Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. The stockings were hung as we slumbered in our nook hoping that Santa would bring us a cook! … Author unknown.
Maybe no chef, but here are some fun recipes to make your Christmas Special
PROSECCO, GRAND MARNIER, COCKTAIL
Preparation time: 2 minutes. Serves: 1
Prosecco
Grand Marnier
Cranberry Juice
GARNISH:
Sprig of Rosemary
Cranberries or Raspberries
In a champagne flute, combine Prosecco, Grand Marnier, and Cranberry juice. Garnish. Merry Christmas!
CHRISTMAS TREE OF MIXED OLIVES & SUNDRIED TOMATOES (A show stopper!)
Preparation time: 30 minutes. Serves: Many
SPREAD FOR SHAPE:
2 cups goat cheese, softened
2 cups cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/2 cup red bell peppers, diced
1/4 cup dill pickles, finely diced
1/4 cup chives, chopped
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tsp. garlic powder
CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS:
2 cups pitted mixed olives (black and green), drained
1/3 cup sun-dried tomatoes in oil, drained and chopped (save oil)
Small Rosemary sprigs
Yellow Bell pepper
In a bowl, combine all the ingredients for the spread; mix well. Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a flat kitchen work surface. Scoop the goat cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap. Using your hands and some plastic wrap* mold the mixture into a tree shape with a wide base (makes a more stable tree) and place on a serving plate. Smooth the sides of tree mixture, if necessary.
Now it is your turn to be creative as you ‘decorate the tree’. Arrange the mixed olives, tomatoes, and Rosemary sprigs; pressing each one lightly into the mixture. When finished and for extra flavor, brush olives with some of the sun dried tomato oil. Cut a star out of the yellow bell pepper and place on the top.
*Instead of plastic wrap I use either a shower hat on my hands or thin plastic gloves.
Tip: Before decorating the tree, be sure to pat dry, each olive and sun dried tomato with a paper towel.
Tip: While decorating, if your goat cheese mixture gets too soft and it is difficult to hold its shape, refrigerate it for a while.
Note: Maybe made ahead. Will keep in refrigerator for 24-48 hours.
Also, I halved the ingredients for the tree in this photo.
PIQUILLO PEPPERS WITH PAPRIKA TUNA SALAD
Preparation time: 15 minutes. Serves: 4
2 (6 oz.) cans tuna in oil, drained
½ tsp. smoked paprika
½ tsp. lemon zest
2 tbsp. lemon juice
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 jar (about 12) whole piquillo peppers
12 large fresh basil leaves
In a bowl, flake tuna. Add paprika, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, pepper and oil; mix well.
Dry piquillo peppers on paper towels. Carefully split peppers open, remove seeds, and lay flat. Place a basil leaf on each, with the tip of basil leaf showing on edge of pepper. Top with 1 Tbsp. tuna mixture. Carefully roll to close and place on serving dish. Drizzle with a little extra oil. Serve.
Capt. Jan Robinson’s Ship to Shore Cookbook Collection is available at your local marine or bookstore. Visit: www.shiptoshoreINC.com Email: CapJan@aol.com.
