Holiday Recipes
Overnight Cinnamon Pecan Coffee Cake
Classic yet super simple, this longtime family favorite tastes just like a good coffee cake should. The prep-ahead option offers added convenience! Dinner has always been the focal point of our extended family celebrations on major holidays and, fittingly, where much of the time and effort is placed. Breakfast, however, has always been…
Crustless Cranberry Pie
Festive, seasonal and so easy to make with pantry staples, this sweet-tart treat is fruit forward like a pie but somewhat cakier in texture. This recipe is rooted in practicality: Years ago, I had fresh cranberries that needed to be used before we left town for a week. (I later learned cranberries freeze well!)…
Spiced Glazed Nuts & Pretzel Mix
Sweet and spicy mingle with salty and crunchy in this crowd-pleasing cocktail snack that doubles as a convenient hostess or holiday gift. Want to add a gourmet touch to your next batch of chocolate chip cookies – or brownies or caramels for that matter? Dust the surface with the faintest bit of flaky sea…
Fruitcake Quick Bread
Finally…a fruitcake you’ll want to eat! This quick and easy batter bread is packed with fruit and nuts but unlike traditional fruitcake is lighter, less sweet, and more mildly spiced. A name isn’t just a name. It’s an identity, and with that, it conjures up feelings and memories. In some cases, it also carries baggage. …
Salty Sweet Gourmet Sprinkles
Sprinkles are all grown up thanks to this stellar 3-ingredient combination that’s perfect for holiday gift giving! 🎁 The season of gift giving is upon us, and so often we need just a little something to give to a teacher, a co-worker or party host. But it’s fun when that “little something” has a…
Turkey (or Chicken), Kale & Wild Rice Salad
Turkey (or Chicken), Kale & Wild Rice Salad is a healthy, super satisfying way to turn leftovers into a complete meal. Perfect for a post-holiday detox or clean eating (that tastes great!) any time of year. Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃 I, for one, am thankful for family, friends and a loyal group of readers who make…
Roasted Carrots & Parsnips with Balsamic Honey Glaze (or just carrots)
Need a healthy, prep-ahead side for your holiday table? This colorful dish has you covered! Don’t have parsnips? Use all carrots. Lately things have been looking rather orange around here. Tis the season, I suppose! Root veggies, winter squash, and Halloween-themed eats provide a golden glow that feels fittingly fall. (For those who are missing…
Stuffing Balls
Clever, portion-controlled, and a surefire hit on a holiday table or alongside poultry and pork dishes throughout the year. Stuffing balls are easy to make for any size crowd and offer prep-ahead convenience. The term “Friendsgiving” first entered my lexicon the November after I graduated from college, when my friend Megan organized a small army…
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Maple Mashed Sweet Potatoes are vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, and full of amazing flavor. Leftovers reheat well and can even be used for satisfying breakfast bowls. During a recent foray into my sons’ closets, I uncovered a bag of clothes that appeared as good as new. Though both of my sons had worn the assortment…
Roasted Delicata Squash & Pomegranate Salad
Radiant jewel tones make this versatile salad as stunning as it is healthy. It’s equally perfect on a holiday table or paired with a simple protein any night of the week. Feel free to substitute any winter squash (or even sweet potatoes) or use dried cranberries in place of pomegranate! The process…
Pumpkin Maple Vinaigrette (ideal way to use leftover pumpkin!)
Light but flavorful and super speedy, this versatile dressing makes great use of leftover canned pumpkin and might just become a new favorite! When a recipe calls for a cup or so of a canned good like chicken broth, beans, or coconut milk, what happens to the small portion that remains in the can? Lingering…
Threaded Hot Dog or Sausage Spaghetti (aka “Spider Dogs”)
Move over meatballs! This squirmy pasta dish makes a fun project for kids and a crowd-pleasing Halloween-themed meal. For a more “mature” version, substitute your favorite cooked sausage for the hot dogs. I’m pretty sure a spoonful of laughter and silliness makes any dinner taste better –and when the preparation of that meal can…
