Recipes tagged with « Holiday »
Maple Cream Squares
Creamy maple sugar squares blending brown sugar and honey with a hint of coconut cream. Cooked to firm soft ball stage, beaten to lose shine but remain pliable. Incorporates white chocolate and vanilla extract. Easy to make with clear stages denoted by syrup temperature and texture changes. Ideal for batch prep and freezes well. Prepared using a parchment-lined pan for clean removal. Classic winter sweet treat reinvented with subtle tropical twist.
Spiced Hot Cranberry Punch
A warming beverage using 700 ml tart cranberry juice and 300 ml unsweetened apple cider. Infused with star anise, bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, and fresh orange peel. Brown sugar balances the tartness. Fresh ginger replaced candied for brightness. Clove swapped with cardamom pods adds unexpected depth. Heat gently to meld flavors. Strain off solids before serving. Serve piping hot. Great for chilly days or gatherings. Vegetal, vegan, no gluten, no dairy, nut free. Flavor changes slightly with fresh instead of candied ginger. Apple cider brings subtle sweetness and apple notes.
Drunken Panettone Twist
Reimagined Italian treat soaking day-old panettone slices in a quick limoncello and maple syrup bath. Fresh mango replaces pineapple for a vibrant tang, topped with airy coconut cream instead of vanilla ice cream. Quick boil infuses aroma; soak till visibly plumped, not soggy. Emphasis on texture contrast and layering flavors. Simple but precise. Uses familiar pantry swaps. Perfect for last-minute desserts with a boozy edge and tropical brightness.
Almond Paste Pear Cake
Pears stewed in wine with hints of clove and orange zest. A dense cake packed with diced almond paste for texture. Moist crumb, aromatic from dark spices. Uses cinnamon replaced with clove, and adds orange zest to poaching liquid. Less sugar, more flour for sturdier crumb. Pairs pears pressed against pan for visual impact, cake bakes wrapped stems in foil to avoid burning. Poached fruit cooled slowly in syrup for flavor depth. Baking times and steps shifted slightly to balance moist pears and bake through almond paste pieces.
Roast Stuffed Turkey with Sage Apple
Whole turkey dry-brined two days, stuffed with pork and veal meatloaf mix, rustic bread cubes toasted crisp, sautéed onions and celery. Apple compote replaces plain for sweet moisture; fresh sage swapped for rosemary to shift aroma. Bacon blanket on stuffing. Oven roasted 3+ hours slow, skin crisped, internal temp monitored. Pan juices deglazed with brandy and white wine then thickened with browned flour roux, hint nutmeg. Sauce reduced for richness, balanced salt pepper. Traditional sides fit but optional. Sensory cues prime doneness—skin golden, juices clear, meat firm. Recipe tweaked for texture, depth, aroma; timing adjusted +/- 5%. Terrain for confident hands and eyes—trust senses over clocks.
Mushroom Buckwheat Wellington
Vegetarian Wellington based on mushrooms and buckwheat, wrapped in homemade semi-puff pastry. Includes Swiss chard leaves, sautéed shallots and garlic, with morille mushroom sauce. Panko breadcrumbs add texture. Wine and broth reduction for depth. Baking involves chilling dough and fillings. Assembly includes rolling stuffing in chard, encasing in pastry, applying egg wash, and baking until golden. Sauce with rehydrated morilles thickened with toasted flour. Serves six to eight with optional green salad.
Russian Marshmallow Cake
A layered cake with a light sponge, a fluffy marshmallow center made using gelatin and condensed milk, topped with a silky chocolate glaze. Modified ingredient amounts with a hint of orange zest in the marshmallow. Baking and chilling times adjusted for texture. Uses rice flour instead of all-purpose for a delicate crumb. The marshmallow has a bit of vanilla replacement with almond extract. A balance of sweetness and slight citrus zing. The cocoa glaze slightly tweaked with espresso powder for depth.
Spiced Rum Eggnog Crème Brûlée
A creamy custard infused with warm spices and spiced rum. Uses less cream, increases the egg content slightly. Cinnamon and nutmeg retained but clove replaced with star anise for a twist. Brown sugar replaces half the granulated sugar. Cooked gently in a water bath at a slightly lower temperature. Topped with caramelized sugar for classic brûlée crunch. Requires chilling to set custard and allows flavors to meld. Four servings. A winter dessert with a boozy festive kick.
Turkey Roast Stuffed Pear Cranberry
A turkey breast roast stuffed with a pork, pear, and cranberry filling. Canneberges or fresh cranberries burst soft. Garlic and onion cooked down in butter. Pork browned with olive oil, pears added. White wine and broth reduce almost dry. Breadcrumbs and nutmeg join. The turkey breast opened flat, stuffed, tied tight. Browned in oil then oven-roasted at higher heat, then lowered. Cook until 75°C inside. Rest, slice. Serve with almond sauce or cranberry crumble, white wine beans, or baker's potatoes. No nuts, eggs, or dairy in main stuffing, except butter and possible almond sauce on side.