What fun it was to join NBC this morning for our Ho-ho-Homeade Holidays segment.
We set the table with my favorite white porcelain tiered towers and my go to square plates and bowls stacked as instant cake stands – all from Pampered Chef.
Can’t throw a party without them, I am afraid.
Today’s menu was a new, updated twist on old classic favorites, both savory and sweet.
Ruben Sticks – yum.
Four ingredients: narrow strips of Turkey Pastrami (nitrite free of course), fresh organic Arugula, bakery fresh breadsticks and greek yogurt based Thousand Island dressing (in the produce aisle).
I layer the pastrami and arugula in advance, and wrap the breadsticks an hour before the party begins.
Ceasar Skewars – Parm slice, Romaine wrapped Cherry Tomato, Foccacia Crouton, yogurt based Caesar dressing, short “brochette” skewars.
Easy to prep day in advance – adding dressing just before the party.
Figs in a Blanket…get it?
Fresh figs are best, but in Chicago in December it’s dried figs baby.
Wrap with narrow slice of Proscuitto, and tuck Gorgonzola wedge inside.
Easy to prep day in advance.
Dark Chocolate Pom Pom Handpies – made in minutes with the Pampered Chef Press n Seal. Pie Crust (I love the premade rolls in the grocery aisle), dark chocolate chips (love SF’s Ghirardelli), Pom Poms (Pomegranate Seeds) and a spoonful of Cranberry Chutney.
I melted the chips into a ganache last night, which then proceeded to ooze out the tops of my star cut outs. Rats.
Lesson – don’t melt the chocolate chips – let them melt as they bake in the oven, 350 degrees, about 20-25 minutes until pastry begins to brown.
I love to serve these with Cinnamon Whipped Cream, made by adding cinnamon to fresh whipped cream.
White Chocolate Cranberry Pecan Pie Bites, served in mini porcelain vessels from the infamous, but alas, now shuttered 13 a Table, Rue de Rivoli in Paris.
Again made with a lovely, time saving premade pie crust, cut with my favorite mini Pampered Chef biscuit cutter, and baked in a mini muffin pan. Then filled with fresh Cranberries (reduce in water on the stove until soft, then drain) chopped Pecans, and white chocolate chips. Bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes at 350.
Pom Pom Pie Jars, layering graham cracker crumbs, all natural vanilla yogurt, Pom Poms, whipped cream and Pom Pom garnish.
Dominick’s/Safeway now carries these divine demi forks in “faux” silver, fyi.
And the infamous Coffee and Donuts, made with Sour Cream Glazed Doughnuts from the bakery, broken into bits in the bottom. Layered with all natural Coffee yogurt, caramel drizzle, then whipped cream, caramel drizzle, donut hole garnish.
And yes, that, by the way, is my seriously stripped down version of 29 South’s divinely intricate Doughnut Bread Pudding.
