Does presenting your time-honoured holiday meal elicit bland
stares from family and friends? Help is here with tips to spice up
your holiday fare.
Ever
Try Deep-Frying the Bird?
Simply inject your bird with a simple marinade (lemon juice,
olive oil and seasoning) and marinate for a few hours. Place some
frying oil (peanut oil works great) into a turkey fryer, available
at most BBQ shops, and heat to 350 degrees. Slowly lower the turkey
into the hot oil and fry until crispy and golden. Make sure to do
this outside! The turkey crisps up on the outside and the meat is
juicy and tender on the inside. Cooking time is cut in half and the
clean up is a breeze.
How About Roasting a Duck or Goose?
Swap up the turkey with something new! Add some cherries,
balsamic and sage. Be creative, sometimes it's great to marry old
traditions with new!
Ever Smoke a Turkey?
Use the BBQ or a smoker to create your very own recipe.
Experiment with different woods like apple or hickory. Rub the bird
with your favourite spice blend and take it to the grill. Christmas
will be smokin'!
A very Veggie Christmas
Alongside the bird try cranberry couscous with orange zest and
wild mushrooms. Fresh veggies are always yummy. Steam carrots and
parsnips then top with walnut oil and maple syrup. Warm up a
winter's night with a vegetarian holiday soup. Try cream of
cauliflower with toasted almonds and Brie cheese, or sweet potato
and leek soup with grated nutmeg and fresh dill. Holiday chutney
makes a great gift and saves your loved ones from the humdrum of
leftovers. Combine ingredients like red onions, mango, cranberries,
raspberry vinegars, garlic, tarragon and rosemary. Package in mason
jars and make sure to follow your canning instructions! Label with
a message like, "In case of emergency: apply to leftovers".
Holiday Snacks
Enough with the taco dip, try:
- Prosciutto-wrapped chestnuts
- Brie cheese stuffed with pesto and cranberry sauce and baked
until soft then serve with your favourite breads and raw
vegetables
- Olive tapenades are great! Add some fresh mint to make it more
festive.
And for those who love their cheese puffs: try wrapping them in
smoked salmon and top with a bit of caviar.
Explore Different Cultures
Learn new techniques and recipes. Combine old recipes new
flavours and ingredient combinations to create unique dishes. Ever
make Jerk Turkey? Why not carve up the leftovers to make turkey
risotto?
Christmas Cheer
If 'tis the season to be jolly' then why not find new ways to
make your Christmas cheer:
- Vodka, Grand Marnier and White Cranberry Juice Cocktail-
garnished with candied orange rind.
- Did someone say Champagne? Give this holiday fizz a
facelift! Add some fresh raspberry puree and raspberry vodka
and you'll be lighting up like Rudolph in no time.
- Whatever happened to the "Hot Toddie"? Just mix Brandy and
lemon and you're "hot to tot".
- Holidays and Amaretto go hand in hand. Try mixing it with your
favourite tea or coffee. Then combine different liqueurs
like vanilla and chocolate with your coffee and tea.
- And for the kids, Make hot chocolate from scratch. Melt
semi-sweet chocolate in warmed milk and cream. Garnish with whipped
cream or mini-marshmallows and use a candy cane as a stir
stick