DNI Winter Wonderland Recipes

Winter Wonderland Recipes D AT E N I G H T I N B O X

Complimentary Dinner Menu

THIS MONTH’S WINTER WONDERLAND DINNER MENU HAS BEEN THOUGHTFULLY PREPARED FOR YOU

BY OUR FRIEND & BLOGGER MARINA.

Hi, friends! I’m Marina from Marina Makes. Each year, I look

MARINAMAKESBLOG.COM

forward to the first snowfall. Watching the snow glide down from the sky brings me so much peace - it’s so beautiful and delicate. Of course, while watching the snow, I have to have a hot drink and warm meal on hand. Priorities!

This month’s menu includes some of my favorite winter staples to keep you and your taste buds warm: a hot toddy, creamy pancetta with sweet pea gnocchi, parmesan and garlic crostini and homemade peppermint pudding - each filled with so much flavor. I’d love to see how your food turns out, so please feel free to share pictures on social media; don’t forget to use the hashtag #marinamakeseats.

Happy eating!

TOOLS

--------

Spoons for stirring Glasses/mugs for drinks Shot glass Cutting board Serrated knife

HINT

-------

Pastry brush

If you can’t find diced pancetta, go

Large frying pan

to the deli at your grocery store and

Medium pot

ask them to slice the pancetta about

Whisk

a fourth-inch thick and dice it at

Small saucepan

home. Or, feel free to use prosciutto

Small ramekins

as a substitute. Cook full slices of

or serving bowls

prosciutto in a frying pan with a little

Small bowl

butter until crispy. You can dice it or

Baking sheet

break it apart once it’s cooled off.

Shopping Lists WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOUR TIME IS VALUABLE! IF YOU CHOOSE TO MAKE ANY OF THE RECIPES YOU CAN PRINT OUT A COMPLETE SHOPPING LIST! ENJOY!

DOWNLOAD & PRINT

Hot Toddy

PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 5 M I N .

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

------

4 tsp. of lemon juice

In a glass, add 2 tsp. of lemon

2 tbs. of honey

juice, 1 tbs. of honey and a

Cinnamon

pinch of cinnamon, and stir

2 shots of bourbon

to combine. Add 1 shot of

Hot water

bourbon and then hot water.

(about 1 – 1 1/2 cups)

Garnish with a lemon slice and

Lemon slices

cinnamon stick. Repeat steps

Cinnamon sticks

with second glass.

---

Lemon Honey Tea

PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 5 M I N .

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

-------

3 cups of hot water

In a mug or glass, add one and

2 lemon tea bags

a half cups of hot water and

2 tablespoons of honey

drop the lemon tea bag inside.

Cinnamon

Leave the tea bag in for a

Lemon slices

minute or so and then remove.

Cinnamon sticks

Add the honey and a pinch of cinnamon, using a spoon to combine. Top with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Repeat steps with second glass.

Parmesan & Garlic Crostini

PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 1 5 M I N .

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

--

Demi baguette

Preheat the oven to 350

(GF option: GF baguette)

degrees.

-----

1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil 1 small garlic clove, minced Salt 1/2 – 3/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese

Using a cutting board and serrated knife, cut the baguette into half inch slices. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic and a couple pinches of salt.

Place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Using a pastry brush or spoon, brush a small amount of the oil mixture onto the bread slices. Top with parmesan and bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.

Pancetta & Sweet Pea Gnocchi

PREP TIME: 10 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 2 0 - 3 0 M I N .

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

--

5 oz. of pancetta, diced

In a large frying pan, cook the pancetta until crispy and cooked

(veg. option: leave out

through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pancetta and set aside, but

pancetta)

leave the drippings in the pan.

--

16-17 oz. package of

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of

gnocchi (GF option: GF

-----

salt and stir to combine. Add the gnocchi to the saucepan and cook 1

pasta)

minute less than instructed on the packaging. Drain the gnocchi and

1 tbs. of butter

set aside until the sauce is done.

2 small garlic cloves, minced

While the gnocchi is cooking, make the sauce. In the same large

1 1/2 cups of half and

frying pan used to cook the pancetta, melt the butter over medium

half

heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the half and half

1 cup of shredded

and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the cream to boil for

parmesan cheese (more

-----

about 2 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in

for garnish)

the parmesan, and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Whisk until the

Salt

cheese is melted.

Pepper 1/2 cup of frozen sweet

Add the pancetta, peas and gnocchi to the sauce, stirring to combine.

peas, thawed

Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve in dishes and

Fresh basil, chopped

top with parmesan and basil.

Homemade Peppermint Pudding

PREP TIME: 5-7 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 2 H O U R S & 1 0 M I N .

INGREDIENTS

DIRECTIONS

---

2 tbs. of cornstarch

In a small saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch,

1/2 cup of

sugar and a pinch of salt until combined. Slowly

granulated sugar

whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Cook the

Salt

mixture over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes

1 cup of heavy

until thickened.

-----

cream 1/2 cup of milk 1 tsp. of peppermint extract

Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract.

Place in ramekins or small serving bowls and chill in the refrigerator for two hours.

Share the Love! # M A R I N A M A K E S E AT S @ D AT E N I G H T I N B O X # D AT E N I G H T I N B O X # D N I W I N T E RW O N D E R L A N D