Category: Holiday Food

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Salad

Shaved Fennel Salad with Red Onion & Feta Dressing

Belinda1 Comment

This would work so well as a light, easy and tasty side to a holiday meal.
Recipe by Nicole Papantoniou

Serves 4

12 oz. feta
1/2 cup olive oil
1/3 cup fresh tarragon leaves
1 tsp. honey
1 clove garlic
2 bulbs fennel, shaved lengthwise, plus fronds for garnish
1 small red onion, sliced into thin wedges
1/2 cup toasted pistachios

In food processor, puree feta, olive oil, tarragon, honey, and garlic, adding water by tablespoonfuls if needed to thin dressing.
In large bowl, toss the shaved fennel and onion with dressing; season.
Top with the toasted pistachios and fennel fronds.

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Salad

Shaved Brussels sprouts salad

Belinda

A beautiful shaved Brussels sprouts salad recipe with kale, dried cranberries, sunflower seeds, and Parmesan – and a zippy lemon yogurt dressing that brings it all together. A gorgeous fresh winter salad that’s perfect for holiday entertaining!

Serves 6

FOR THE SALAD:
8 oz curly kale, stems removed and finely chopped (about 6 cups)
1/4 tsp kosher salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1lb Brussels sprouts, finely shredded or very thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
2/3 cup shaved or shredded Parmesan cheese (about 2.5 oz)
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup dry-roasted sunflower seeds

FOR THE ZIPPY LEMON YOGURT DRESSING (YIELD: ABOUT 3/4 CUP):
1/2 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
Zest of 2 medium lemons (about 2 tsp)
1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp honey
1 large clove garlic, very finely minced or grated
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper

For the salad:
Place chopped kale in a large serving bowl. Top with salt and pepper.
Massage kale by grabbing large handfuls and squeezing gently until the kale is darker in color, softened, and more fragrant.
Repeat several times, grabbing fresh handfuls of kale as you go. This will make the kale more tender and less bitter – don’t skip this step!
Add shaved Brussels sprouts to bowl, fluffing the strands with your fingers to separate the shreds. Toss to combine Brussels sprouts with the kale.

For the dressing:
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired. Use immediately or refrigerate in an airtight jar for up to 1 week.

To assemble the salad:
Drizzle two-thirds of the dressing over the top and toss to combine.
Sprinkle salad with Parmesan, cranberries, and sunflower seeds over the top.
Toss lightly. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste and add as much extra dressing as you like. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.

Baking · Chocolate · Holiday Food

Brownie mince pies

Belinda

Paul A Young’s festive hybrid mince pie recipe is a cross between a classic boozy mince pie and a gooey brownie.

For the mincemeat
250g raisins
250g sultanas
50g mixed peel
125g grated eating apple, skin on (about 1½ apples)
Finely grated zest and juice of ½ orange
60g unsalted butter, melted
125g light muscovado sugar (we like Billington’s)
60ml brandy
60ml ruby port
10g ground cinnamon
½ tsp freshly grated nutmeg

For the sweet pastry
160g unsalted butter, softened
75g golden caster sugar
2 medium free-range egg yolks
250g plain flour, plus extra to dust

For the brownie topping
175g salted butter
80g golden syrup
280g golden caster sugar
320g dark chocolate (70 per cent cocoa), in small pieces
4 medium free-range eggs
70g plain flour
Demerara sugar, chopped nuts or chocolate chips to decorate (optional)

Put all the mincemeat ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine. Cover the bowl with cling film, then put in the fridge to soak for at least a week (see Make Ahead below and tips).

To make the pastry, use a stand mixer or electric hand mixer to cream the unsalted butter and 75g golden caster sugar in a bowl until pale and fluffy. Beat in the egg yolks, then 25ml water. Add the 250g flour in 3 parts and stop mixing as soon as the flour is fully incorporated (over-mixing will make your pastry tough and cause it to shrink when baking). Cover the bowl, then chill for 1 hour to firm up.

Knead the chilled pastry dough on a lightly floured surface for 1 minute or until smooth and pliable. Roll out until 3mm thick, then cut out discs using an 8-10cm cutter and use to line a 12-hole muffin tin (the pastry should stick out over the top of the holes by 3mm or so). Chill the pie cases for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile make the brownie topping. Melt the salted butter and syrup in a pan over a medium heat, then stir in the sugar for 3-4 minutes until dissolved. Take the pan off the heat, add the chocolate and mix well. Add all the eggs, mixing well. Beat in the flour to combine.

Preheat the oven to 350F/175°C/fan155°C/gas 3½.

Add 1 tbsp of the mincemeat to each pastry case, pressing it flat. Spoon on the brownie mix (about ½ tbsp) to 5mm below the top of the pastry, to allow for rising, then decorate as you like. You’ll have quite a lot of mix leftover, which you can chill/freeze for another time (see Make Ahead) or use to make a batch of brownies (see tip).

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the pastry is lightly golden. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 minutes before carefully turning out. Eat warm or at room temperature.

TIPS
If time is short, use ready-made mincemeat.

Chill the brownie mix in a sealed container for up to a week, then bring to room temperature before using.

The mincemeat will keep in airtight jars in the fridge for up to 3 months.

The brownie mix for up to 3 months, then defrost to use.

The assembled, uncooked pies can be frozen, then baked straight from the freezer – just add 5 minutes to the cooking time. Leftover baked pies can be stored in the freezer, too, then warmed from frozen as needed.

What to do with the leftovers:
For brownies, put leftover mix in a 20cm square tin lined with baking paper.
Bake at 170°C/fan 150°C/gas 3½ for 25-30 minutes until a skewer pushed into the centre comes out a little gooey.
Cool completely in the tin, then cut into squares.

Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Holiday Food

Cheesy Brussels Sprouts Gratin with pancetta and walnuts

Belinda

This holiday-worthy, crowd-pleasing side dish (you can never go wrong with cream and cheese) requires you to open and close the oven door multiple times, so make sure you pay attention to the visual cues since no oven is exactly the same.

Serves 8

8 oz pancetta, cut into ½-inch pieces
2 lbs Brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved, quartered if large
2 large shallots, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely grated
4 tbsp melted unsalted butter
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp thyme leaves, divided
2 cups heavy cream
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
1 cup walnuts
3 oz Gruyère, grated (about ⅔ cup)
2 oz Parmesan, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Step 1
Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 475°. Spread pancetta on a rimmed baking sheet and roast, tossing once halfway through, until lightly browned and fat is beginning to render, 6–8 minutes.

Step 2
Transfer pancetta to a large bowl; reserve baking sheet. Add Brussels sprouts, shallots, garlic, butter, black pepper, and 1 Tbsp thyme to bowl with pancetta and toss to coat. Scrape Brussels sprouts mixture into a 13″ x 9″ baking dish. Roast gratin on bottom rack until tops of Brussels are browned, 15–20 minutes. Carefully toss to expose green Brussels below, then continue to roast until tops of Brussels are browned, 15–20 minutes more.

Step 3
Whisk cream and mustard in a large glass measuring cup. Arrange walnuts on reserved baking sheet with pancetta drippings.

Step 4
Remove gratin from oven, carefully pour in cream mixture, and sprinkle cheese over.

Step 5
Reduce oven temperature to 375°. Return gratin to bottom rack, then place sheet with walnuts on top rack. Roast, tossing nuts halfway through, until nuts are browned on both sides, 8–10 minutes, and cream is thick, vigorously bubbling, and browned around the edges, 15–20 minutes. Let gratin cool 10 minutes.

Step 6
Meanwhile, chop walnuts and transfer to a medium bowl. Add red pepper and remaining 1 Tbsp. thyme and toss to combine. Top gratin with walnut mixture before serving.

Dairy-free · Gluten Free · Holiday Food

Baked pumpkin with tahini

Belinda

A lovely alternative to your usual pumpkin dishes

1/2 of a small pumpkin, cut into wedges
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tsp cumin
1 tsp cinnamon
1 lime – juiced
¼ bunch fresh cilantro
sea salt and ground black pepper
3 tbsp tahini dressing ( see below)

For the dressing
2 tbsp tahini
1 small garlic clove – minced
1 lemon – juiced
½ tsp cumin ( I roast mine as it has a better flavor)
1/3 cup water
sea salt and ground black pepper

1/4 cup pepitas, toasted until golden (pumpkin seeds)

Preheat oven to 425 F.
In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin, olive oil, and spices. Lightly toss to ensure all the pumpkin is coated in oil and spice.
Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Transfer the pumpkin to the baking try (skin side down). Season and place in the oven and bake for 25 mins or until browned and cooked through.
Remove from the heat.
In a mixing bowl combine the tahini and minced garlic.
Add the lemon juice, cumin and stir. Slowly add the water until desired consistency is reached.
Season, add the lime, tahini dressing, coriander, season and drizzle over the pumpkin slices when serving on a platter.
Top with the toasted pepita seeds

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Meat · Rice

Bolognese risotto

Belinda

This fabulous, comforting recipe comes from Delicious Magazine.

“If it’s comfort food you’re on the lookout for, then you’ve landed on the right recipe. Two of our favorite go-to dishes, bolognese and risotto, have been combined to make a cheesy, rich and comforting bolognese risotto bake. We’ve used a good dash of Worcestershire sauce too, for bags of flavor.”

SERVES 6-8

Vegetable oil for frying
1 onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
3 carrots, peeled and chopped into 1/2″(2cm) dice
2 red peppers, chopped into 1/2″(2cm) dice
2 tbsp tomato purée
300g risotto rice (such as arborio)
150ml red wine
400g ground beef
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
3 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
750ml beef stock
100ml whole (full fat) milk
100g grated mozzarella (the dry kind for cooking) or a sharp cheddar

Heat the oven to 400F/ 220C/200C fan/gas 7.
In a large wide hob-safe braiser, heat a glug of oil, then add the onion, garlic, carrots and peppers. Cook on a medium-high heat, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes. The vegetables should start to soften and color a little. Season with salt and pepper, then add the tomato purée and rice.
Stir over the heat for 2-3 minutes until the rice starts to turn translucent.

Turn up the heat to high and add the red wine. Let the wine bubble and reduce, stirring all the time. Once the wine has reduced by about half, add the ground beef and break up into the rice and vegetables.
Lower the heat to low-medium, stir in the chopped tomatoes, Worcestershire sauce and half the stock, then bring to a gentle simmer.
Slowly add the remainder of the stock and the milk, little by little, stirring all the time as the risotto thickens. This should take 40-50 minutes.

Once the rice is just al dente (firm to the bite), scatter the grated cheese in an even layer over the rice. Transfer to the oven and bake for 10-15 minutes until the cheese has melted and turned golden and the risotto is bubbling.

Tips
Regularly stir the risotto to prevent it sticking to the bottom of the pan, adding enough water to make sure it’s your preferred consistency.

Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Poultry

Chicken Fricassée with morels and tarragon

Belinda

Recipe modified from Rick Stein’s

This one-pot chicken and mushroom fricassée recipe is brimming with indulgent French flavors, and a luxurious white wine and cream sauce.
Chicken with morels is as irresistible on a menu as turbot with hollandaise sauce. These days, I suppose people frown on a savory dish with lots of cream in it, but the French invented this way of cooking and there is something so luscious and comforting about beautiful free-range chicken cooked with a cream and wine sauce with the smokey flavor of dried morels. For me, this dish seems to be the very heart of French cuisine. It also happens to be a wonderful partner to a nice white Burgundy.”

Serves 4

1/2 oz (20g) dried morels
8oz chestnut mushrooms, sliced
6.5 fl oz (200ml)tepid water
1 oz (40g) unsalted butter
8 boneless chicken thighs or 4 boneless chicken breasts, skin on
2 banana shallots, finely chopped
1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
3.5 fl oz(100ml) Noilly Prat, preferably (or dry sherry)
4.5 fl oz (130ml) chicken stock
10.5 oz (300g) full-fat crème fraiche
2 tbsp fresh tarragon, chopped
salt and black pepper

Soak the morels in the tepid water for about 15 minutes, then drain them in a fine sieve over a bowl. Strain the liquid and reserve 75ml for the sauce. Rinse the morels under cold running water to remove any debris and dry them on kitchen paper. Cut them in half lengthways.

Melt half of the butter in a large sauté pan or frying pan. Fry the chicken, skin-side down, for 2–3 minutes until light golden brown, then turn them over and repeat on the other side. Take the chicken out of the pan and set aside.

Add the remaining butter to the pan. Fry the shallot and garlic over a medium heat until softened, then add the morels and chestnut mushrooms and fry for a few minutes. Add the Noilly Prat (or sherry), the morel soaking liquid and chicken stock, bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and simmer for 2–3 minutes.

Add the crème fraiche and tarragon and stir, then put the chicken back in the pan, along with any juices that have seeped out. Cover the pan and cook the chicken over a medium heat for about 8 minutes or until it is cooked through.
Season with salt and plenty of black pepper and serve immediately with some rice or buttered potatoes

Asian flavors · Baking · Do-ahead · Holiday Food

Butterscotch pie with curry crust

Belinda

Recipe from Bon Appetite
Curry crust? Trust me: This lightly spiced crumb will win Best in Show. If you want to take it even further, add a teaspoon of toasted crushed cumin seeds, too.

Curry crumb crust
1 tsp fennel seeds
8 oz. vanilla wafer cookies
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tbsp raw sugar or granulated sugar
1 tsp Madras curry powder
¼ tsp kosher salt
6 tbsp (¾ stick) unsalted butter, melted, slightly cooled

Filling and Assembly
1 envelope unflavored powdered gelatin
1½ cups whole milk, divided
3 tbsp granulated sugar
½ vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup (packed) dark brown sugar, divided
⅛ tsp baking soda
3 large egg yolks
2 tbsp cornstarch
3 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tbsp mild-flavored (light) molasses
½ tsp kosher salt
Unsweetened whipped cream (for serving)
½ cup chopped salted, dry-roasted cashews

Curry crumb crust
Place a rack in middle of oven and preheat to 325°.
Toast fennel seeds in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a small plate; let cool, then finely chop.

Pulse cookies in a food processor until very fine crumbs form (you should have about 2 cups). Add fennel seeds, flour, raw sugar, curry powder, and salt and pulse to combine. Add butter and pulse until mixture is the consistency of wet sand.

Transfer mixture to a 9” pie dish. Using a measuring cup, press firmly onto bottom and up sides of pie dish. Place pie dish on a rimmed baking sheet and bake crust, rotating halfway through, until dry and set, 20–25 minutes. Transfer pie dish to a wire rack and let crust cool.

DO AHEAD: Crust can be baked 1 day ahead. Store wrapped tightly at room temperature.

Filling and Assembly

Place gelatin and 2 Tbsp. milk in a small bowl; let stand until gelatin is softened, 5–10 minutes.

Place granulated sugar in a medium saucepan; scrape in seeds from vanilla bean and add pod. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until sugar is melted, then cook, stirring occasionally, until mixture turns amber in color, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and slowly add cream (mixture will bubble vigorously), stirring until smooth. Return to heat and add ½ cup brown sugar and remaining milk. Cook, stirring, until sugar is dissolved and caramel mixture begins to steam, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, add baking soda, and whisk until bubbles subside; remove pod and discard.

Whisk egg yolks, cornstarch, and remaining ¼ cup brown sugar in a medium bowl. Gradually whisk in half of warm caramel mixture. Pour egg-yolk mixture into caramel mixture in saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly; reduce heat to low and cook, whisking constantly, until thickened, 2 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in gelatin mixture, butter, molasses, and salt, whisking until butter is melted and mixture is smooth. Transfer filling to a large bowl and chill, stirring occasionally, until slightly cooled and thickened, about 1 hour. (Stirring and cooling pudding before chilling in crust will give it a luscious, creamy texture.)

Pour butterscotch filling into crust, smoothing top if needed. Chill until set, at least 2 hours.

Just before serving, spoon whipped cream over pie and top with cashews.

DO AHEAD: Pie can be made (without whipped cream) 2 days ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

Dairy-free · Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Holiday Food · Nuts · Vegetable sides · Vegetable-related · Whole30 compliant

Leeks in Vinaigrette with Walnuts and Tarragon

Belinda

Recipe from Bon Appetite

Cutting the leeks into rounds is an update on the classic presentation—and makes them easier to serve to a crowd.I adore leeks and this is a super recipe that’s not as rich as creamed leeks

1 cup walnuts
½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
6 large leeks, tough outer layer removed
1 garlic clove, finely grated
¼ cup white wine vinegar
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tbsp plus 1 tsp whole grain mustard
⅓ cup coarsely chopped tarragon
Freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 350°. Toast walnuts on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing once, until golden brown, 6–8 minutes. Let cool, then coarsely chop. Transfer to a small bowl and toss with oil; season with salt.

Trim root ends of leeks and 1″ from the dark green tops. Cut leeks into ½”-thick rounds (the dark green parts won’t be rounds, but that’s okay). Rinse well.

Cook leeks in a large pot of boiling salted water until meltingly tender, 12–15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and pat dry.

Whisk garlic, vinegar, and Dijon and whole grain mustards in a small bowl; season vinaigrette with salt.

Arrange leeks on a platter; drizzle with vinaigrette and let sit at least 10 minutes (the longer, the better).

Just before serving, scatter walnut mixture over leeks and top with tarragon and lots of pepper.

Do Ahead: Leeks (without walnut mixture and tarragon) can be marinated 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.

Asian flavors · Dessert · Do-ahead · Fruit · Holiday Food

Mango Pie. (An Indian twist on pumpkin pie)

Belinda

This mouthwatering mango dessert from Samin Nosrat is an Indian take on a traditional Thanksgiving pie.

Serves 16

For the cookie base
280g/10oz digestive biscuits (UK) or graham crackers (USA)
65g/2¼oz granulated sugar
¼ tsp ground cardamom
128g/4½oz unsalted butter, melted
large pinch sea salt

For the mango custard filling
100g/3½ oz granulated sugar
2 tbsp plus ¼ tsp powdered gelatine
120ml/4fl oz double (heavy) cream
115g/4 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
850g tin Alfonso mango pulp (Available on Amazon)
large pinch sea salt

To make the cookie base, finely crush the cookies by putting into a sealed plastic bag and bashing with a rolling pin (alternatively, pulse to crumbs using a food processor). Transfer to a mixing bowl and add the sugar, cardamom and salt, stirring well to combine.

Pour the melted butter over the cookie crumbs and mix, until thoroughly combined. Put half the crumb mixture in a 23cm/9in metal pie tin, and press evenly with your fingers. Build up the sides of the tin, compressing the base as much as possible to prevent it crumbling. Repeat with the rest of the mixture in the second tin.

Preheat the oven to 160C/325F/Gas 3. Put the pie bases in the freezer for 15 minutes. Remove and bake for 12 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To make the filling, pour 177ml/6fl oz of cold water into a large bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the gelatine with half the sugar and sprinkle over the water. Leave to stand for a couple of minutes.

Meanwhile, whip the cream with the remaining sugar to form medium stiff peaks. Set aside.

Heat about a quarter of the mango pulp in a saucepan over a medium-low heat, until just warm. Make sure you do not boil it. Pour into the gelatine mixture and whisk, until well combined. The gelatine should dissolve completely. Gradually whisk in the remaining mango pulp.

Beat the cream cheese in a bowl, until soft and smooth. Add to the mango mixture with the salt. Blend the mixture using a hand blender, until completely smooth. Gently tap the bowl on the kitchen counter once or twice to pop any air bubbles.

Fold about a quarter of the mango mixture into the whipped cream using a spatula. Repeat with the rest of the cream, until no streaks remain.

Divide the filling between the cooled bases, using a rubber spatula to smooth out the filling. Refrigerate overnight, or for at least 5 hours, until firm and chilled.

Recipe Tips
This recipe makes two pies, so halve the ingredients if you’re not feeding a crowd.