5 Super Delicious Fun and Simple Holiday Desserts

Holidays…the most wonderful time of the year, especially in the kitchen! Cooking with family and friends, while celebrating the joys of the season, with delicious food, is by far the best part of the holiday season. From cookie baking right up through New Year’s Day dinner, we’ve got lots of wonderful and delicious holiday dishes to share. This week, it’s all about dessert!

Coconut Creme Cupcakes

Might as well start with my Jeff’s favorite holiday dessert! He is a coconut guy, and my Coconut Creme Cupcakes are by far his favorite dessert to celebrate any occasion. Light, fluffy cake with a creamy mascarpone cream cheese frosting, so simple to prepare in advance and what’s easier than passing a beautiful platter of cupcakes around the holiday table after dinner. Super delicious with a glass of Champagne or Prosecco…the icing on the cake and a great grande finale to a wonderful holiday celebration.

Georgia Pecan Tart

My Pecan Tart is some kind of holiday wonderful. Sweet Georgia pecans baked in a custard with orange zest and Grand Marnier orange liqueur adding depth of flavor and decadence. On its own or with a nice scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, this decadent tart is luxuriously delicious!

Tiramisu Trife

Everyone loves a Christmas Trifle, why not Tiramisu Trifle! This one is light and fluffy but rich in flavor, espresso, amaretto and chocolate with soft spongy lady fingers and whipped mascarpone cream. Another super Fun & Simple dessert that is made ahead and so easy to serve. Just pass the entire Trifle Bowl around the table after dinner for everyone to dig right in! The perfect way to serve this light, creamy and elegant holiday dessert.

Pear Cranberry Crumble with Gingered Mascarpone Cream

Fresh fruit crumbles with seasonal fruits are one of my favorite desserts any time of year, especially when entertaining. So simple to prepare in advance, then just bake while everyone is enjoying dinner to have a fresh from the oven warm, soothing dessert. My holiday crumble is a combination of pears and cranberries with ginger, lemon zest, warm aromatic spices and crunchy ginger snaps and toasted almonds in the crumble. Topped with a dollop of gingered mascarpone cream and you have one soothing holiday dessert. Not to mention, it’s also wonderful the next morning for breakfast!

Festive Pumpkin Cake

This delicious Christmas Cake is also a great alternative to a traditional pumpkin pie. All of the warm aromatics of the season, pumpkin, fresh cranberries and toasted walnuts with a dollop of cinnamon whipped cream on the side, this moist and delicious cake will have everyone asking for seconds.

I hope you enjoy these holiday dessert ideas. My father always said that calories don’t count on holidays or your birthday, so enjoy every delicious morsel! Wishing you the “sweetest” of holidays!

It’s not too late to get your copy of Fun & Simple Gourmet for more wonderful recipes and menu planning ideas for every occasion. And, it makes a great gift for the Foodie on your holiday gift list!

ALSO AVAILABLE AT ITUNES FOR YOUR IPAD!

5 Beautiful Fun and Simple Side Dishes For Thanksgiving Entertaining

So, you’re planning your Thanksgiving Feast and your stuck. You know you need a turkey, have to have mashed potatoes, got your favorite wine selected and your signature pumpkin pie, but you’re thinking, what in the world am I going to serve for side dishes. You want something different, not the same old thing, and you want fresh, colorful, delicious AND simple to prepare with so much else going on Thanksgiving Day. We’ve got you covered with these wonderful Fun & Simple side dishes to compliment your beautiful Thanksgiving celebration. This Roasted Acorn Squash with figs, proscuitto and parmigiano is a great place to start. Sweet and savory, perfect with all of your Thanksgiving dinner staples. Served at room temperature, this dish can be prepared completely in advance without any last minute prep or rushing around to get it on the table!

Being a vegetable person in general, I always want at least one green salad to compliment every festive holiday celebration, plus it’s great for digestion, especially when you know you are going to overeat anyway! This delicious Fig Balsamic Salad is one of my favorite salads anytime fresh figs are in season and isn’t it just wonderful that fig season happens fall during Thanksgiving! Figs are very rich in minerals like potassium and magnesium a super great source of antioxidants and high in fiber and deliciously sweet. The sweetness of the figs, peppery arugula, salty bite of the parmigiana and tartness of the fig balsamic dressing make this salad a match made in fig heaven!

I don’t know about you, but for me, it wouldn’t be a holiday dinner without Brussels Sprouts. So versatile, they can be prepared in so many different ways! I could do an entire blog, cookbook almost, just with variations of Brussels Sprouts recipes. They can also be prepared as a sweet or savory dish, or a combination. Add a little crispy chopped pancetta to any variation to add another whole layer of rich flavor. This year, I am going sweet, Roasted Brussels Sprouts in a sweet maple, olive oil, pomegranate and citrus syrup topped with crunchy fresh pomegranate seeds. Pomegranate is the super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory and with Brussels Sprouts’ high levels of fiber, minerals and vitamins and ability to help control blood sugar levels, you have one super healthy and delicious side dish. Should totally cancel out the salty crisp pancetta, that would certainly add a rich savory component right on top of this dish…right?!

Being a pasta girl, I always have to have a side of pasta or risotto on my holiday table. This year it will be my warm and soothing Porcini Mushroom Risotto with white truffle essence. I use the oven method for preparing the risotto and therefore it can be prepared mostly in advance, perfect for a holiday meal. Then it just takes a few minutes to finish while the rest of the dishes are being prepped for the table. Super Fun & Simple and incredibly delicious!

This dish is a great combination of a green salad and a squash dish, making it the perfect two-in-one side. I did this one with butternut squash, but I’ve also used acorn squash and sweet potatoes, all three are absolutely delicious and the combination of the green salad, crunchy toasted pecans, pomegranate seeds and creamy chevre goat cheese crumbles just scream holiday! Another beautiful and super healthy dish for any fall or winter festive celebration. You will see this Butternut Squash Salad again next month paired with my Pecan Salmon for a delicious Holiday Menu alternative which will feature lots of amazing pecan centric dishes...stay tuned for this one, you are going to love the recipes!

Stay tuned for a list of my favorite holiday desserts, just in case you need a few more Fun & Simple ideas this holiday season. And don’t forget to watch for the special edition Holiday Pecan Recipes coming out next month. When it comes to Fun & Simply Delicious and Elegant holiday entertaining, we’ve got you covered! If you don’t have your copy of Fun & Simple Gourmet yet, there’s still time to get it in time for your holiday entertaining…AND, it makes a super great holiday gift for the Foodie on your list! Filled with gorgeous photos and yummy Fun & Simple recipes for delicious enjoyment for every occasion all the year through!

Wishing you a very Happy and Grateful Thanksgiving. I’m feeling super blessed this year and hope that you are too! From our little island to wherever you are celebrating this year…HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

A Merry Merry Holiday Menu

Everyone has been asking me what I’m preparing for our holiday celebrations this year, so I decided to share my menus. The one thing that I always talk about is planning. Being organized isn’t just a good idea, it makes serving a holiday feast, or entertaining a crowd so easy! It doesn’t have to be difficult or daunting, it is meant to be fun, especially for the cook! And, don’t be afraid to let guests bring a dish if they offer, whether it’s an appetizer, side dish or dessert, it never hurts to have a little help and it saves room in your kitchen while you focus on preparing the main dishes. My favorite thing about the holidays is the cooking, so, I will do a big holiday dinner on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Call me crazy I know, but I really do love doing it. Here’s a preview of this year’s Christmas Eve dinner which always includes a pasta dish, this year Fettuccine with Brown Butter & Sage, Toasted Hazelnuts finished with Hazelnut Pesto.

Fettuccine with Brown Butter, Sage & Hazelnut Pesto

Pear Pomegranate Salad

Beef Tenderloin & Roasted Root Vegetables

Georgia Pecan Tart

Fig Cake

I usually start 2-3 days in advance of the holiday just getting little things together to save time the day of. Desserts usually come first. My fig cake is moist and can be baked at least 2 days in advance. The glaze can also be prepared 2 days in advance and kept in the refrigerator, then just spooned over the cake the morning of. And this rich and delicious Pecan Tart can also be prepared a day or 2 in advance. Just store in the refrigerator until the morning of, and bring it out to room temperature before serving.  There’s nothing wrong with re-heating slightly it in the microwave just before serving to bring back the fresh from the oven ooey gooeyness!

The day before is perfect for making salad dressing, cooking side vegetables and potatoes, like mashed potatoes that can easily be reheated in the microwave while the meat is resting, just be sure to bring back to room temperature before re-heating.  Haricots Vert can be blanched the day before, and then heated through in a sauté pan with unsalted butter.  The shallots and fennel can be roasted early the morning of and just left at room temperature until added to the sauté with the beans. These are both staple sides on my Christmas Day Holiday Table.

Haricots Vert with Roasted Shallot & Fennel

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

And, it woudn’t be Christmas without Jeff’s favorite Coconut Creme Cupcakes! His favorite special occasion dessert, so he gets them twice a year, Christmas Day and his birthday.

Coconut Creme Cupcakes

That’s it! Fun & Simple yet elegant and delicious. That’s my kind of holiday! Wishing you and you’re a  most wonderful and delicious holiday season and safe, happy and healthy new year!

Here are some of my favorite tools of the trade for preparing these dishes perfectly every time!

Festive Fun & Simple Ideas for Holiday Entertaining

Festive Holiday Pumpkin-Cranberry Cake

Tis’ the season for holiday entertaining, and there’s nothing like being prepared! Holiday entertaining can be stressful, but don’t let the idea of it interfere with your holiday joy! This week I’ve included a few fun & simple holiday dishes that can be prepared in advance, taking all the stress out of last minute entertaining and holiday gatherings. They are all super great appetizers and desserts to take to the party as well!

It’s all about the prep, and by doing things in advance and keeping a few simple things on hand for the holidays, entertaining can be fun…and simple!

Funghi Brie Appetizer

Shrimp or Lobster Wontons

Corn Chowder with Lobster

Holiday Shrimp Cocktail

Now, let’s get to that cake! This beautifully delicious Festive Pumpkin Cranberry Cake can easily be made in advance and kept in the freezer up to one month. Then, when it’s time to serve just dust with a little powdered sugar and a dollop of mascarpone whipped cream! Fun & Simple holiday entertaining at its best! Pumpkin is my favorite holiday ingredient and combined with fresh cranberries, a dynamic duo.  Add the soothing aroma of warm spices, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves, and you have a holiday cake that soothes the soul, not to mention makes the kitchen smell amazing while its baking! Here’s the recipe:

Start with these ingredients:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease pan with non-stick cooking spray, and set aside.  Mix dry ingredients well, with paddle attachment of electric stand mixer or whisk together in a large bowl, then add:

Stir until combined on low speed of electric or stand mixer, then mix no longer than one minute on medium speed.  Remove from mixer and gently fold in cranberries. Pour batter into pumpkin baking pan until ¾ full. Smooth with spatula and allow to rest for 10 minutes before placing in the oven. Bake 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool slightly on wire rack, 3-5 minutes, then carefully remove from the pan.  Using a smooth bladed knife, carefully loosen the edges and place the wire rack on top of the baking pan.  Invert and carefully lift the baking pan up and away from the cake.  Serve warm or room temperature.

The cake freezes beautifully for up to a month.  Cool completely and store in sealed freezer bags.  When ready to serve, the cake can be heated directly from the freezer to the microwave.  It will taste as if it came fresh from the oven! Then just dust with a little powdered sugar, giving it a fresh fallen snow affect!

I like to serve each slice with a dollop of mascarpone whipped cream! Super simple…In a cold bowl, add

Whip with the whisk attachment of your stand mixer (or regular mixer) until soft peaks form. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

If you like nuts, ½ cup of toasted chopped walnuts is an excellent addition to the cake and can be added with the cranberries. You will want to toss them in a little flour also before adding to the batter.

That’s it! Fun & Simple, Gigi Style. I hope you enjoy these hassle free dishes during your holiday seasoning! If you still need a little something for the Foodie on your holiday gift list, there’s still time to have a signed copy of Fun & Simple Gourmet shipped in time for Christmas! You can also download on your devices (iPhone & iPad) at iTunes! In the meantime, enjoy this most wonderful time of year! Wishing you and your family a most fabulous holiday, and remember…

RELATED PRODUCTS

Leave it to Amazon to have everything you need for holiday entertaining preparation! My favorite organic pumpkin and this great little pumpkin loaf pan, perfect for this Festive Cake. This Kitchen Aide Stand Mixer is a great starter and on sale now at over 40% off. Tell Santa to add it to your Christmas List! I’ve had mine over 20 years and can’t live without it

Holiday Entertaining Tips ~ Fun & Simple Style!

1.  Casual Elegance is always my motif.  It’s easy, comfortable but still lovely and beautiful.  I want my guests to feel relaxed and content but also special.  I like an eclectic combination of casual and formal, all on the same table, makes it fun and festive without being over stuffy.

2.  Select a theme or color.  Choosing a theme and/or color helps make everything else come together with ease.  Of course, the holidays make it super easy because the main theme is already set. Then it’s down to selecting a color combination. Make it simple and use table top accessories you already have, just make them a little festive. Red, green, silver, gold, all fantastic holiday colors, and there is nothing wrong with simple white napkins, rolled and tied with a pretty gold holiday ribbon.  

Gigi Holiday Bellini (click here for recipe)

3.  Welcome Guests with a Special Greeting. Set the tone with a simple glass of champagne with a rosemary stalk or my festive Holiday Bellini, blood orange, Prosecco and Grand Marnier, that will get your guests in a celebration mood!

4.  Celebrate the Season.  Focus on flowers or greenery for the table that exude the holidays. Fresh herbs like rosemary stalks and fresh cranberries are a great way to decorate the table. I like using all white candles in hurricanes with fresh cranberries and rosemary around the candles. 

5.  Fun Place Cards.  Wine corks make great place card holders.  Using a serrated knife, simply cut a ¼ inch slit into the top of the cork and slide the place card into the slit. I sometimes even use the wine corks as the place card by writing the names on the cork with a Sharpie!  Champagne corks are fun place card holders, especially for holiday entertaining!  Another fun and festive place card is a simple candy cane.  Punch a hole in your place card, and tie around a candy cane with holiday ribbon. 

6.  Fun Water Service. How simple is just adding festive fruit or herbs to your water pitcher or water glasses, it doesn’t take a lot of effort, to make it extra special.  For the holidays I like serving water with apple slices and cinnamon sticks or orange slices with cranberries and sage leaves, even lemon slices with rosemary sprigs, all add flavor and festive décor.

7.  Little Gifts.  I like to send a little gift home with everyone, even if it is just a simple chocolate holiday candy, a little bag of your Christmas cookies, even a candy cane with a pretty ribbon tied around it or a mini-bottle of their favorite cordial or liqueur.  A little something makes a lovely lasting impression. 

8.  Lastly and Most Importantly! Do as much as you can in advance! This simple task makes holiday entertaining so much easier! Entertaining is supposed to be fun for everyone, especially the host! You can do things like setting the table a few days in advance and a little prep every day really adds up to saving time and stress! Also, it is really not necessary to have several side dishes or desserts. One of my favorite lines, that I use a lot is, "more isn't always better, it's just more!"

Pear-Pomegranate Salad, Creamy Mashed Potatoes & Haricot Verts Roasted Shallots & Fennel

Pick your favorite salad, potato or starch, and one vegetable that compliment your main dish, and stick with those. And don’t be afraid to let your guests help! It’s fun to cook together, and if they offer to bring something, let them! An appetizer, bottle of wine, even a side dish or dessert, it just makes the main event even easier on you! These are my sides this holiday to be served with my Porc Aux Figues for Christmas Dinner! 

Stay tuned for more holiday menu ideas and recipes! Feel free to reach out with any questions or recipe requests and in the meantime...

Enjoy this holiday season and have fun entertaining your family and friends! Wishing you the happiest of holidays and a most wonderful year ahead!  Cheers!

Merry Christmas from 21 Club NYC!