your holiday
entertaining guide
table of contents Page 1
Family Christmas Party Page 4
New Years Cocktails
family christmas party
family christmas dinner Playlist This Christmas hit list is the perfect backdrop to this multi-generational shindig. You’ll hear all the classics from Mariah to Bing.
Cocktail Tequila is having a moment and we love the colors of this one.
Outfit This number is seasonal and flattering! This is a winner in our book.
Menu Given that this is a family friendly party, we’re suggesting a buffet of easy-to-eat food. Ham biscuits (homemade here or store-bought), beef tenderloin with horseradish sauce, a cheese board (inspiration here), shrimp cocktail, and a platter of cut-up storebought desserts should make everyone happy.
Seasonal Flowers If you’re hosting a large group, make it easy and don’t worry about flowers. Chances are your house already looks great with a tree, wreaths, etc. However, if you want to spruce up your buffet, we love the idea of cut boxwood in our low chinoiserie mantle box. Easy to arrange and the boxwood should last for a while.
30 min out checklist Turn on your tunes Mix up a big batch of your cocktail Set up your bar Open a bottle of white and a bottle of red Slice lemon and limes Pull out cocktail napkins Set out ice about 5 minutes before
Set up your buffet pull out napkins, cocktail plates if using, platters for food, etc. Pull out cocktail napkins Spot check your powder room add a fresh towel and a candle Plate all your appetizers Open your front door Pour yourself a drink
family christmas dinner recipes Grapefruit Rosemary Margarita Ingredients 2 oz tequila 2-3 sprigs of rosemary 1/2 oz agave in the raw 1.25 oz fresh grapefruit juice 1.25 oz fresh lime juice 1/2 t salt for rim Ice
Instructions 1. Salt the rim of the glass if you like by rubbing the edge with a wedge of lime and dipping in salt poured on a plate. 2. Fill your glass with ice. 3. Add rosemary and agave to a shaker and muddle. 4. Add tequila, grapefruit and lime juices and ice to the shaker. Shake for 10-15 seconds and double strain into glass. 5. Add an extra sprig of rosemary as garnish.
Virginia Country Ham Biscuits Ingredients All-purpose flour Baking soda and baking powder Kosher salt Sugar Butter Shortening or lard Buttermilk Country ham
Instructions 1. Prepare the biscuit dough, cut out the small biscuits, and bake in a 450 degree F oven for 10-12 minutes. Brush with melted butter and let them cool slightly. 2. Split a biscuit in half, spread both sides with butter or another condiment of choice, and add a couple of thin slices of Virginia country ham. Replace the top of the biscuit to close the sandwich and serve!
Shrimp Cocktail Ingredients
Instructions
Court Bouillon: 10 c cold water 2 medium carrots 2 stalks celery, quartered 1 large onion, quartered 1 head garlic, halved 1 lemon, halved 1/2 bunch parsley 5 sprigs fresh thyme 2 bay leaves Shrimp: 1 lb shrimp, in the shell, rinsed 1 tbsp kosher salt Cocktail Sauce: 1 c ketchup 1 lemon, finely grated and juiced 4 tsps prepared horseradish, 1/4 tsps Worcestershire sauce
1. Put the water, carrot, celery, onion, garlic, lemon, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves in a pot and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat to a simmer, set a cover on top slightly ajar, and cook for 10 to 30 minutes. 2. Drop the shrimp into the liquid and turn off the heat. Cook the shrimp, stirring occasionally, until they curl and turn pink, about 2 to 2 1/2 minutes for medium shrimp, 3 minutes for large ones. Drain and cool to room temperature. Peel the shrimp and remove the vein along the curve of the shrimp, if desired. Refrigerate if not serving right away. If refrigerated, bring the shrimp to room temperature 20 minutes before serving. Continue the recipe here or follow the QR code at the end of the guide
new years eve cocktails
new years eve cocktails Menu
Playlist There are so many fun options for music! For a yearin-review feel, we’d recommend finding one of those ‘top hits of 2023’ playlists. If all else fails, turn on n on Nancy Meyers’ Kitchen playlist.
Cocktail New Years Eve calls for champagne, so we’re suggesting a French 75. Refreshing (and sometimes lethal, wink wink) this cocktail will help you close 2023 out in style and usher in 2024.
Outfit
Keep the food easy and bite-sized with this appetizer spread: a trio of dips (whipped feta, dressed up hummus (store-bought topped with salsa), and guacamole); peanut sauce chicken skewers, and a charcuterie board.
Seasonal Flowers If you’re like us and have removed all traces of Christmas from your house, you’re craving a minimalistic look. We love the idea of just including candlelight throughout your cocktail spread (use our hurricanes and votives) and skipping anything more elaborate that that. A clean decor feels right!
We have a couple ideas for this event. For a fancier gathering (or if you’re headed out to a party after your cocktails), we love this number. If you are anticipating this being a more ‘cozy night in’ evening, then we’d go with this number.
30 min out checklist Turn on your tunes Make a batch of your French 75 Set up your bar
Pull out champagne glasses and wine glasses Spot check your powder room add a fresh towel and a candle
Open a bottle of white and a bottle of red
Plate all your appetizers
Slice lemon and limes
Open your front door
Pull out cocktail napkins
Pour yourself a drink
Set out ice about 5 minutes before
new years eve cocktails recipes French 75 Ingredients 1 oz gin 1/2 oz lemon juice, freshly squeezed 1/2 oz simple syrup 3 oz Champagne (or other sparkling wine) Garnish: lemon twist
Instructions 1. Add the gin, lemon juice and simple syrup to a shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled. 2. Strain into a Champagne flute. 3. Top with the Champagne. 4. Garnish with a lemon twist.
Whipped Feta Dip Ingredients 8 oz feta, crumbled 3/4 c plain Greek yogurt 1 to 2 garlic cloves, smashed 1/2 tsp sea salt 1/2 tsp onion powder 1/2 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp dried dill 1 tsp dried basil 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tbsp lemon juice
Instructions 1. In the base of a blender or food processor, combine the feta, yogurt, garlic, salt, onion powder, garlic powder, dill, basil, oregano, olive oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth, about 1 minute. 2. Garnish with herbs, chili flakes, and flaky salt if using. Serve with vegetables and pita bread on the side
Peanut Sauce-Marinated Chicken Skewers Ingredients ½ c creamy peanut butter 6 garlic cloves, minced 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari 2 tbsp toasted sesame oil 1 tbsp white vinegar 4 green onions, minced ¼ c fresh cilantro, minced, plus more for serving 2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp kosher salt 3 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 inch pieces Vegetable oil, for brushing 12 metal (6-inch) skewers ½ c peanuts, crushed, for serving
Instructions 1. In a large bowl, combine the peanut butter, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, white vinegar, half of the green onions, cilantro, ground ginger, and salt. 2. Add the chicken to the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Let marinate for at least 30 minutes or up to overnight covered in the refrigerator. 3. Preheat the oven to 400° F with a rack in the center position. Set a metal cooling rack inside of a rimmed sheet pan and brush rack with oil. 4. Remove the chicken from the marinade and allow any excess to drip off. Tightly thread the meat onto skewers, dividing evenly. Place the skewers on the prepared baking rack. Bake chicken for 20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F on an instant-read thermometer. 5. Serve the skewers family-style.
for live links to holiday recipes, playlists, and more, download the full guide here:
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