Guacamole with Pomegranate and Clementines

Serial Season 2 and my favorite Holiday Guacamole are getting me through the 5 o’clock hour. 馃槄 Avocado or good store bought guacamole Green onions, sliced Cilantro, chopped Lime juice Clementines, sectioned Pomegranate Seeds Another party in a bowl and in your mouth! I’m going to put this over grilled chicken breasts for dinner.

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Egg Nog Shake

True story. I went to the store to buy stuff for dinner (do they really all need to eat EVERY night?). I came out with ingredients for an Egg Nog Shake. Drove home and only then realized I had nothing for dinner. Scarlett won’t share with me so it’s really that good. Egg Nog Vanilla Ice Cream Salted Carmel Talenti Ice Cream Fresh Nutmeg Blend vanilla ice cream and egg nog (not too thick). Add a scoop of Salted Carmel ice cream and grate fresh nutmeg on top. HOLIDAY TIP- Fresh Nutmeg is a must!! It’s so good on so many things and doesn’t compare to the ground stuff.

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Christmas S’mores

These Christmas smores were a big hit on a rainy day! Melt white chocolate and dip each side of graham cracker in the white chocolate then into crushed candy canes. Once you’ve finished dipping put in fridge to chill and let chocolate form. Roast marshmallows and add chocolate as usual. These were yummy! *Another favorite was using Pretzel crisps instead of Graham crackers. The salty, sweet, and chocolate were the perfect combo.

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Brie, Pesto, and Tomato Crostini

I turned my favorite Holiday dip into delicious crostinis for a party the other night. Slice a baguette into thin slices.     Layer: Pesto (store bought is fine) Brie cheese Diced tomatoes Toasted pine nuts   Broil until cheese starts melting and tomatoes blister. If you prefer a dip- throw all ingredients into an oven proof dish and cook at 350 for 20-30 minutes. *chunk the Brie cheese so it melts throughout. You won’t go through another holiday season without this appetizer…Trust me!

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Br没l茅e Oatmeal

We’ve been lighting everything on fire over here with my new Br没l茅e torch. This mornings oatmeal was a favorite! Trader Joes frozen oatmeal Slice bananas and apples, cover in sugar and torch away! Other br没l茅e favorites: Marshmallows Prosciutto Sweet potatoes Macaroons Oranges Cinnamon sugar toast I bought my torch on Amazon for $19.99 but don’t forget to buy the butane gas too. It’s a great Christmas present and very easy to use. My kids have loved bruleeing everything in the kitchen!

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Peanut Butter Balls

Nothing says the holidays like a Sunday full of Peanut Butter Ball making at my house. Another family tradition I’ve carried on, and the only homemade item I’ll be serving for my Christmas Soiree this weekend (for 200). These are easy and delicious and I get in big trouble if I don’t have them around over the next couple of weeks. 2 C creamy peanut butter 4 C powdered sugar 1 C softened butter 2 tsp vanilla 2 bags of milk or semi sweet chocolate chips 1 Tb canola oil Take first four ingredients and beat until creamy. Form one inch balls and place in freezer. Melt chocolate chips and oil until melted in saut茅 pan. Turn off heat and with your hands dip frozen balls in chocolate. Once chocolate starts to thicken, turn heat on for another minute until warmed through. Continue dipping until all are done. Lay on parchment paper and stick back in fridge or freezer to set. They keep well in freezer or fridge but trust me they won’t be there for long!

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Blood Orange and Basil Mocktail

Prepping for my big Christmas Soir茅e this weekend, and can’t wait to serve this mouth watering mocktail! Muddle – Thai basil in glass or pitcher with ice Add -fresh blood orange juice and simple syrup (amounts will vary depending on your preference of sweetness. I don’t like it very sweet so I do 1/2 – 1/4 the amount of simple syrup to orange juice). Top- with sparkling water or club soda Rim with gold colored sprinkles and a slice of blood orange. *simple syrup is equal parts water and sugar boiled and reduced until combined. *make sure to use THAI basil

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Maple Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Maple Bacon wrapped Scallops for 200 was not a problem at my annual Christmas Soiree last night. Our Traeger Chef nailed it with these beauties! Ingredients: 12 Jumbo Sea Scallops 1/2 Cup Salted Butter 1/2 tsp Crushed Garlic 12 Thick Cut Maple Bacon Slices Fresh Ground Pepper Cayenne Pepper Smoked Paprika Preparation: Take scallops out, pat dry with paper towel and place in a large mixing bowel. In medium sauce pan melt the salted butter and bring to a boil then add crushed garlic. Bring sauce to a simmer and stir continuously for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. While sauce is cooling, lay bacon strips out on a cookie sheet and generously grind black pepper over the bacon. Once the sauce has cooled pour over the scallops in the mixing bowl and lightly stir. (be careful not to break the scallops) Remove scallops one at a time wrapping the bacon around the edge of the scallop, securing it with a tooth pick. You want make sure you’re wrapping it so that there is a flat top and…

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