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Roasted Vegetables with Onion Dip and Herbed Ricotta
With natural goodness dressed in gorgeous colors, roasted vegetables with lighter dips are an ideal addition or alternative to a cheese and charcuterie board. When you caramelize sweet onions until they become even more so, you have the foundation for a delicious dip that’s perfect for entertaining, game days and marathons of a new show. Though it’s thick and richly flavored, this dip is a healthier alternative to most as the base is Greek yogurt. The cooking process lends such depth to the onions that I keep the rest of the ingredients simple. As the other accompaniment to the roasted vegetables in this recipe, I make a creamy herbed ricotta,…
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Pistachio Cookies with Chocolate and Strawberry
Dressed up with white and dark chocolate drizzles plus crushed dried strawberries, these pistachio cookies incorporate the classic trio of Neapolitan dessert flavors. The cookies are delicious on their own, but if you’re in the mood for pistachio plus a little extra, consider adding the drizzle and the naturally bright and tangy bits of strawberry. The melted chocolate helps the strawberries adhere and lend their vibrant color while keeping the ingredients natural. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day ideas, offer a plate of festive homemade cookies instead of traditional chocolates. Cut them into hearts as seen here or pick another shape that speaks to you or your loved ones on…
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Mulled Apple Cider Mocktail
Cider intensifies after a simmer on the stove with cinnamon, all-spice berries, and cloves – plus a touch of orange. Chilled and paired with white tea, it becomes a refreshing mocktail that can be enjoyed any time of day. Garnishes of crystallized ginger, rosemary, and orange peel accent the flavors and keep the festivity going once all the holiday decorations are packed away. I use sprigs of rosemary as cocktails picks because they are so fragrant and cozy. White tea is light, bright, and a little bit floral depending on the variety, which makes it a great mocktail component that doesn’t tend to overwhelm fellow ingredients. Both the tea and…
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Holiday Cheese Board
Spark holiday cheer by creating a festive board brimming with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, and accompaniments both beautiful and delicious. When I make a cheese board, I start with the vintage wooden round seen here then build around the moment it will be served. Heading into New Year’s Eve, I thought about the sweetness to be wished for the months ahead, incorporating raspberry jam, deep honey, blackberries, and gorgonzola dolce, which has a buttery sweetness. Aged gouda lends its own hint of butterscotch while truffle-laced pecorino and herb-crusted salami offer bold richness. As you build a holiday cheese board, here are tips on what to include and how to…
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Gingerbread Cookies
Ring in the holiday season with a batch of my classic gingerbread cookies, with patterns that fit your holiday mood. Snowflakes, trees, and a scattering of stars filled my baking racks over the weekend while I made the season’s first batch of homemade Christmas cookies. Since my family always made gingerbread without icing, I decorate the centers of each cookie with cut-out patterns so each one is unique. Save plenty of the little shapes and bake them to serve alongside the larger cookies. With warm spices and rich flavor, these cookies lend festivity to the table with their cheerful designs. Once you get into a merry rhythm of rolling and…
