holiday entertaining – In Good Taste

Iced Eggnog Cookies

Maris Callahan — Mon, 21 Dec 2015 05:07:53 +0000

Eggnog lovers can take their holiday spirit to go now with these cookies, made with lots of warm spices, eggnog and finished with buttery, rum-laced icing. I love Christmas. Though I was raised by one Jewish and one Catholic parent, I’ve never identified with either religion and to an extent, have even struggled to fit spirituality into my life. I find the history of religions fascinating and of course, respect those who practice it, but I’ve never identified with the principles of either religion that I was exposed to growing up. Religion is a highly personal topic, and you probably came here for a cookie recipe, so instead of waxing on about what I don’t believe, I want to talk about what I do believe in: tradition, gratitude, love and celebration. I understand the religious significance of Christmas, and I realize a lot of people oppose the commercialization of a day that is supposed to be extremely holy, but I love the ceremony around the season: I think the decorations are beautiful, I love hosting and attending holiday parties, baking and sharing holiday treats and shopping for gifts that will make other people smile. I also love tradition and learning about how my friends and […]

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Italian Stuffed Chicken Breasts with Mozzarella and Sopressata

Maris Callahan — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 15:26:10 +0000

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.Messaging below is intended for ages 21+ and is intended to be enjoyed responsibly, in moderation. #PairsWellWithHolidays #CollectiveBias If you entertain frequently during the holidays, then December is either your favorite consecutive 31 days or your living nightmare. Hopefully you fall into the former category and take the holiday season as an opportunity to show your loved ones how much you care by plying them with lots of delicious food and drinks. While there is always a time and a place for holiday classics like peppermint eggnog, spirited cinnamon eggnog and cranberry cheddar cheese ball with pecans, the holidays are also about breaking bread with family and friends over dinner, which can be as simple as a roast chicken or as elaborate as these Italian stuffed chicken breasts with pesto, mozzarella and Sopressata Italian Salami. When I think of entertaining, one of the first things I think about is wine, cheese and charcuterie (why these haven’t been made into individual food groups yet, I refuse to understand). The thing is, charcuterie pairs really well with wine and cheese, but just like cheese pairs really well with breakfast, […]

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DIY Holiday Centerpiece Tips

Maris Callahan — Mon, 16 Nov 2015 06:00:15 +0000

When you’re done shopping, wrapping and cooking, get crafting. The holiday season is usually so overwhelming and busy that it’s hard to get down to the things that you are really interested in doing –which, admit it or not, for most of us, is crafting. If you’re new to the art supplies aisle in Michael’s, start with a simple, fun DIY holiday centerpiece. David Yates, interior designer and a member of the HomeAdvisor network, suggests borrowing inspiration from a few different design concepts, which can be mixed and matched based on your personal taste. Mirror Image “Use an oval mirror as a tabletop decoration,” said Yates. Mirrors can add dimension and reflect light, especially during evening events. “Add miniature houses and figures such as skaters and dust it all with confectioner’s sugar for a snowy scene,” said Yates. Festive Florals If you typically decorate your tables and fill your centerpieces with seasonal floral arrangements, add a pop of color to your vase. Yates suggests arranging different styles of stem water glasses in the center of your table, adding red or green dye to the water for a fun, color-coordinated setting. In larger vases, float votive candles inside to create a serene vibe. […]

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