A Life in Food by real-life Chef Cheryl Bennett
Porcini crusted beef tenderloin roast is the perfect Christmas dinner. Serve with roasted vegetables or melting potatoes for a delicious and elegant meal.
Dried porcini mushrooms ground into a powder dust the outside of the tenderloin, enhancing the flavor of this delicate cut of meat.
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…This easy rum balls recipe is a tasty treat for grown-ups. This traditional no bake recipe comes together in no time and because the flavor develops even more overnight, it’s the perfect make ahead sweet. For an even more decadent treat, try chocolate covered rum balls!
It wouldn’t be Christmas without these old fashioned rum balls. They are as much a part of our holiday treats as gingerbread, buckeyes and sugar cookies. This recipe makes 5 dozen, so it is great for cookie exchanges and gift-giving.
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…Lemon ricotta cookies are soft, fluffy, cake-like cookies. Topped with a sweet-tart lemon glaze, they are a great addition to holiday dessert platters. If soft, frosted cookies are your favorite, check out this pumpkin cookie recipe.
Lemon ricotta are one of my favorite cookies. They are perfectly lemony, soft and fluffy cookies. The lemon glaze on top is an absolute must.
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…Butter pecan biscotti are perfect for holiday cookie exchanges and for sharing! These biscotti mimic the buttery, nutty goodness in butter pecan ice cream. For another delicious and unique treat, try these almond biscotti with golden raisins.
They have a double hit of nutty flavor from both the toasted pecans and brown butter.
Biscotti are perfect for mailing to friends and family. They are a sturdy cookie that won’t break during shipping, so they are my “go to” for sending as gifts.
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…Gingerbread rum balls are full of warm spices for a holiday twist on my classic easy rum ball recipe.
Old fashioned rum balls are a Christmas staple in our house. They have been since I was a teenager. Over the years, I’ve made a few variations and these festive holiday rum balls are the latest version.
…Homemade buckeyes are the perfect no bake treat for peanut butter and chocolate lovers.
Buckeyes are fast, easy and delicious, making them a great choice for the holidays when you need a tasty treat that doesn’t take too much time or energy. Another no bake treat (for adults) that is always on hand during the holidays are these easy rum balls.
The very basics of a buckeye candy are peanut butter, chocolate and powdered sugar. As easy as a buckeye recipe is, not all buckeyes are created equal. This recipe has a secret ingredient to make these homemade buckeyes the creamiest and most delicious peanut butter buckeyes ever!
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This clementine cake is gluten free, made in the food processor and comes out of the pan like a dream. It couldn’t be easier and it is deliciously moist. The smell of clementines cooking fills the house with a bright, citrusy aroma, which is wonderful this time of the year. Another holiday treat we love right now are these gluten free rum balls.
When the mercury drops and you are puttering around the house, this is the perfect baking endeavor.
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Gingerbread is one of the classic flavors of the holiday season. An old fashioned gingerbread loaf is a perfect dessert to have on hand when friends and family come to visit. For me, anything gingerbread is welcome and this classic gingerbread cake is something I bake every year and it goes perfectly with a strong cup of tea.
I made a maple bourbon glaze to coat the gingerbread, which really complements the spices used. You can swap bourbon for a splash of milk to keep the glaze kid-friendly, if you’ll be serving it to the whole family.
The combination of spices that make up gingerbread are the flavors of Christmas. There is something about the blend of cloves, ginger, cinnamon and molasses that fills the house with a warm cozy feeling like nothing else can. These gingerbread biscotti are quickly becoming a new favorite in our house for that reason and also because they are delicious dipped into strong coffee.
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Cranberry chutney is a sweet and sour condiment made with fresh cranberries, onions, ginger and orange zest. It is a great topping for crostini as an appetizer, but is also delicious on baked chicken. If you love the combination of cranberries and orange, try this Cranberry Orange Upside Down Cake. For even more cranberry goodness, this Apple Cranberry Chicken Salad is one of our go-to lunches.
This recipe for cranberry chutney makes 4 cups (or 1 quart), so it is perfect for gifting to friends and neighbors. Tie a pretty ribbon around a glass jar and take some with you as a hostess gift for holiday parties.
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Cheesy Mashed Potato Spinach Casserole is perfect for your holiday table. Mashed potatoes combined with parmesan cheese, onions, garlic and spinach make this casserole extra delicious! If you really want to up your mashed potato game, try this aligot recipe for the cheesiest mashed potatoes you’ll ever eat.
Generally speaking, I’m a mashed potato purist. I love butter, cream and a hefty pinch of salt in my mashed potatoes. But, every now and then I get out of my own way and try something new. I’m glad I did because this potato spinach casserole is delicious.
It is creamy and cheesy, but not overpoweringly so, and because it has spinach, I feel a little better about the cream and cheese.
This recipe for potato spinach casserole is sponsored by my friends at Idaho® Potato. I am so pleased to work with them. As always, all opinions, recipe and photos are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Pook’s Pantry.
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