Yummy yuletide guide
December 3, 2008
From holiday sweets and spirits to entertaining tips, find everything you need to host the perfect festive feast or fete in our yummy yuletide guide.
Festive spirits: The simple and pretty poinsettia cocktail
should help make spirits bright.
The cranberry, orange liquer and champagne
concoction is easy to make in party-sized quantities and goes down
smooth.
A cookie a day: Come back each day until Dec. 24 to open a new door on the Star's interactive calendar for a delicious new cookie recipe.
Sweet treat: These macaroon pies are great for sharing. They take minutes to throw together, though the one-hour setting period may prove too much for little ones looking for instant gratification.
Rethinking the cheese ball: History has not been kind to the cheese ball, but with cheese recently getting gourmet treatment, this is one party food that seems ripe for an update.
Bite-sized treats: To make a big impression at this year's holiday party, think small. Try bite-sized goodies like Pork sausage spiedini, Sticky dates with lemon feta and walnuts, and Mini Chicken Tikka Burgers with mint chutney.
Personalize your party: Debbie Travis says all the frantic shopping and preparation is really worth all the trouble. She shares six simple ways to personalize, and survive, your holiday party.
How to roast the perfect turkey: Tips from the Turkey Farmers of Ontario on how to roast the perfect turkey.
Ideas for turkey leftovers: Most of us deliberately buy turkeys that are just a little too hefty for our gatherings so we can enjoy the leftovers for days to come. Turkey sandwiches are great, but here are four new ideas.
Once loved, twice baked Italian cookie: Biscotti are a baker's best friend. Made in great quantity, these sturdy biscuits keep for months, always on call for a last-minute dessert tray or gift. There's no rolling, no decorating, no watching the oven like a hawk. In your face, gingerbread man!
The Brandy Alexander: This sweet and lush chocolate and cream drink gets
a boost from a shot of brandy, and a grating of fresh nutmeg on the top
makes it a seasonal favourite. But heed the words Feist sings in the
lovelorn song named for the Brandy Alexander: It "goes down easy" and "always
gets me into trouble."
Kid-friendly focaccia: The holidays are the perfect excuse for getting hands on with your
kids in the kitchen. This simplified focaccia (Italian flatbread) calls for just a few inexpensive and common ingredients, has plenty
of opportunities for the kids to pound and smoosh the dough, and is all
but impossible to mess up.