal Event:

Holidays, Year-Round

Yield:

10

Time:

Prep Time: 30 mins, Cook Time: 3 hrs

DIRECTIONS:

1. In two separate large stock pots boil the chicken (approximately 1 hour) and pork shoulder (approximately 2 hours or until fork tender) adding onion, garlic, marjoram, thyme, bay leaves and water to each pot. Add more water if necessary.
2. Pull the chicken and pork from the pots and let cool. In two separate bowls shred the meat keeping them each in their own bowl.
3. With the help of a strainer combine both broths into one large stock pot.
4. Drain the hominy and add to the broth along with salt and pepper. Simmer 15 minutes.
5. For an individual serving add hominy and broth to a soup bowl along with chicken and/or pork. Garnish with onion, avocado slices, radishes, lettuce, sour cream, oregano and lime juice.

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Lemon Snowball Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

24 servings

Time:

20 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. In a mixing bowl, beat butter at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy; gradually adding ½ cup confectioners’ sugar and vanilla, mixing well.
3. Add flour, lemon zest, and salt, beating until combined.
4. Cover and chill dough for 30 minutes.
5. Shape dough into 1-inch balls; place on parchment lined baking sheet.
6. Bake 15-20 minutes or until golden on the bottom but pale on top.
7. Transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5 minutes.
8. Place 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar in a bowl, and roll warm cookies in it, coating well.
9. Let cookies cool completely and roll in the confectioners’ sugar two more times for that “snowball” look.

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Pumpkin Walnut Risotto

Course:

Sides

Cuisine:

Italian

Yield:

8 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins., Cook Time: 45 mins.

Risotto:

1. In a large saucepan heat chicken stock and cinnamon stick over low heat for 10-15 minutes. Set aside, discard cinnamon stick and keep warm.
2. In a medium saucepan combine butter and olive oil and heat. Add onions and sauté until soft, about 3 minutes. Add pureed pumpkin, season with salt and pepper and sauté for another 3 minutes.
3. Combine rice with pumpkin mixture; mix well.
4. Add wine to rice mixture and stir until absorbed. Begin adding hot stock ½ cup at a time, stirring constantly and making sure all liquid is absorbed before next addition.
5. Finish with 1 tablespoon butter and parmesan-reggiano to give the risotto a nice, creamy texture.
6. Garnish with caramelized walnuts and serve.

Caramelized Walnuts:

1. Add sugar to a small skillet over medium-high heat.
2. As sugar starts to melt add salt and walnuts stirring constantly to coat, about 3-5 minutes
3. Remove nuts and place on a sheet pan to cool and harden.
4. When cool enough to touch break up the clumps of nuts and set aside.

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Vanilla Bean Flan

Course:

Dessert

Cuisine:

Mexican

Seasonal Event:

Year-Round

Yield:

6

Time:

Prep Time: 35 mins, Cook Time: 60 mins

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Set 6 (6 to 8 oz.) baking molds or larger baking dish in 13 x 9 x 2 baking pan.
3. Combine half & half, milk, sugar, vanilla bean seeds and salt in heavy bottomed saucepan. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat. Remove from heat and allow to steep 20 minutes.
4. Place 1 cup sugar in a heavy bottomed saucepan; evenly moisten with ¼ cup water and set over medium-high heat. When mixture comes to a full boil, dip clean pastry brush into water and wash down the sides of the pan periodically to dissolve sugar crystals. Reduce heat to medium, simmer for 4 to 6 minutes while gently swirling pan to avoid stirring mixture until it reaches a deep amber color. Immediately remove from heat and quickly divide mixture among molds and with an oven mitt. Tilt molds to coat sides with caramel before mixture cools.
5. Whisk eggs and yolks in medium bowl.
6. Gradually whisk cream mixture into egg mixture without creating a lot of foam. Pour custard through a fine-mesh strainer into a pourable pitcher or bowl. Divide the custard mixture evenly among caramel coated baking molds.
7. Place baking pan with filled molds on center oven rack. Pour simmering water into baking pan until it reaches the halfway point on the baking molds.
8. Bake 45 to 50 minutes, or until centers of flans are gently set. Remove from oven and transfer baking molds to cooling rack. Chill about 2 hours before serving.
9. Run knife around edges of custard and quickly invert onto dessert plates.

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Christmas Plum Pudding

Course:

Dessert

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Time:

4 hours

1. Sift together flour, salt, baking soda and spices.
2. Mix the remainder of the ingredients and add just the egg yolks.
3. Whip the egg whites until stiff and fold into the batter.
4. Grease the inside of the pudding mold with butter, sugar coat and pour in the batter. Cover the mold with lid or cover tightly with foil. Steam for 3-4 hours, depending on the size of your mold.
5. Serve hot with the hard sauce.
6. For the Hard Sauce: Cream the butter in an electric mixer until pale in color. Add sugar and mix well. Add the flavorings, mixing well and adjust to taste.

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Braised Beef Short Ribs

Course:

Dinner

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

4

Time:

2.5 Hrs

1. Preheat oven to 300°F.
2. Combine the flour, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in shallow bowl; mix well. Dredge the short ribs in the seasoned flour and shake off the excess.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large braising pan or ovenproof casserole over medium-high heat. Working in several small batches, sear the ribs until well browned on all sides. Remove from pan and set aside.
4. Lower heat to medium, add the onions, celery, and carrots; cook until well browned and caramelized.
5. Add the red wine, garlic, rosemary, and thyme and simmer until liquid is reduced.
6. Return beef short ribs back to the pan; add beef broth to almost cover the ribs.
7. Braise covered in oven for 2 to 3 hours, or until the meat is tender and falling off the bone.
8. Carefully remove the beef ribs from the pan and arrange on a serving platter; pour braising liquid through a fine sieve strainer; arrange the vegetables on platter.
9. Bring braising liquid to a boil, reduce heat and simmer to desired consistency. To serve, pour sauce over short ribs and vegetables.

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Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Sherry, Maple and Mustard Glaze

Course:

Side Dish

Seasonal Event:

Christmas

Yield:

4 servings

Time:

40 minutes

INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 400°F.

2. Place Brussels sprouts in a large mixing bowl.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a small saucepan on medium. Add shallots and garlic and gently sauté for 30 seconds, until fragrant and shallots become lightly translucent.

4. Add maple syrup, vinegar, thyme, Dijon, coarse-ground mustard and remaining olive oil, reserving a small amount for topping and drizzling over Brussel sprouts.

5. Transfer Brussels sprouts to a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper and roast until dark and tender, or about 40 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes, toss in original large mixing bowl with sauce. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with remaining sauce. Serve warm.

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INSTRUCTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425°F.

2. Press crust into pie pan and prick bottom several times with a fork.

3. Fold whipping cream into the mincemeat and mix thoroughly.

4. Spread the mixture over the pastry.

5. Sprinkle brown sugar and cake flour over the mincemeat and mix together.

6. Cover with the top crust, making various cuts in the crust and pinch edges.

7. Brush the top with egg whites and sprinkle with sugar.

8. Bake 30 to 40 minutes.

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Roasted Pumpkin Soup with Smoky Bacon

Course:

Soup

Cuisine:

American

Yield:

6

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins., Cook Time: 60 mins.

1. Toss pumpkin chunks with olive oil. Arrange in baking dish and roast uncovered in preheated 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes or until tender.
2. In large soup pot, cook bacon until crisp; remove bacon with slotted spoon and reserve for the soup garnish. Add onions to soup pot and sauté in bacon drippings over medium heat until tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add roasted pumpkin and chicken broth to soup pot and bring to a boil; remove from heat. Working in several small batches, blend soup in food processor or blender until smooth. Return to soup pot, bring to a simmer and season with salt and pepper.
4. Serve soup in large bowls garnished with crisp crumbled bacon.

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Holiday Jam Sensations

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

12 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 30 minutes, Cook Time: 15 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Using an electric mixer/stand mixer, cream together butter and powdered sugar.
3. Mix in vanilla, flour ½ cup at a time, and salt.
4. Stir in chopped almonds.
5. Shape dough into one-inch balls. Place on parchment paper on cookie sheet or un-greased cookie sheet.
6. Press your thumb to create an indentation in each cookie.
7. Fill each indentation with your jam of choice (½-1 teaspoon per cookie, depending on size).
8. Bake about 15 minutes, or until bottom of the cookies are golden brown.

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Roasted beets, Carrots and Turnips with Balsamic Vinegar

Course:

Side Dish

Cuisine:

Vegetarian

Time:

1 hour

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Place beets, carrots, and turnips in a bowl.
3. Whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper. Toss with vegetables.
4. Spread in a single layer on a roasting pan.
5. Roast for 1 hour or until browned or caramelized.
6. Remove from oven and drizzle with balsamic vinegar.

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Chocolate Spiced Shortbread

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

24 servings

Time:

18 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 325°F.
2. Cream butter and add remaining ingredients.
3. Batter should be a heavy dough – if too thin, add up to another ½ cup flour.
4. Chill dough for several hours or overnight, covered.
5. Using a melon baller or your hands, scoop out and shape into balls.
6. Place balls on parchment paper on cookie sheet.
7. Flatten each ball with the tines of a fork, like traditional peanut butter cookies.
8. Bake 18 minutes.

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Homemade Turkey Stuffing

Course:

Sides

Cuisine:

American

Seasonal Event:

Thanksgiving, Christmas

Yield:

12

Time:

Prep Time: 15 mins, Cook Time: 45 mins

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Toast bread cubes on baking sheets until slightly crusty, approximately 10 to 12 minutes. Cool and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. In a large heavy sauté pan, melt butter and sauté onions and celery on medium heat until vegetables are tender.
4. Add herbs and sauté for an additional minute.
5. Combine vegetable mixture with bread, seasonings and stock.
6. Transfer to a deep buttered baking dish.
7. Bake 45 minutes uncovered until stuffing is hot and crusty on the top.

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Chocolate Dipped Peppermint Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Time:

Prep Time: 8+ Hours, Cook Time: 10 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Cream shortening, sugar, and brown sugar.
3. Add eggs and vanilla.
4. Mix in flour, salt, and baking soda and mix lightly.
5. Stir in baking chips before dough forms; mix all together until dough is packed.
6. Shape in to a log, cover with parchment or plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight (or several hours).
7. When ready to use, slice log into about 1/4 –inch slices. Any smaller may make them crumble.
8. Place on parchment paper on baking sheet and bake for 7-8 minutes. Bottoms will be brown - do not judge by the top of the cookie!
9. Cool thoroughly.
10. In the meantime, using a microwave, melt chocolate chips with liquid shortening and mint flavoring. Use bursts of no more than 30 seconds, stirring well in between (3 bursts should do it). Dipped cooled cookies in the chocolate and lay back out on parchment paper to harden.

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Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies

Course:

Dessert, Cookies

Yield:

12 servings

Time:

Prep Time: 10 minutes, Cook Time: 12 minutes

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream the sugars and butter together.
3. Mix in eggs and vanilla extract.
4. Add salt, baking soda, cinnamon and espresso.
5. Slowly mix in flour.
6. Add chocolate chips.
7. Drop dough by spoon, forming 1-inch mounds on a parchment lined baking sheet
8. Bake 9-11 minutes, let sit for two minutes and then move to cooling sheet.

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Traditional Red Chile Pork Tamales

Course:

Side Dish , Dinner

Cuisine:

Mexican

Yield:

12

Time:

Prep Time: 60 minutes, Cook Time: 5 minutes

Pulled Pork:

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. Rub garlic pepper evenly over pork, arrange in roasting pan, cover and roast for 3 hours, or until tender.
2. Transfer roast to a separate container; strain pan juices and reserve for sauce. Cool pork roast slightly. Trim excess fat and pull pork into 2-inch shredded pieces. Reserve.

Red Chile Sauce:

1. Combine dried chile peppers, onion, chipotle pepper, garlic, cumin, oregano and salt in saucepan. Combine reserved pork roast pan juices with water (as needed) to equal 3 cups. Add to saucepan.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes. Cool. Transfer to food processor fitted with a steel blade and puree until smooth.
3. Heat lard in a skillet over medium-low heat; add flour and whisk until golden. Add pureed red chile sauce to skillet; simmer over low heat for 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Combine pulled pork and red chile sauce. Taste and adjust seasoning. Reserve.

Masa:

1. In a mixing bowl, whip lard until fluffy.
2. Add masa mix, baking powder, salt and chili powder; mix until just blended.
3. Add 3 cups chicken broth and mix until smooth. Add additional chicken broth, as needed, to achieve a spreadable consistency.

Tamales:

1. Bring a large pot of water to boiling, remove from heat, add corn husks, cover and soak for 30 minutes or until pliable. Drain husks and pat dry.
2. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons masa in upper center of each corn husk (about 1/8 inch thick). Spoon 2 tablespoons filling lengthwise down the center of masa. Fold left and right sides of husk over filling (wrapping the masa around the filling) and roll closed.
3. Fold up the bottom of husk to seal, leaving the top end open. Place, seam side down, on a baking sheet.
4. Repeat with remaining tamales. Transfer remaining pulled pork filling to oven proof dish, cover and reserve as a topping for steamed tamales.
5. Add water to a large pot with steamer insert. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce to a simmer (making sure water is not above steamer). Arrange tamales vertically, open side up, in steamer.
6. Cover and steam for 1½ hours. Check tamales; masa filling should easily pull away from husk when fully steamed.
7. While tamales are steaming, heat remaining pulled pork in preheated oven at 350°F for 10 to 15 minutes, or until warm.
8. Serve unwrapped tamales topped with warm pulled pork filling, crumbled cheese, a drizzle of roasted red chili salsa and toasted pepitas.