Everyone has a favourite dressing for the fabulous Christmas Turkey that graces the table. This one is just a little different and is fabulous tasting. If you are in doubt, try it on a large chicken…well it is just a suggestion…..okay, I’m kidding!
- 2 leeks, cut in half, rinsed well and sliced
- 1 cup celery, ribs removed and thinly cut
- 1/2 cup butter
- pinch of pepper
- 1/8 tsp. dried cloves
- 8 cups dry bread crumbs
- 2 large firm pears, cored, sliced in wedges
- 1/2 cup crisp bacon, chopped
- 2 small oranges or 1 large, segmented using only the flesh
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar cheese
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large skillet, cook the leeks and celery in butter until tender (about 5-6 minutes). Stir in the pepper and cloves.
Put this in a large bowl and stir to mix together. Drizzle in the chicken broth and toss to combine. Stir in the cheese.
Grease a 3 quart casserole dish with butter and transfer the ingredients. Bake, covered for 50-55 minutes until cooked through.
**If you are using a 12-14 lb. turkey, you can simply stuff the turkey and bake it.
Enjoy and Merry Christmas.
Fruit-Dulce de Leche Napoleons
What an easy dessert to make…part of it can be made the day ahead and then you are off the hook, time-wise. Use any combination of fruit – ones you like best…could be strawberries and chocolate, bananas and the dulce de leche sauce, peaches with raspberries sauce…on and on.
- 1 sheet frozen puff pastry, thawed and cut in 6 rectangles
- 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 tbsp. icing sugar
- 2 bananas (your choice of fruit), cut on the diagonal
- 1/2 cup dulce de leche (your choice as above)
- 1/2 cup sweetened coconut, toasted OR finely chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place the pastry on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake until golden and puffed. This should take 13-15 minutes. Remove from oven and cool on a wire rack.
Beat the whipping cream and icing sugar until stiff peaks form. With a serrated knife, cut the pastry lengthwise in half. Reserve 4 tops.
Divide the bananas on 4 pastry bottoms, drizzle the caramel sauce over them. Use 2 tops and 2 bottoms and make the middle layer. Top this layer with whipped cream and coconut and top with the remaining pastry tops.
If you want to take it one step further, dust with icing sugar and serve immediately. These look like they came from the Bakery not your kitchen.
Hurray for you, you did it again!
The Devil’s Brew
I know, I know you thought I had given up on my signature drinks. This is a different drink but definitely one for summer evenings on the deck, at the lake…wherever!
- 1 cup crushed ice
- 2 cups chilled white wine
- 1/4 cup honey (more if needed)
- 1 cup sliced strawberries (fresh)
- 1 cup fresh papaya
- 1 cup cut up cantaloupe
- 1/2 cup gold kiwi, sliced
In a blender, combine half of all the ingredients and puree until smooth. Pour into a chilled pitcher.
Blend the remainder of the indredients and add to the pitcher. To serve, pour into chilled glasses. Umm…if you wish add the usual mint leaf or get clever and put a strawberry, cubes of papaya , kiwi and cantaloupe on a fancy pick and place across the glass.
Crispy Wonton Fruit Bites
These are so good and easy to make. It only takes a few minutes to get it ready for serving.
You need:
- 12 wonton wrappers
- 1 tbsp. unsalted butter, melted
- 3 tbsp. sugar (Berry sugar may be the better choice)
- 1/4 cup raw almonds, chopped fine
- 1 cup yogurt (strawberry, blueberry, whatever fruit you are using, match the yogurt)
- honey
- 1 1/4 cup sliced strawberries (or whatever fruit you choose)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place wrappers on a baking sheet and brush each one with butter. Sprinkle with almonds and sugar and bake until golden brown (6 mins). Transfer to rack to cool.
Divide evenly, top 6 wontons with yogurt and strawberries. Then top each one with remaining wontons. Lightly drizzle a scant amount of honey on top. Serve immediately. This only makes 6 servings so you know to add more to accommodate the number of servings you require.
Everyone loves these. Yummy!
Taste Rating: 8.8