Fa La La La Fabulous: Festive Fixings

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December 2020 | photos by lovely hitchcock

Scrumptious food is synonymous with the holidays and the staff at Simply Local gathered up some of our favorite appetizer, dessert, and drink recipes to share with you.  

Caramel Apple Cream Cheese Spread 

from the Kitchen of Holly Kincaid 

 As a designer, it’s an assumption that I’m naturally a Pinterest mom – wrong! I like simple recipes that my kids will enjoy. It’s so much work during the holidays to put together a menu that your kids will reject. This is an easy, no-bake appetizer that will get some fresh fruit into your week of holiday indulgences. For nut allergies, substitute crushed toffee for the walnuts.  

 Ingredients:  

• 8 ounces cream cheese 
• ½ Cup (or more) caramel sauce (homemade or store bought) 
• ½ Cup (or more) crushed walnuts 
• Apples for dipping 

 Instructions:  

Place cream cheese on a serving dish, drizzle caramel sauce over cream cheese, and top with nuts. Serve with sliced apples.  

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Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus 

from the kitchen of Lisa Bevan 

 Whenever I’m in the mood to give asparagus a little pizazz or I’m running behind on my appetizer ideas, I make these. This simple, tasty combination is a great complement to any main dish.  

 Ingredients: 

• 1 Pound asparagus, preferably thick spears 
• 3 to 3 ½ ounces sliced prosciutto 
• 1 to 2 teaspoons olive oil 
• Ground black pepper 
• Lemon zest, optional 
• Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, optional 

 Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Clean and prep asparagus by cutting off ends. Cut prosciutto in half. Wrap prosciutto asparagus seal down. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, and add Parmesan cheese or lemon zest if desired. Drizzle 1-2 Teaspoons of olive oil on top. Bake at 400 degrees for 8-10 minutes. (If desired crispier, broil for 2-3 additional minutes.) 

Pizzelles 

from the kitchen of Abbey Sage 

Of all of the Italian Christmas cookies my Norwegian Grandmother made for my Italian Grandfather, this was my favorite because of its light crisp texture and beautiful pattern. 

Ingredients: 

• 3 large eggs 
• ¾ Cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 
• 1 stick (½ Cup) butter melted and cooled 
• ½ teaspoon anise seed extract 
• 1 ¾ Cups all-purpose flour 
• 2 teaspoons baking powder 

Instructions: 

Melt butter and set aside. Beat eggs and sugar until light yellow, 2-3 minutes. Add melted butter, vanilla, and anise seed extract. Beat until blended. Sift together 1 Cup of flour and the baking powder, then combine with wet ingredients. Fold together until just blended, add remaining flour and fold again until just incorporated. 

 Heat pizzelle iron; place approximately 2 Tablespoons of batter on the center of the pattern. Bake until golden brown (about 1:20 to 2 minutes) remove and cool on a rack. Repeat with remaining batter. 

 Almond Pizzelles 

Omit the vanilla and anise flavors from the original recipe; add 1 Tablespoon almond extract or 2 Tablespoons Amaretto. Add 1 Cup finely chopped/ground almonds to the batter - optional. Bake as usual in your iron. 

Pasties  

from the kitchen of Jenny Barriger 

 Every holiday celebration in my family includes a cocktail version of the traditional pasty. I can’t remember a time when any were left at the end of a gathering. While pasty making, by tradition, can be quite time- and labor-intensive, I have included some quick and easy modifications that I sometimes use to make them happen in my home when I am tight on time.  

 From Scratch. 

Ingredients: 

• 5-6 large potatoes, peeled and cut into cubes 
• 1-pound ground sirloin (you can use steak if you’d like) 
• 1 small, onion diced 
• Butter, salt, and pepper to taste 

 Place potatoes, ground beef, and diced onion (all raw) in a large bowl and mix together. 

 Crust 

Ingredients: 

• 4 Cups flour 
• 1 Cup Crisco 
• 4 teaspoons salt 
• 1 Cup cold water 

 Cut Crisco into flour then add salt and mix. Add water last to form dough. 

 Modifications for quick and easy option. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 bag southern cut hashbrowns 
• 1-pound ground beef 
• 1 small onion, diced 
• Butter, salt, and pepper to taste 
• Store bought pie crust 

 Assembly and baking instructions: 

 Roll out a small handful of dough into a circle on a floured surface. Place a large spoonful/mound of the uncooked meat and potato mixture in the center. Add salt and pepper and a small bit of butter to the top of the mound. Fold dough over mixture and press edges together to seal. Place on a baking sheet and vent top of pasty with fork or knife.  

 Bake regular sized pasties at 350 degrees for 1 hour. Adjust time for smaller pasties. Cocktail pasties usually take 30-40 minutes to cook depending on size. 

Toffee 

from the kitchen of Robyn Fogle 

 Baking Christmas goodies to give to family, friends, and neighbors is a long-standing tradition in my family. But since I can only bake one cookie variety at a time, I like to incorporate a stovetop recipe into my Christmas "baking" day as well.  

 I came across this toffee recipe several years ago and it has been one of my staple go-to holiday treats ever since. The original recipe comes from the 1989 issue of Better Homes and Gardens, but the version I found had been modified and simplified.  

 It's the kind of toffee that melts in your mouth. And it's too good to make year-round (my waistline would surely suffer), so it has remained a holiday tradition.  

 Ingredients: 

• 1 Cup unblanched (skin on) whole almonds 
• 1 Cup unsalted butter 
• 1 Cup sugar 
• ¾ teaspoon salt (reduce to ¼ Teaspoon if using salted butter) 
• ½ teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 (12 oz.) package milk chocolate chips (2 Cups) 
• ¼ Cup finely chopped pecans 

 Instructions: 

Toast almonds by spreading them in a single layer on a plate and microwaving on high for 2-3 minutes (stir after each minute). On foil-lined baking sheet, arrange almonds in a single layer over an area measuring approximately 13x9 inches. In a heavy, 2-quart saucepan, combine butter, sugar, vanilla, and salt. Cook over med-high heat, stirring constantly with a clean, dry, wooden spoon until butter is melted. Continue cooking and stirring for approximately 7-10 minutes until candy is the color of the brown skin of the almonds; it will start smoking slightly. Immediately pour candy, without scraping pan, over almonds, covering all nuts. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the hot candy. Wait 1 minute and spread the melted chocolate until it is smooth. Sprinkle with pecans. Let cool and break into pieces. Store in a tightly covered container in a cool place or refrigerator.  

 Rolo Pretzel Delights 

from the kitchen of Carina Deguire 

 This easy (and kid-friendly recipe) has been a part of our family's holiday traditions for the past 22 years. My mom hasn't missed a year making "Pretzel Turtles," since receiving the recipe from a friend while working at the Lincoln County Coalition Against Child Abuse in North Carolina. Nary has there been a Christmas where there wasn't an entire tray within arm's reach. They have always been a part of Christmas cookie trays delivered to the neighbors and have since become a favorite for her grandkids to help make. My only hope is that my kids still enjoy unwrapping 100+ ROLOS every year as they get older.  

 The easiest (kid-friendly) recipe for the holidays!  

3-3-3 | 3 Ingredients. 300 degrees. 3 minutes. 

 Ingredients: 

• Pretzels (square are best) 
• ROLO candies (unwrapped) 
• Pecan halves 

 Instructions: 

Lay pretzels on a baking sheet. Place ROLO candy on top of each pretzel and bake in the oven at 300 degrees for 3 minutes. Immediately place a pecan half onto the ROLO and press down gently. Let cool and enjoy!  

 Get creative! Swap out pecans for a different nut, or even holiday M&M’s for a colorful and nut-allergy friendly version.  

 Maple Pecan Baked Brie 

from the kitchen of Stephanie Toews 

 Appetizers are by far my favorite holiday treats; I could make an entire meal out of them. I am also a huge fan of simple but delicious recipes. That’s why this sweet and savory recipe is one of my favorites to make for any Christmas celebration.   

 Ingredients: 

• 1 8-ounce round Brie 
• ¼ Cup light brown sugar 
• ¼ Cup pure maple syrup 
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon 
• ¾ Cup pecans (chopped if desired) 
• Pear slices, crackers, or cinnamon pita chips for serving 

 Instructions: 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Place Brie in a small baking dish or pie plate and bake for around 15-20 minutes until warmed through. Meanwhile, add sugar, maple syrup, and cinnamon to a small saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally until sugar dissolves and mixture just begins to boil. Immediately remove from heat and stir in pecans. Pour mixture over brie and serve warm with pear slices, crackers, or cinnamon pita chips.  

Marbled Peppermint Cookies 

from the kitchen of Mikaela Besel 

 Nothing screams Christmas quite like peppermint - and these cookies that my grandma makes each year are my favorite way to enjoy it. They are definitely a crowd pleaser for the holiday season.  

 Ingredients: 

• 2 ¼ Cups all-purpose flour 
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt 
• 1 Cup unsalted butter (2 sticks) room temperature 
• ¾ Cup granulated sugar 
• ½ Cup powdered sugar 
• 2 large egg yolks 
• 2 teaspoons peppermint extract 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 12 drops red food coloring 
• ½ Cup decorating sugar red/white 

 Instructions: 

In a small bowl, combine flour and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on high speed until light and fluffy, about 4-5 minutes. Scrape the sides, add the granulated sugar and powdered sugar and continue to beat until very light in color and fluffy, another 2-3 minutes. Scrape sides again and add the egg yolks, peppermint extract, and vanilla, beat on low speed until well combined. With the mixture running on low speed, spoon flour and salt mixture until all of dry ingredients have been added and fully combined. Don’t over mix. Remove half of the dough and place on a sheet of plastic wrap. Add food coloring to remaining dough and mix just until the color has been evenly dispersed. Add dough to a separate sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. Preheat oven to 325 degrees and prepare two baking sheets with parchment paper. Roll a bit of red and white dough together to make a ball and then roll into decorating sugar and flatten slightly on baking pan. Bake until slightly brown on the bottoms, 13 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before transferring to cooling rack. Store in an airtight container segregated from other cookies as the peppermint flavor will transfer. 

Risalamande (Danish Almond Rice Pudding) 

from the kitchen of Ashley Fisher 

 This Danish recipe has been passed down from my great grandmother. My mother has memories of her cooking this dessert every holiday, and it is a beloved tradition across the generations! It is such a wonderful way for our family to remember her and our heritage around the holiday season!   

 Ingredients for the rice pudding: 

• 1 Cup Arborio rice 
• ¼ teaspoon salt  
• 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest 
• 2 Tablespoons sugar  
• 1 ¼ Cups water 
• 4 Cups milk 
• 4 Ounces chopped blanched almonds 

 Instructions: 

Bring the rice, salt, lemon zest, sugar, and water to a boil in a medium-sized stockpot. Boil for 3 minutes, add the milk, and return to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes, stirring occasionally, increasing the frequency of stirring during the last 10 minutes to prevent scorching. Stir in the chopped, blanched almonds. Let the rice cool and then chill for several hours or overnight.  

 Ingredients for Risalamande: 

• 2 Cups heavy whipping cream 
• ¼ Cup sugar 
• 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (not extract) 
• ½ teaspoon quality almond extract 

 Instructions: 

Beat the cream until it starts to thicken. Add the sugar, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract and beat until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to overbeat. Serve the Risalamande at room temperature with the warm cherry sauce.  

 Ingredients for the cherry sauce: 

• 1 ½ Cups canned or frozen cherries (plus ½ Cup of cherry syrup from the can) if using frozen cherries, add ½ Cup water instead 
• 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar 
• 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice 
• 1 Tablespoon salted butter 
• 1 Tablespoon cornstarch dissolved in ¼ Cup water 
• ½ Teaspoon quality pure almond extract 

 Instructions: 

In a small saucepan, place the cherries and cherry syrup (or water), along with the sugar, butter, and lemon juice. Bring to a boil, if using fresh or frozen cherries, reduce the heat and simmer another 3 minutes. Stir in the cornstarch mixture, stirring continually until the sauce is thickened, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in the almond extract. Serve the sauce warm over room temperature rice/risalamande dessert.   

Merry Christmas to you and yours from the Simply Local-Billings team! 

Originally printed in the December 2020 issue of Simply Local Magazine

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