This week’s menu is all about celebrations and cooking for a crowd. If you’re looking for appetizer ideas, check out the line-up of easy appetizer recipe hacks I posted last year. I also have a collection of 10 holiday desserts, which you can find here. Happy holidays to all!
Instant Pot Farro Risotto with Mushrooms and Pecans
Serve this on Christmas as a side dish or as a vegetarian main (up the fancy-factor by using wild mushrooms in place of some or all of the creminis). Make it in the Instant Pot if you have one or on the stove top if you don’t. You’ll find stove top instructions in the headnote of the recipe.
Genius Butternut Squash Soup
This is a stupid-simple recipe that is a standard in our house. Serve it as a starter for your holiday dinner or make it for a simple supper with crusty bread on the side. Because it’s made with coconut milk instead of cream, it perfect for folks who don’t do dairy.
Greek Chicken and Potatoes
This six-ingredient dinner is not to be missed. It’s all done on a single sheet pan and loaded with flavor thanks to the magical mashup of olive oil, garlic, lemon, and oregano. All you need is a salad or veggie side for a very delicious dinner. Consider the Arugula/Delicata Squash Salad below and I’d say this qualifies as holiday table-worthy.
Homemade Gnocchi with Nana’s Tomato Sauce
I hadn’t made gnocchi in ages, but we pulled this recipe out last night and made it as a family for dinner. It’s pretty much my favorite way to be with my people! If you’re looking for a quicker sauce than in the recipe, do a double batch of the sauce on this pasta. For salad, toss together a mix of favorites lettuces (I like a combo of butter lettuce, arugula, and any chicories (ie radicchio and endive) and servedit with this vinaigrette.
Sweet Potato Latkes
These latkes are delicious any time of year, but are especially timely during Hanukkah. Made with squash and sweet potatoes, they’re a little different than the norm. I like to serve them with crème fraîche and a colorful salad, such as this one with baby kale, roasted grapes, and persimmons.
Arugula and Delicata Squash Salad with Pomegranate & Goat Cheese
Make this salad for your holiday table or as part of an everyday supper. Either way, it’s bright and festive and so so good! If you want an extra flavor boost, add 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, sumac, or curry powder to the squash before roasting.
Raspberry Buttermilk Coffee Cake
This is a good one if guests are about and you want something special to set out in the morning with a pot of coffee or the afternoon with tea. It can be made a day ahead, so if you want to serve this for Christmas you can do the work in advance.
Shopping List
Instant Pot Farro Risotto
1 cup pecan halves
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 large yellow onion
3/4 pound cremini or white mushrooms
½ cup dry white wine (substitute low-sodium vegetable broth, if preferred)
2 sprigs thyme
1 ½ cups farro
3 to 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
3 cups stemmed, chopped hearty greens, such as kale, collards, or chard
1 small chunk Pecorino or Parmesan cheese to grate over the top
Genius Butternut Squash Soup
1 large yellow onion
1 large butternut squash (~3 1/4 pounds)
5 ounces full fat coconut milk
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/2 to 1 cup low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth
1 tablespoon fresh sage (optional)
Homemade Gnocchi with Nana’s Tomato Sauce
3 pounds large baking potatoes
2 large eggs
1 large egg yolk
Pinch nutmeg
2 cups all-purpose flour
Parmesan cheese, for garnish
8 pounds fresh Roma tomatoes
6 large cloves garlic
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 medium yellow onions
1 cup red wine
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1 tablespoon toasted whole fennel seeds
¼ cup chopped fresh oregano or 1 ½ tablespoons dried
1 cup loosely packed Italian parsley leaves
1 bay leaf, fresh or dried
¼ teaspoon chili flakes
Greek Chicken and Potatoes
1 whole chicken (3 to 3 1/2 pounds)
3 lemons
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons dried oregano
11 cloves garlic
8 medium white or red potatoes
Sweet Potato and Butternut Squash Latkes
1/2 pound sweet potatoes
1/2 pound butternut squash
1 small onion
2 eggs
2 heaping tablespoons unbleached all-purpose flour or potato starch
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
Few drops of Tabasco
Mild oil with a medium-high smoke point (such as grapeseed, sunflower, avocado)
Labneh (or Greek Yogurt or creme fraiche)
Harissa
Smoked salt (or fleur de sel, or other finishing salt)
Arugula and Delicata Squash Salad with Pomegranate and Goat Cheese
1 delicata squash
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon white/mellow miso paste
1 teaspoon honey
1 1/2 tablespoons white wine or champagne vinegar
3 generous handfuls arugula
1/2 cup pomegranate seeds (arils)
1/3 cup crumbled chève (goat cheese) or feta cheese
Raspberry Streusel Coffee Cake
1/2 cup butter
2/3 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Zest of 1 medium orange
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup low fat buttermilk
1 2/3 cups frozen raspberries not defrosted
3 tablespoons packed brown sugar
½ teaspoon ground cardamom
1/3 cup chopped pecans
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