Potential Magazine November 2014 | Page 35

cuisine holiday recipes stress-free holiday bites The holidays can be stressful. The shopping, the wrapping, the decorating and more. It’s easy to let the flurry of activity sneak in like the Grinch and steal the season’s jolly and joy. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Find a few ways to simplify your plans and beat that green grump at his own game. Start with the food. Forget the fancy spread and take advantage of store-bought shortcuts. Whether you’re throwing a big party or just hosting a handful of family and friends, wow your guests with these simple, but scrumptious holiday recipe ideas. Sausage & Sauce Bet ter Brownies Dress up basic brownies with rich cream cheese frosting and ripe berries. Throw a few links of your favorite smoked sausage on the grill and then slice them up into bite-size pieces. Serve on a platter with toothpicks nearby for dipping in this savory-sweet sauce. 1 box of store-bought Two-Bite Brownies Blackberry-Mustard Sauce 8 ounces of cream cheese 2 cups of confectioners sugar Mix 1/4 cup of spicy brown mustard with 1 cup of your favorite blackberry jam or preserves and 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar. 1 teaspoon vanilla extract fresh raspberries Mix the cream cheese, vanilla and confectioners sugar in a bowl with a hand mixer. Spoon the frosting into a piping bag and starting in the middle of the brownie top, squeeze the frosting out in a circular motion moving from the center to the edge. Finish with a raspberry on top. Note: If you don’t have a piping bag, use a zip-top bag and use scissors to snip a tiny bit off one bottom corner. Southern Sushi This old-school party pick-up is always a favorite. Note: If okra’s not your thing, sweet or dill pickles are a great replacement. 20 pieces of pickled okra 20 slices of deli ham, sliced thin 8 ounces of cream cheese, softened Spread each slice of ham with a thin layer of cream cheese and then roll a piece of okra in each. If your okras are small, half the slice of ham so there’s not too much overhang on each end. Slice each roll crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Chocolate-Dipped Cherries These sweet treats look impressive, but they’re easy to make and even easier to enjoy. Use the same technique with dried apricots or grapes if you don’t like pits. 1 pound of cherries, stems on 8 ounces white baking chocolate, chopped or broken into pieces 2 cups pecans, finely chopped Melt the chocolate over low heat in a double boiler. Dip cherries one-by-one into the chocolate and then into the chopped pecans. Place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper and cool in the fridge until set. Easy Cheesy Wafers Crispy, nutty and cheesy: enough said. 1/2 cup butter, softened 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 pound shredded extra sharp Cheddar cheese 1 teaspoon salt 1 dash hot pepper sauce 1/2 cup chopped pecans Mix the butter and flour in a mixer, then add the cheese, salt and hot pepper sauce. Finally, mix in the nuts by hand. Form the dough into a roll and wrap in wax paper. Let sit in the fridge overnight or for at least 8 hours. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Slice the dough roll into thin wafers and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until just browned on the edges and crisp. Find more holiday recipes on the “Chew on This” blog at www.jenniferkornegay.com NO COOKING REQUIRED: Create a pretty and tasty spread for your buffet by selecting two to three different cheeses (try smoked Gouda, herbed goat cheese and high-quality cheddar). Serve them together on a wooden board and embellish with grapes and dried apricots for added flavor. Put some buttery crackers or crusty bread in a bowl on the side, and you’re done! www.potentialmagazine.com 35