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Cranberry Orange Mocktail with Ginger and Spice
On the cusp of winter, which happens to be peak citrus season, I’m sharing my cranberry orange mocktail with ginger and spice. I love non-alcoholic drinks for the holidays, and with New Year’s Eve celebrations coming, this is a flavorful option that everyone can enjoy. Certainly you might put out some spirits for those who wish to add a splash, but this drink is absolutely delicious on its own. Berry flavor comes in the form of a cranberry spice syrup than can be used in lots of holiday drinks, while the citrus component can come from mandarins, blood oranges, clementines, or your preferred variety. Save a few slices for the…
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Pine Nut Cookie Bars
Festive ingredients and a simple baking method make for the perfect holiday cookie. With pine nuts in caramel topping a shortbread base, these cookie bars satisfy the need for something golden and toasty on the dessert table. Still tender when baked, the nuts lend a delicate texture and their nuanced, buttery flavor. Whether you’re making Christmas cookie boxes, looking ahead to New Year’s Eve, or sharing dessert at a holiday gathering, think about the shape of your cookie bars before serving. They can be cut in a variety of ways with a knife or cookie cutter and always come out looking like lacy gold ornaments. Just be sure to save…
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Cranberry Mostarda
Tangy and just a tad sweet, cranberry mostarda adds holiday flavor to cheese and charcuterie boards, baked Brie, and even sandwiches, which is how I have been enjoying it lately with sliced pork tenderloin on brioche. As the name suggests, mustard lends this condiment its signature flavor. Fresh and frozen cranberries and interchangeable in this recipe, so I recommend stocking up while they are available at the market and freezing some so you can make this recipe throughout the winter months. From cranberry sauce to a linzer torte which makes a delicious alternative to a classic Thanksgiving or holiday pie, cranberries always make it to my table throughout the colder…
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Thanksgiving Gravy with Pan Drippings
Once you learn how to make good gravy, Thanksgiving Day is much more relaxing. Thick enough, still hot, and richly flavored gravy will accompany quite a few dishes on your guests’ plates, yet many of us struggle with this part of the dinner. Drippings can be intimidating to handle, and by the time you’re about to make it, the day often has become quite hectic with balancing multiple dishes, pouring drinks, and generally keeping the mood festive. All of this led me to share my tips on how to make a gravy for which you will give thanks. For most of my life, gravy-making felt like such an art that…
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Cranberry Linzer Torte
With a crust that rivals the best holiday cookie, this linzer torte features warm spices, ground nuts, and a vibrant, lightly sweet yet tart cranberry filling. Topped with a generous lattice that makes dessert gorgeous and rustic at the same time, consider this your invitation to bake up a bit of holiday magic. In place of traditional almonds or hazelnuts, I include pecans and/or walnuts in this recipe as they pair so well with cranberry, though you can customize using your favorite ground nuts if preferred. They make the crust incredibly flavorful and ensure this cranberry linzer torte will be the jewel of the dessert table – even more so…
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