Tag: #Holiday

Posted in #Recipes

Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

I like to think of apple cranberry slab pie as the winter version of a summery mixed berry pie. It’s filled with four different fruits—apples, cranberries, raspberries, and the zest and juice of oranges—that are baked with sweet cinnamon and cozy nutmeg. The filling is fully encased between two flaky pie crusts with an easy, faux lattice topping so we can peek at the cranberry-colored fruits inside. The slab pie serves 15, so it can be a strong contender for anyone who attends a big Thanksgiving or holiday party every year.

Ingredients for Apple Cranberry Slab Pie

  • Pie crust dough: To make pie crust dough from scratch, take out a large bowl and whisk together 4-1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon sugar and 2 teaspoons salt. Cut in 1-3/4 cups shortening until the mixture is crumbly. In a small bowl, whisk together a large egg, 1 tablespoon white vinegar and 1/2 cup ice water. Gradually add the egg mixture to the flour mixture, tossing it with a fork until the dough holds together when pressed.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the pie filling. Light brown sugar, which imparts a caramel-like flavor, could also deepen the sweetness a bit.
  • All-purpose flour: The fruits will expel a lot of liquid as they bake. Adding all-purpose flour to the filling thickens that liquid, turning it into a sort of glossy sauce. Don’t skip the flour or the pie filling will be a pool of liquid!
  • Apples: Tart, firm apples, like Honeycrisp or Granny Smith, are best for a pie filling. Always peel the apples first, then core and slice them.
  • Raspberries: Use fresh or frozen raspberries here. If using frozen, thaw the raspberries completely, then strain the excess liquid.
  • Cranberries: You can normally find fresh cranberries during late fall and throughout the winter season. Grocery stores will stock them in the refrigerated produce section, but you could also use frozen. If using frozen, thaw the cranberries completely and drain the excess liquid.
  • Oranges: Orange zest and juice brighten the pie’s flavor. You’ll need about two oranges to get 1/2 cup of fresh orange juice, although you can use orange juice from the store.
  • Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon add to this pie’s cozy, wintery flavor. Grate your nutmeg fresh for the boldest taste, and invest in other types of cinnamon for more nuanced flavors.
Posted in #Recipes

75 Easy Thanksgiving Appetizers to Enjoy Before the Feast

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

The kitchen is busier than ever on Thanksgiving, between pies cooling on the counter, sides rotating in and out of the oven and the turkey roasting to golden perfection. Having a spread of easy Thanksgiving appetizers helps slow the pace of the day, giving guests something to nibble before the feast. Rather than adding more stress, these recipes offer simple and quick ideas of what to serve, including many make-ahead dishes, so everyone is satisfied and the kitchen stays calm.

Whether you prefer cold appetizers, like pinwheels and veggie dips, or hot appetizers, like stuffed mushrooms and baked Brie, this collection has a recipe for every need. There are classics, like deviled eggs and bacon-wrapped shrimp, and new ideas if you want to branch out, such as cheese and crab-stuffed puff pastry bites.

If you want to make one large appetizer rather than a few smaller ones, try one of these charcuterie board ideas loaded with nuts, cheese, pickles, sliced meats, crackers or bread. It’s colorful and can be assembled in advance, so all you need to do when guests arrive is set it out, offer them a Thanksgiving cocktail and enjoy the holiday.

Taste of Home

Posted in #Recipes

Aperol Spritz Cranberry Sauce

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Aperol spritz is the trendy summer sipper. As with any trend, variations abound, eventually leading to the holiday Aperol spritz that’s spruced up with cranberry sauce to bring the drink into the colder months. But what if, instead of cranberries elevating an Aperol spritz, the Italian apertif made the quintessential holiday cranberry sauce a little more sophisticated?

Aperol’s notes of orange, vanilla and floral herbs lend themselves well to cranberry sauce, which is already loaded with orange juice and zest. The pairing makes sense, and this Aperol spritz cranberry sauce is living proof. Even if your family isn’t normally a from-scratch cranberry sauce group, this elevated version will change minds. It’s a great make-ahead dish that takes only 25 minutes, start to finish, but creates an upgraded feel on Thanksgiving.

Ingredients for Aperol Spritz Cranberry Sauce

  • Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this recipe. If using frozen, thaw the cranberries first and drain the excess liquid.
  • Orange juice: Orange juice’s sweet, tangy flavor makes it the perfect liquid to help break down the cranberries and plump up the dried cranberries.
  • Dried cranberries: Dried cranberries add a bit more texture and sweetness.
  • Sugar: Cranberries are very tart, so we need a good bit of sugar to balance out the flavors.
  • Aperol: Aperol is an Italian bitter aperitif with a clear orange hue and notes of orange, vanilla and fresh herbs. It’s the star component in an Aperol spritz.
  • Orange zest: Fresh orange zest punches up the orange flavor. Zest the orange in the same way you’d zest a lemon: Grate only the colorful outer skin without grating the bitter white pith underneath.

Taste of Home

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Candied Pecans

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Pack these candied pecans in a pretty container as a gift, or stash them away for yourself, because besides finding yourself nibbling on them as a snack, this pecan candy is handy to have around. You can pile the sugared nuts on a cutting board to accompany your favorite cheese, add some to roasted sweet potatoes or use them to top an indulgent chocolate dessert.

Fresh pecans are light and crisp, and they can be used in both decadent desserts and savory dishes. If you stocked up on pecans and want to keep cooking, try making a pecan pie or maple-pecan pork chops next.

Ingredients for Candied Pecans

  • Pecans: Pecans are obviously the main ingredient here. The crunchy pecan halves will be extra tasty when they’re baked up with a spiced sugar coating.
  • Butter: Creamy butter helps grease both cooking pans, so you’ll want to start with softened butter.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar is melted down into a caramel syrup to coat the pecans.
  • Cinnamon: Cozy cinnamon adds a little warmth to balance the sweetness of the sugar.
  • Vanilla extract: Just a teaspoon of vanilla adds another dimension of flavor.

Taste of Home

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30 Easy Thanksgiving Desserts Everyone Will Enjoy

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Thanksgiving is a holiday all about comforting classics, including a perfectly seasoned roast turkey, creamy mashed potatoes, stuffing and green bean casserole with a crispy onion topping. But when the dishes have been cleared, it’s time to bring out the fall desserts everyone has been waiting for. These easy Thanksgiving desserts take away the need to fuss with intricate latticed pies or layered cakes, but still bring the flavors you expect.

This roundup includes pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, quick puddings, fudge and frozen desserts, including homemade ice cream recipes. Each one has 20 minutes or less of prep time, and then it can be baked and cooled or chilled until it’s time to serve. With plenty of no-bake Thanksgiving desserts and make-ahead choices, it’s easy to set up a dessert spread in no time.

These simple Thanksgiving dessert recipes adapt well to different dietary needs and preferences. Use a prepared gluten-free pie crust or coconut whipped topping instead of whipped cream, so there is something for everyone. Whether you make one dessert or five, these quick Thanksgiving treats deliver all the flavors of fall, with warm spices, tart cranberries, crunchy nuts and juicy apples, while still leaving time to enjoy the company around you.

Taste of Home

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55 Best Labor Day Recipes

Posted on by Reluctant Retiree

Labor Day’s parades and outdoor activities work up a serious appetite, so cookouts and picnics are critical for the long weekend. But this holiday is supposed to be a no-fuss fun time for friends and family, so we turn to the best Labor Day recipes that satisfy without breaking a sweat.

These Labor Day recipes make the most summery dishes with as little effort as possible. Expect long-weekend staples in the form of appetizers, mains and desserts—like dips for a crowd, the best summer sandwiches, some Labor Day salads and classic Labor Day grilled meats—you know, all the good stuff that people want to eat when it’s hot out.

There are a few no-bake desserts on the list for when it’s too hot to turn on the oven, like our decadent marshmallow fudge, Oreo ice cream cake and no-bake blueberry pie. The day before hosting, prep a few easy batch cocktails and make sure there are a few nonalcoholic options for kids. You’ll be well on your way to the most enjoyable Labor Day yet.

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