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holiday menu

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Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney

By Heidi Sutton

At this year’s holiday gatherings, you can put together a showstopping menu from the beginning of the party to the final bite with mouthwatering recipes that bring guests back for more. Start with a sweet cocktail and savory appetizer, enjoy an elegant main course with delicious side dishes, and top it off with a delectable dessert.

Pear Belle Tini

Recipe courtesy of Lessing’s Hospitality

Pear Belle Tini

YIELD: Makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS:

½ ounce honey

½ ounce lemon juice

1¾ ounce pear vodka

1 ounce amaretto

3 dashes cardamom bitters

cinnamon sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Rim glass with cinnamon sugar. In cocktail shaker, combine honey and lemon juice and stir with a cocktail spoon. Add the pear vodka, amaretto and cardamom bitters and stir again, making sure the honey has dissolved. Add ice, cover and shake vigorously. Pour into prepared glass and serve.

Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney

Recipe courtesy of Family Features

Baked Brie with Pecans and Cranberry Orange Chutney

YIELD: Makes 8 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 bag (12 ounces) fresh cranberries

1/2 cup maple syrup, plus 1 teaspoon for garnish, divided

1/2 cup water

1 orange, zest and juice only

1 teaspoon freshly chopped thyme, plus additional for garnish, divided

1 teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary

1 tablespoon bourbon (optional)

1 round brie (13.4 ounces)

1/2 cup roasted pecan pieces 

crackers

toasted bread

apple slices

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, bring cranberries (reserving some for garnish), 1/2 cup maple syrup and water to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, stirring occasionally, until cranberries pop and mixture thickens, 8-10 minutes.

Remove cranberry mixture from heat and stir in orange zest, orange juice, 1 teaspoon thyme, rosemary and bourbon, if desired.

Place brie on parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake 5-7 minutes, or until inside of cheese softens while outside remains intact.

Transfer brie to serving platter and top with chutney and toasted pecans. Drizzle remaining maple syrup over brie and garnish with remaining fresh thyme and reserved cranberries. Serve with crackers, toasted bread and apple slices.

Honey-Lemon Glazed Carrots

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2/3cup honey

1/4 cup fresh-squeezed lemon juice

1/2 teaspoon sumac

1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

2 pinches kosher salt

1 pinch ground black pepper

water

1 pound baby rainbow carrots

1/3 cup olive oil

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

DIRECTIONS:

In small bowl, whisk honey, lemon juice, sumac, lemon zest, 1 pinch salt and 1 pinch pepper. Preheat oven to 425 F. Fill stockpot 2/3 full with water. Bring to boil and add 1 pinch salt. Blanch carrots in boiling water 5 minutes. Drain and shock with cold water. When cool enough to handle, halve carrots lengthwise.

In large saute pan over medium-high heat, add oil and butter. Add carrots to pan, flat sides down, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Sear until browned, about 2 minutes. 

Flip carrots and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add half of glaze to pan and glaze generously. Bake 3 minutes. Add remaining glaze to carrots and bake 2 minutes.

Garlic Mashed Potatoes

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.Net

YIELD: Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 pounds russet potatoes, medium diced, skin on

cold water

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus 1 pinch, plus additional, to taste, divided

1/2  pound unsalted butter

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon ground white pepper, plus additional, to taste, divided

DIRECTIONS:

Add potatoes to stockpot. Cover with cold water by about 1 inch and add 1 pinch salt. Turn on high heat and bring to boil 12-15 minutes, or until fork tender. Drain and place potatoes in large mixing bowl. In saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Add garlic and simmer 5 minutes. Add heavy cream, 1 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper; bring to boil. When mixture boils, reduce to simmer 3 minutes then remove from heat. Mash hot potatoes until most lumps are gone. Using hand mixer on low speed, slowly add butter and cream mixture until desired smoothness and taste. Season with salt and pepper.

Spiral Sliced Ham with Bourbon, Honey and Orange Glaze

Recipe courtesy of Family Features

Spiral Sliced Ham with Bourbon, Honey and Orange Glaze

INGREDIENTS:

1 hickory smoked spiral sliced ham

1/2 cup bourbon

1/2 cup honey

1 1/2cups fresh orange juice

1/2cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon ground clove

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground ginger

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325 F. Remove packaging from ham and place face down in large roasting pan. Heat ham, uncovered, 12 to 14 minutes per pound, or until internal temperature reaches 120 F. Heating time will vary by weight. When about 30 minutes of cook time remains, in small saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk bourbon, honey, orange juice, brown sugar, clove, cinnamon and ginger; bring to boil. Pour glaze over ham. Continue baking ham, basting frequently. For final 10 minutes of cook time, turn oven up to 425 F, continuing to baste with glaze. When ham is heated through, remove from oven, drain liquid in bottom of baking dish and reserve to serve on side of hot ham.

Peppermint Truffle Cookies

Recipe courtesy of Culinary.net

Peppermint Truffle Cookies

YIELD: Makes 36 servings

INGREDIENTS:

8 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

1 cup sugar, divided

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon pure peppermint extract

2 cups flour

36 chocolate kiss-shaped candies, unwrapped

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oven to 350° F. In large, microwavable bowl, heat chocolate and butter on high 1 to 2 minutes, or until butter is melted. Let stand 10 minutes to cool slightly. Add 1/2 cup sugar, egg and peppermint extract. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Gradually beat in flour on low speed until well mixed. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Press chocolate candy into center of each ball, forming dough around candy to enclose it. Roll in remaining sugar to coat. Place 1 inch apart on greased baking sheets. Bake 9 to 11 minutes, or until cookies are set. Cool on baking sheets 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

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METRO photo

By David Dunaief, M.D.

Dr. David Dunaief

Dear Santa,

It’s been a while since I wrote, and I know you have a lot of last-minute requests at this time of year, so I’ll keep this short.

Kids around the world look to you as a role model for kindness and generosity. That must feel pretty good.

They also marvel at your round belly, claiming that it shakes when you laugh like a bowl full of jelly. Then, they literally feed that belly by setting out cookies and other sweets for you on Christmas Eve.

I have nothing against your round belly, but I’m concerned about the message it sends. We’re currently facing an epidemic of overweight kids and an ever-increasing number of children with type 2 diabetes. According to the CDC, the percentage of children in the U.S. between ages 10 and 19 with type 2 diabetes nearly doubled from 2001 to 2017. You, Santa, with your influence, can help reverse this trend.

Obesity has a much higher risk of shortening a person’s life span, not to mention affecting their quality of life. The most dangerous type of obesity is visceral adipose tissue, which means central belly fat. An easy way to tell if someone is too rotund is if their waistline, measured from the navel, is 40 inches or more for a man and 35 inches or more for a woman. Risks for pancreatic cancer, breast cancer, liver cancer and heart disease increase dramatically with this increased fat.

Santa, here is your opportunity to lead by example (and, maybe by summer, to fit into those skinny jeans you hide in the back of your closet).

Think of the personal advantages of being trimmer. Your joints won’t ache with the winter cold, and you will have more energy. Plus, studies show that, with a diet that emphasizes fruits, vegetables and whole grains, you can reverse clogged arteries and avoid strokes, heart attacks and peripheral vascular disease. With a simple change, like eating a handful of raw nuts a day, you can reduce your heart disease risk significantly.

Losing weight will also change your center of gravity, which will make it easier for you to keep your balance on those steep, icy rooftops.

Exercise will help as well. Maybe this Christmas Eve, you could walk or jog alongside the sleigh for the first continent or so. As you continue to exercise during the “offseason,” you’ll start to tighten your abs and slowly see fat disappear from your midsection.

This might make it easier to steal a base or two during the North Pole Athletic League’s Softball season. The elves don’t even bother holding you on base anymore, do they?

Of course, the cookies don’t help. You might let slip that the modern Santa enjoys fruits, especially berries, and veggies, with an emphasis on cruciferous veggies like broccoli florets dipped in humus, which have substantial antioxidant qualities and can help reverse disease. And, of course, skip putting candy in the stockings. No one needs more sugar, and I’m sure that, over the long night, it’s hard to resist sneaking a few pieces, yourself.

As for your loyal fans, you could place active games under the tree. You and your elves could create an app with workout videos for those of us who need them, and we could follow along as you showed us “12 Days of Workouts with Santa and Friends.” Who knows, you might become the next Shaun T!

You could gift athletic equipment, such as baseball gloves, footballs and basketballs, instead of video games. Or wearable devices that track step counts and bike routes. Or stuff gift certificates for dance lessons into people’s stockings.

As you become more active, you’ll find that you have more energy all year round, not just on Christmas Eve. If you start soon, Santa, maybe by next year, you’ll be able to park the sleigh farther away and skip from chimney to chimney.

The benefits of a healthier Santa will ripple across the world. Your reindeer won’t have to work so hard. You might fit extra presents in your sleigh. And Santa, you will be sending kids and adults the world over the right message about taking control of their health through nutrition and exercise. That’s the best gift you could give!

Wishing you good health in the coming year,

David

P.S. If you have a little extra room in your sleigh, I could use a new pair of batting gloves. I hear the Yankees need help, and I’ve been practicing, just in case.

Dr. David Dunaief is a speaker, author and local lifestyle medicine physician focusing on the integration of medicine, nutrition, fitness and stress management. For further information, visit www.medicalcompassmd.com.

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Guy Reuge's Ginger Almond Tart Mirabelle

By Heidi Sutton

At this year’s holiday gatherings, you can put together a showstopping menu from the beginning of the party to the final bite with mouthwatering recipes that bring guests back for more. Start with some savory appetizers, enjoy an elegant main course with an award-winning side dish, and top it off with a sweet cocktail and delectable dessert.

Holiday Mini Meatball Skewers

Recipe courtesy of Beef Loving Texans

Holiday Mini Meatball Skewers

Makes 12 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound ground beef

1 cup fresh zucchini, grated

1 egg

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1 small yellow onion, diced 1/2 inch

2 red bell peppers, diced 1/2 inch

2 green bell peppers, diced 1/2 inch

12 skewers (6 inches)

1 can (16 ounces) whole berry cranberry sauce

3 tablespoons barbecue sauce

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 400 F. In medium bowl, lightly mix ground beef, zucchini, egg, salt and pepper until thoroughly combined. Shape into 24 1-inch meatballs. Alternately thread meatballs, onions, red peppers and green peppers onto skewers. Place skewers on shallow-rimmed baking sheet. Bake 22-25 minutes, or until instant-read thermometer inserted into center of meatball registers 160 F.

To make cranberry barbecue sauce: In medium saucepan, combine cranberry sauce and barbecue sauce; simmer 5 minutes, or until flavors blend. Drizzle sauce over skewers or serve as dipping sauce.

Classic Beef Wellington

Recipe courtesy of Beef Loving Texans 

Classic Beef Wellington

Makes 4 servings

INGREDIENTS:

1 teaspoon olive oil, divided

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper, divided

1 chateaubriand tenderloin roast

8 ounces mushrooms

1 large shallot

2 tablespoons dry red wine

2 tablespoons Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves

flour

1 sheet puff pastry

DIRECTIONS:

In large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, heat 1/2 teaspoon oil until hot. Combine salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Press evenly onto all surfaces of roast. Place roast in skillet; brown evenly. Remove roast from skillet. Heat oven to 425 F. In food processor, pulse mushrooms and shallot about 10 times until finely chopped. Do not overprocess. Place same skillet used for roast over medium-high heat and heat remaining oil until hot. Add mushrooms and shallot; cook 4-6 minutes until tender and all liquid is evaporated, stirring often. Add wine; cook 2-3 minutes until all liquid is evaporated. Stir in mustard, thyme and remaining pepper. Cook 2-3 minutes. Remove from skillet to medium bowl; cool.

Line rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place in oven. On lightly floured cutting board, unfold pastry dough. Roll pastry out to 12-by-9-inch rectangle; lay dough with shortest edge toward you. Spread mushroom mixture onto pastry dough, leaving 1/2-inch border around edges. Place roast in center of mushrooms. Fold pastry dough neatly around roast, stretching dough if necessary. Cut off excess pastry dough; press to seal overlapping edges. 

Remove baking sheet from oven and dust lightly with flour. Place pastry-wrapped roast, seam-side down, on baking sheet. Cut four (2-inch) vents in top of pastry. Bake 35-50 minutes, or until golden brown and instant-read thermometer inserted into center of roast registers 135 F for medium-rare or 150 F for medium. Transfer roast to carving board. Let stand 10 minutes. Temperature will rise about 10 F to reach 145 F for medium-rare or 160F for medium. Carve into slices and serve.

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apple

Recipe courtesy of Susan McGreevy of Port Jefferson Station, who was recently awarded a blue ribbon for this side dish by Just a Pinch Recipes

Brussels Sprouts with Bacon and Apple

Makes 8 servings

“Not too many people like Brussels sprouts, but I happen to love them. I have made a believer out of them with this recipe. I always make it for special dinners.”

View the recipe here.

 

 

Espresso Martini 

Recipe courtesy of the Beverage Team at Mirabelle Restaurant in Stony Brook

Espresso Martini

Makes 1 serving

INGREDIENTS:

1.5  oz Titos Vodka

1.5 oz Black Coffee Liqueur

1 oz Fresh Espresso

1 oz Vanilla Simple Syrup

3 espresso coffee beans for garnish

DIRECTIONS:

Shake over ice and strain into martini glass.

Guy Reuge’s Ginger Almond Tart Mirabelle

Recipe courtesy of Chef Guy Reuge

Guy Reuge’s Ginger Almond Tart Mirabelle

Makes 8 servings

“This pie is part of the early history of Mirabelle. I created the recipe for our dessert list when the restaurant opened in 1983. The recipe has been printed many times, and still today my customers ask for it…so I keep it on the menu. Personally, I love it with a cup of great coffee; it just goes well together.” 

Pâte sablée (pastry dough)

INGREDIENTS:

4 ounces confectioners’ sugar

8 ½ ounces all-purpose flour

Pinch of salt

4 ½ ounces butter, chopped into small cubes

1 egg

DIRECTIONS:

In a the bowl of an electric mixer (such as a Kitchenaid) fitted with the paddle combine the confectioners’ sugar, flour, salt, butter, and egg. Form the dough into a ball and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour. Roll out the dough 1/8-inch thick to fit a 10-inch tart shell mold. Fit the dough into the tart mold and freeze it for 1 hour before baking. Bake the tart shell in a preheated 325 F. oven for 15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and reserve it.

Ginger Almond Filling

INGREDIENTS:

1 pound light brown sugar

1 cup blanched sliced almonds

3 tablespoons heavy cream

1 tablespoon grated fresh gingerroot

6 ounces unsalted butter

4 large egg yolks

confectioners’ sugar for dusting the top of the tart

unsweetened whipped cream

DIRECTIONS:

In a saucepan combine the brown sugar, almonds, cream, grated gingerroot, and butter, cook the mixture over moderate heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon, until it is liquefied but not too hot. Rapidly stir in the egg yolks. Pour the mixture into the reserved tart shell and bake it in a preheated 240 F. oven for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until it is semi-firm and the top looks shiny. Remove the tart and let it cool for at least 3 hours before unmolding. Sprinkle the tart with the confectioners’ sugar and slice it into 8 pieces. Serve each slice with the unsweetened whipped cream.

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