EDIBLES
Entertain in style
(Family Features) It’s never too early to plan ahead, especially when you are expecting guests in your home. Your family and friends know and might love your style, but it can be important to spice things up now and again to impress your visitors. Factors such as lights, music and food can affect your guests experience in your home.
To remain stylish and keep your party going, consider these tips for fun and festive home entertaining.
Back to Basics.
Staying organized is key while entertaining guests in your home. Try to plan out every detail before the big event, which can allow things to go more smoothly on the big day. As you think out your plan ahead of time, making lists can be a helpful way to stay organized and ensure you get everything done. List out your guests, what needs to be picked up from the store and possible decorations you might need to buy or craft yourself. The possibilities can seem endless, but it’s important to have a plan in place before you start putting things together.
Think about Theme.
There are numerous ways your style can be shown while entertaining. One way is to pick a theme or theme-related food dishes. One way to show your theme is through decorations. Placing them throughout your home can give the party some life and help guests get into the overall theme of the party.
Light up the Party.
Transforming your home can be made simpler by changing the lighting. It’s typical for lights to be dimmed for parties to set a more relaxed mood. Other ideas include using candles, lamps or even hanging lanterns if you are entertaining outside. Make sure it’s bright enough so everyone can see, but dimmed enough to set the mood for the evening’s events.
Set the Mood with Music.
Pick music that matches your theme and inspires that same feel throughout the house. If you’re going for a fun, energetic atmosphere, try something with a quick tempo, such as pop. If you’re wanting to relax, go for subtler, soothing tones. Try making your playlist before you entertain and listen to it a few times through, that way you can know what to expect and how guests will react to your music selections.
Enjoy it.
Through all the anxiety and stress of entertainment planning, make sure you take time to enjoy yourself during the time guests are in your home. Some guests will notice if you’re not having a good time. Smile and remember to be present in the moment.
Find more entertainment tips at eLivingToday.com.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
SOURCE:
eLivingToday.com
EDIBLES
Transform holiday leftovers into vibrant, flavorful meals
(Family Features) Once your holiday feast comes to pass, you’re almost certain to find your refrigerator stuffed with leftovers. However, that doesn’t mean you want to eat the same meal again and again in the days that follow.
The star of many seasonal celebrations, turkey can be reused in a variety of post-holiday dishes to cut down on food waste and create fresh new meals your whole family can enjoy. Featuring a unique blend of 100% natural chili peppers, lime and sea salt, Tajín pairs perfectly with turkey, making it a go-to for creative leftovers.
Gone are the days of simply reheating turkey and stuffing or making a turkey sandwich. Instead, reinvent your holiday extras through fresh takes on classic dishes like this comforting Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie or spicy Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos.
For more holiday recipe inspiration, visit tajin.com/us.
Leftover Holiday Biscuit Pot Pie
Total time: 45 minutes
Servings: 4
Biscuits:
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter
- 2/3 cup buttermilk
- 1 tablespoon butter, melted
Turkey Pot Pie Filling:
- 1/2 cup turkey fat
- 1 1/2 cups diced onion
- 1 1/2 cups diced carrots
- 1 1/2 cups diced celery
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon chopped thyme
- 1 tablespoon diamond crystal coarse salt
- 1 tablespoon coarse black pepper
- 1 cup all-purpose flour, divided
- 8 cups cold turkey stock
- Tajín Clasico Seasoning, to taste (about 1 tablespoon)
- 6 cups leftover cooked turkey, chopped
- To make biscuits: In mixing bowl, combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and cream of tartar.
- Grate butter and mix with dry ingredients.
- Carefully add buttermilk and mix until incorporated.
- Fold over 5-6 times, roll out and cut into 10-12 rounds.
- Place cut biscuits on floured surface.
- Refrigerate 30 minutes.
- To make turkey pot pie filling: Preheat oven to 375 F.
- Heat large pot over high heat and add turkey fat.
- Add onions, carrots, celery, bay leaf, garlic, thyme, salt and pepper; gently sweat.
- Add 1/2 cup flour and cook 2-3 minutes.
- Add turkey stock 2 cups at a time, allowing to thicken before adding more.
- In bowl, mix remaining flour with turkey.
- Add turkey pot, bring to simmer until thickened.
- Add seasoning, to taste.
- Add pot pie filling to casserole dish and gently place biscuits closely together on top.
- Brush biscuits with melted butter and bake 25-30 minutes.
- Remove from oven and cool 10-15 minutes before serving.
Leftover Turkey Carnitas Tacos
Total time: 25 minutes
Servings: 2 (2-3 tacos each)
- 4-6 garlic cloves, peeled and separated
- 1 pinch salt
- 1/2 cup fresh bitter orange juice or fresh lime juice with fresh orange juice combo
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 teaspoon Tajín Clasico Seasoning
- 1 cup leftover turkey, shredded
- 1 cup duck fat, ghee or high smoke point oil of choice
- 4-6 tortillas
Toppings (optional):
- pico de gallo
- pickled onions
- cilantro
- pomegranate seeds
- avocado
- With mortar and pestle, crush together garlic cloves and salt, make paste and place in medium bowl.
- Stir in juice, olive oil and seasoning.
- Fold mojo into shredded turkey meat.
- In large, heavy-bottomed pot over high heat, melt duck fat and wait until it forms a wave. Add turkey, in batches, stirring often, until meat turns light golden brown, then lower heat to medium. Turn off heat.
- Heat up tortillas, place turkey carnitas on top and add pico de gallo, pickled onions, cilantro, pomegranate seeds or avocado as desired.
Note: Once browned in duck fat, carnitas can be stored in the fat overnight and reheated over low heat to melt fat and warm carnitas.
SOURCE:
Tajín
EDIBLES
Punch up your holiday beverage menu
(Culinary.net) This time of year is all about food and sweet desserts, but don’t forget to quench guests’ thirst with a seasonal sip. This Christmas Cranberry Punch offers a slightly less sweet take on traditional punch so you can add a touch of tart to the beverage cart. Visit Culinary.net to find more delicious holiday recipe ideas.
Christmas Cranberry Punch
- 1 package fresh cranberries
- 1 can pineapple chunks
- 3-4 rosemary twigs
- 6 cans lemon-lime soda, divided
- 64 ounces cranberry juice
- 20 ounces orange pineapple juice
- 1 orange
- The night before, place four cranberries, two pineapple chunks and a few rosemary sprigs in each hole of silicone muffin pan or ice tray. Cover with 1 can lemon-lime soda and freeze.
- Chill remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice overnight.
- In punch bowl, mix remaining soda, cranberry juice and orange pineapple juice. Slice orange into 5-6 slices. Add lemon-lime soda ice cubes, handful of cranberries and orange slices. Serve.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
EDIBLES
A sweet, savory, simple holiday side dish
(Culinary.net) No matter what your main course looks like at the holidays, this Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce offers a sweet yet savory complement. Plus, the surprise pop of flavor and color are perfect for a festive tablescape. Find more easy holiday recipes at Culinary.net.
Asparagus with Cranberry Sauce
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 6
- 1/2 pound bacon
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1 bunch fresh asparagus
- 1 can (14 ounces) whole cranberry sauce
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Using kitchen shears, cut bacon into pieces then fry in skillet. Drain and set aside.
- In same skillet, add butter and garlic powder. Add salt and pepper, to taste. Saute asparagus then add bacon back to pan.
- In saucepan over medium heat, heat cranberry sauce, brown sugar and balsamic vinegar.
- Place asparagus on platter and pour sauce on top.
SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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