Coconut White Russian

This Vegan White Russian cocktail is made with vodka, coffee liqueur, and coconut milk. It's dairy-free so that all your guests can have a glass. Cheers!

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12 Peppermint Products to Get You In The Holiday Spirit

Nothing against candy canes, but there are so many other delicious goodies that will make you feel fresh-to-death this time of year. Here are a dozen ways to get a minty blast from a seasonal treat. Snap ‘em up before they run out.

Wondermade Peppermint Marshmallows, $16 on Mouth

Mouth.com

Think of these sugary drops of heaven as hot chocolate’s BFF. Also, the box basically doubles as Christmas decor if you put it out on a shelf or, you know, near your bed.See it

The Barton Table Peppermint Hot Fudge Sauce, $14 on Mouth

Mouth.com

Drizzle it over ice cream, use it for dipping pretzels, or just have at the jar with a spoon. We won’t tell.See it

Ticket Chocolate Peppermint Artisan S’mores Kit, $22 on Mouth

Mouth.com

S’mores in a box but with all the holiday fixings you’re craving: peppermint marshmallows, milk chocolate peppermint bark, and chocolate graham crackers.See it

Eclat Chocolate Candy Cane Chocolate Bar, $10 on Mouth

Mouth.com

This striped chocolate bar—part white, part 72 percent dark— has a layer of peppermint-y goodness. No wrapping required for this gorgeous box (though we won’t blame you if you can’t really bring yourself to part with it).See it

Salty Road Peppermint Salt Water Taffy, $8.50 on Mouth

Mouth.com

If you just can’t with chocolate anymore, look to another sugar high. Seafarers and landlocked taffy obsessives alike will fall for this fresh flavor.See it

Peppermint Marshmallow Discs, $10 on Sur La Table

Sur la Table

These are the exact perfect size for topping a mug of steaming hot cocoa.See it

Peppermint Hot Chocolate, $22 on Sur La Table

Sur la Table

Not a marshmallow fan? We don’t get it…but we got you. Just get your peppermint fix straight from this brew.See it

Artisan Kettle Organic Peppermint White Chocolate Chips, $2.50 (originally $5.49) on World Market

World Market

Work these minty fresh white chocolate chips into a batch of chocolate chip cookies, or melt them in the microwave and drizzle over popcorn.See it

Salted Peppermint Bark Tin, $8.99 (originally $11.99) on World Market

World Market

It’s the sea salt that makes all the difference in this peppermint bark, housed in the kind of tin you keep even when January rolls around. Buy a couple of these in case a neighbor you think didn’t know your name comes by with a gift and you need a present in a pinch.See it

Republic of Tea Peppermint Chocolate Tea, $10.99 on World Market

World Market

Tea=healthy beverage. Basically, what we’re saying is never feel guilty about your chocolate obsession again.See it

Chocolate Peppermint Coffee, $22.44 (originally $29.88) on World Market

World Market

This festive blend is a pick-up-up for your mid-afternoon slump—and is so much less expensive than making a coffee-shop run.See it

Harry & David Dark Chocolate Peppermint Moose Munch Popcorn, $8.99 on World Market

Harry & David

Caramel popcorn, candied nuts, and dark chocolate are topped with crushed peppermint for an extremely addictive snack. This should absolutely be noshed on when wrapping gifts, obviously.See it

Related Video: Homemade Peppermint Patties

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13 Serving Dishes That Will Instantly Make Your Holiday Tablescapes More Beautiful

While the cooking is certainly important, and being surrounded by loved ones is probably non-negotiable, can we all agree that what truly makes a holiday meal special is all the fun, thematic decor? Plates adorned with Santa’s face, mugs decorated with snowy scenes, and napkins dressed up in wreaths are generally the norm each season, but you can also elevate your tablescapes with slightly more subtle holiday vibes. Here are just some of the chicest serveware we’ve laid our eyes on for that very purpose this year:

Farm Animal Dinnerware, Starting at $27.95 at Stone Wall Kitchen

A geometric pattern of chickens, cows, pigs and goats will give your table an updated farmhouse feel.See it

Peyton & Parker Plaid Mug Decorative Stand, $20, at JCPenney

JC Penny

Finally—a plaid mug set to sip your coffee or hot cocoa from on Christmas morning that’ll match those flannel pajamas from L.L. Bean.See it

Misto Tray, $69 at West Elm

West Elm

Throw on some Camembert, cheddar and blue cheeses, a variety of nuts, and dried fruits on this wood and stone beauty and you’ve got yourself the making of an award-worthy cheese board.See it

1960s Italian Brass Cocktail Pitcher, $107 at Restoration Hardware

Restoration Hardware

This 1960s-inspired brass cocktail pitcher will add warmth to your holiday tablescape—and serves a very important purpose: optimal hydration during and after all that holiday wine and Champagne.See it

Carnets D’Equateur Soup Plate, $225 at Hermes

Hermes

It’s certainly not your grandmother’s china, but what’s old is truly new again in Hermès’ Carnets d’Equateur collection—which depicts jaguars, panthers, macaws, and impalas through the lens of artist Robert Dallet.See it

Fishs Eddy Gilded Serving Platter, $49 at West Elm

West Elm

Your Christmas ham, turkey—or even seven fishes—will look extra fancy on this gilded serving platter.See it

Lipper International Large Acacia Wave Bowl with Salad Servers, $25.99 at Target

Target

Easy to clean, holiday appropriate, and yet somehow still right to repurpose for the rest of the year, you can extend your mid-century modern decor to the table with this environmentally friendly acacia salad bowl.See it

Cafe Cup Set of 6 Porcelain Cups, $84 at Tea Forte

Tea Forte

These classic porcelain tea cups will look decidedly cheerful when you pair it with one of Tea Forte’s signature pyramid teas so that the adorable leaf pops out the top of its cover. Speaking of the teas, this year, holiday flavors include Raspberry Ganache, Rum Raisin Biscotti, Spiced Ginger Plum, Winter Chai, and Ginger Snap.See it

Mosser Pink Milk Glass Tumbler, $15.96 at Sur La Table

Sur la Table

The ideal vessel for your eggnog, coquito, mulled wine, Irish Coffee topped with whipped cream, or even some milk to accompany Santa’s cookies, this adorable pink mug will make visions of sugar plums dance in your head.See it

Three-Tier Glass Server, $279 at Maison Numen

Maison Numen

This enchanting, three-tier hand blown glass server allows you and your guests to pack on as many desserts as you can fit—now, if you could only fit it all in your belly.See it

Winter Cardinal Salt and Pepper Shakers, $8.99 at Stonewall Kitchen

Stonewall Kitchen

You can find a salt and pepper shaker in pretty much any shape, color, or size these days, but none will look as refined and festive as part of your holiday getup than this winter cardinal.See it

Wood Bark Pedestal Stand, $29.99 at World Market

World Market

Whether you use it for finger foods or as a cake stand, this wood bark pedestal stand adds natural serving splendor.See it

Leopard Salad Plate, $8.99 at Macy’s

Macy’s

This guy—and his Frenchie, Giraffe, and Panda friends—are all decked out for the season, and a conversation-starting way to enjoy your first course.See it

Related Video: Here’s How Gail Simmons Would Style a Holiday Table

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How to Make a Flaming Holiday Punch Bowl

Your Comprehensive Guide to Decorating with Flowers for the Holidays

In the Venn diagram of people who geek out about hosting holidays, I think there are two circles: people who live to plan the food, and people who dream about the décor. In the center, where the circles overlap, are my mom and Martha Stewart, high-fiving each other.

In other words, even if you love hosting during the holidays, there’s a good chance you’ve got a blind spot. For me, that blind spot is flowers: I adore them, but often forget about them until the last minute, if I remember them at all. But they add so much! People love flowers! Really, guests are always so impressed by fresh flowers and foliage, it’s a small detail that leaves a lasting memory. And if there’s any season to put a little extra love into your living space, it’s the holidays.

So what happens if you, like me, love the idea of adding a few blooms or foraged branches to your buffet table or stashing a sweet little bud vase in the powder room, but the moment of creative genius to actually do any of that stuff strikes while you’re feverishly whisking gravy? You phone a friend…who happens to be sort of a big-deal floral designer.

Rivet Modern Geometric Pattern Stoneware Vase, $25.98 on Amazon

The perfect vase to show off your flowers.

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Stacey Carlton is an award-winning floral artist, educator, consultant, and overall goddess of all things plant life. Though we do share a love of good food, it’s safe to say that Stacey’s internationally-celebrated talents land her squarely in the décor category when it comes to preparing for holiday hosting. I sat down with Stacey to get some ideas about how food nerds can use flowers and plants to help set the ambience for a beautiful holiday season.

Martha Stewart

So let me get this straight: we’re…decorating with botanicals. Not arranging flowers?

Right. The first thing Carlton will tell you is that the phrase floral arrangement is really limiting (not to mention kind of dated)—it implies that you’re only handling actual flowers, and that there’s a right and a wrong way to put them together. “Botanicals” is a much more expansive term that can include anything from the plant world: flowers, sure, but also branches, garlands, leaves, herbs, fruits, vegetables, and even nuts. And botanical décor can mean anything from dried hydrangeas in a glass, to a bowl of pears, to a tall vase full of thin maple branches foraged from the backyard.

Thinking about it this way means that anything goes. There’s no wrong way to do it!

Well, how does she do it? What are her go-to holiday flowers?

Carlton knows that if she shows up to holiday gathering without flowers, people will balk. “I always, always bring the flowers, no matter what the occasion.” And as someone who is constantly designing extravagant pieces for events and competitions, Carlton admits she often finds herself reaching for neutral palettes during food-centric gatherings so the focus stays on the delicious meal. She advises finding a palette with warm neutrals and whites, then adding “pops of metallic [to] feel interesting and luxe.” For those who can’t abide a matchy-matchy décor vibe (hello it’s me), this is a winning strategy. A bonus: neutrals and whites play well with pretty much any colors you’ve already got in your home, which means your navy statement wall or vintage art deco bathroom wallpaper will complement, not compete, with whatever you put together.

That’s not to say you need to be out here spray-painting gold pine cones the day before Thanksgiving (though you certainly could). Even something as simple as some white carnations in a silver cup will help create a festive, elegant, but still homey vibe.

Carlton also notes that anything that matches or complements the colors of the season can be a no-brainer. “Reds are always solid for the holidays. Cranberries floating in a clear vase with small red roses? People’s minds are blown.” Same with the bright oranges and yellows of miniature citrus, or even autumn leaves on a small branch.

Stacey Carlton

What if I do want to brave the grocery store floral section? What should I look for?

Though Carlton is currently studying the Latin names of hundreds of flowers and plants for her European Masters Certification, most ordinary floral departments will have at least a few familiar standbys that, when grouped together, make a big impact.

Her favorite grab-and-go grocery flowers include roses, including little spray roses and big, old-fashioned garden roses; any sort of eucalyptus (varieties can include seeded, baby blue, feather, and silver dollar, among others); and, surprisingly, mixed bouquets. “The trick with those,” Carlton says, “is to disassemble them when you get home, then group like with like and place those smaller groupings all around the house.”

For example, a big Thanksgiving-themed bouquet at the store might contain several different varieties of flowers and greenery in a few different hues. On their own, these large bouquets can feel a bit like overbearing scene-stealers. To make them your own, take the whole thing apart, then sort the stems loosely according to flower type, color, or even bloom size. The biggest ones can go in a vase on the buffet table, medium-sized flowers on the bar cart, and some modest little sprigs can go in a repurposed spice jar on the vanity in the bathroom.

It’s Thanksgiving morning and I’m kind of in the middle of, uh, everything. Any easy DIY ideas I can outsource to a willing helper?

This is where your fridge and backyard really come in handy, Carlton says. What fruit or fresh herbs do you have on hand? (In my house, it’s not Thanksgiving if I don’t have at least three times the rosemary I need.) A glass bowl of pretty apples or pears can look inviting and homey in an entryway, and miniature citrus, like clementines, can be a bright—and edible—pop of color on a dessert table. Tuck in some hardy fresh herbs, like sage, thyme, or rosemary, and you’re good to go.

For an easy project—not to mention a great way to get some sweet solitude in the kitchen—send little ones outside to forage for small tree branches, acorns and pine cones, or even large, colorful fallen leaves. Carlton’s favorite foliage for indoor décor includes evergreen (think pine or spruce), maple branches, and ginkgo. And who knows? Heading outdoors to look for and enjoy the natural beauty of the season could become the stuff of treasured holiday memories.

Stacey Carlton

So if “floral arrangement” is sort of passé, are “centerpieces” over too?

Not necessarily, Carlton says. But she goes back to emphasize the benefits of expanding how we think about where flowers go. “Conversation height is important,” Carlton insists. Even for weddings and other large gatherings, she’s careful to make sure that the floral design aligns with the style of the event. Guests should be able to easily see and talk over whatever botanical beauties you’ve placed on the table. This is why Carlton loves to scatter groupings of miniature flowers and leaves, instead of one big vase full of blooms that’s basically asking to get moved to a side table as soon as Uncle Bill finishes saying grace.

While we’re at it, Carlton wants to remind you to think about the other ways that guests will interact with your space. Are you setting up a drinks table or bar cart? Will appetizers be served from a counter in the kitchen? Where are folks putting their coats? Do you have houseguests? A little bud vase, Mason jar, or even a pretty water glass with those few extra eucalyptus sprigs you were going to toss, or the spray roses that broke off the stem in transit, is a sweet, low-key way of showing old-fashioned hospitality in any spaces where your guests might encounter them.

Okay, this feels doable. Any other hot tips before I raid the crisper and send the kids out for acorns?

Yes! If there’s one thing to make decorating with botanicals easy and accessible for pretty much anyone, on any budget, with any timeframe, Carlton swears by a monochrome strategy. Sure, finding a palette is fun if you’ve got the time and creativity to spare. But going monochrome doesn’t mean you’re phoning it in. Carlton still loves how it looks: “It’s simple, it’s strong, and just takes the guesswork out of design.”

Stacey Carlton

And when there’s already more than enough guesswork in figuring out exactly how many folding chairs might be hiding in the crawlspace, or navigating the perennial debate between creamy or chunky mashed potatoes, or explaining to your preschooler what a giblet is, it’s a joy to know how to fake being a floral expert so you can focus on the food.

Related Video: What’s the Best Edible Flower to Plant?

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The Strange History of Pickle Christmas Ornaments

Have you ever seen a pickle ornament at the store or on a Christmas tree and wondered why they seem so much more popular than, say, an apple ornament, a bacon ornament, or any other more prevalent or beloved food item? These pickle ornaments, it turns out, represent a tradition with a somewhat mysterious and disputed origin!

Just type “pickle ornament” into your favorite search engine or online shopping site, and you’re likely to be met with a plethora of pickle paraphernalia – ranging from the ornaments themselves to t-shirts celebrating the tradition. These products usually come with a brief description of the tradition, explaining that it’s an old German custom to hide a pickle ornament in the tree on Christmas Eve, and then on Christmas morning, the first child to spot the pickle gets to open the first present, or (as noted in other ornament packaging) a special extra present from St. Nicholas.

The problem with this “German” tradition, however, is that Germans don’t know about it! In November 2016, YouGov polled over 2,000 Germans, and found 91 percent of them had never heard of the Weihnachtsgurke, or the Christmas Pickle, tradition. What’s more, German Christmas customs don’t line up with the pickle present timing. In Germany St. Nick comes on December 6th, and German children open gifts on Christmas Eve and not Christmas morning. So if it’s not really a German tradition, where did it actually come from?

Amazon

One version of the story calls it a southern U.S. tradition, stemming from the Civil War. The tale goes that a German-born Private of the Union Army, John C. Lower, was captured by the Confederate Army and sent to a prison camp in Andersonville, Georgia. Faring very poorly, he asked a guard for one final wish: a pickle. The guard agreed, and Private Lower got his pickle and bounced back to health – what a superfood! Attributing his good fortune to that pickle, he began the pickle ornament tradition with his family back in Pennsylvania, where it spread to Virginia and the South.

Another, more sordid, take on the origin of the tradition is rooted with Saint Nicholas, himself. Sometime after 280 AD, three boys sought food and shelter from a butcher, but instead of helping them, he chopped them up and put them in a pickling barrel (rude!). Seven years later, Saint Nicholas came strolling along, realized what had happened, and miraculously brought the boys back to life. This gruesome tale translates to the cutesy tradition of St. Nicholas having an extra present for whoever finds the hidden pickle ornament. Aw!

Old World Pickle Christmas Ornament, $11.95 on Amazon

Start your own holiday pickle tradition this year!

See it

A final theory for this (possibly) Midwestern U.S. tradition is that an American salesman just made the whole thing up to offload a surplus of pickle ornaments. What makes this theory more interesting, is that, according to the New York Times, a representative from a famed glass ornament region of Germany only found out about the tradition in the 1990s, during a visit to Michigan. Sascha Müller brought the story back to the Lauscha glass center in eastern Germany, and they now make 50,000 pickle ornaments each year to handle the new demand of this not-so-German tradition.

Whether it stemmed from a dying soldier’s wish, St. Nick resurrecting pickled children, or a good old-fashioned American marketing scheme, there’s no shortage of Christmas pickle ornaments to help you win that bonus present. As for me, I’d like to think we still haven’t found the true origin, likely some secret hidden German village, still undiscovered, still laughing as the world tries to figure out their pickle ornament tradition. Someday we’ll find you, Gurkedorf!

Related Video: How to Make Blue Gatorade Pickles

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Ice Wine Is The Dessert Wine You Never Knew You Needed

Made from grapes that freeze on the vine, ice wine is the extreme sports version of winemaking. After freezing, the grapes are harvested only when the temperature reaches -10ºC, which is often during the nighttime hours. The frozen grapes are picked and pressed in the extreme cold to extract the fruit nectar. During this process, the water content of the grapes, which is about 80 percent, remains frozen as ice crystals. The crystals remain inside the grape during pressing, where they puncture the skin for added flavors. The resulting juice is highly concentrated and rich. The juice is then slowly fermented to create ice wine.

According to winemaker Bruce Nicholson, who is responsible for the ice wine – and more – at Ontario, Canada’s Inniskillin Vineyard, ice wine yields are just 10-15 percent of an average table wine harvest, showcasing how unique and luxurious this type of wine actually is.

“This rich and concentrated wine is internationally renowned, and although it is recognized as a dessert wine, it is in fact highly versatile, used in a variety of ways that will enhance meals from start to finish,” explained Nicholson.

Different from other dessert wines like port and sherry, ice wine is has a lower alcohol content due to the freezing of the grape. A typical German ice wine will find itself around 6 to 8 percent in alcohol content, with a higher residual sugar content than the normal range of dessert wines, which can start at 13 percent alcohol content and go all the way to 20 percent, with less residual sugar. The wine, too, is usually a pure expression of a grape varietal, as others may be blended options.

Ice wine, however, is more than just a dessert wine said Jon McDaniel, owner of Chicago, Illinois-based Second City Soil, a consulting company that concentrates on the wine sector. McDaniel said that, while ice wine is known for being sweet, there are also other layers of flavor and texture that make it perfect to pair with cheeses, salty or spicy dishes, Szechuan cuisine or even popcorn.

Galway Crystal Dessert Wine Glasses (Set of 4) , $25 on Amazon

Enjoy dessert wine in this chic stemware!

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“Ice wine is different than most [sweet] wines because for how intensely sweet it is. It is actually pretty high in acid and very refreshing. Ice wine is a very intellectual wine that, as it warms up in the glass a bit, like cognac, takes on layers and changing flavors. Each sip of an ice wine can bring very unique flavors from a variety of stone fruits like very ripe pear, all the way to Grammy’s peach cobbler. It is a wine that begs for you to have another taste,” he said.

Nicholson, too, said that ice wine has the ability to add flavor when paired with food, but also in food as well. He has seen the wine used in everything from sauces and marinades to compotes and chutneys. Additionally, he said, the wine itself has the tendency to pair nicely with cuts of meat, charcuterie boards and more. 

“Ice wine works beautifully in a glaze for caramelized grilled pork roast or as an accompaniment to holiday appetizers and desserts such as fine, blue-veined and cream-based cheeses, rich pâté, or raspberry mousse,” he said.

Casa Larga

However, while spotting the wine on a menu may be one way to spark interest in ice wine, it’s not always an easy sell. A bit pricier because of the process, McDaniel explained that those who may enjoy ice wine may not even know it. The fact that the wine falls into a sweet category may deter those who would typically end up enjoying the wine, since they are unaware of the layers of flavor that await them in the glass.

“The profile of the ice wine drinker is a palate that loves intensity, that loves the opportunity to sit, savor and ponder the tastes of an ice wine. It is a wine to be methodically enjoyed,” he said.

And, added Nicholson, the complex scope of flavors may have the power to sway even the most discerning palate. Nicholson said that for those who aren’t keen on extra sweet, starting with a Riesling-based ice wine would be ideal. But, once the door opens, he said that other varietals won’t be too far behind.    

“The concentration of flavor and lovely balance between sweetness and natural acidity is incomparable. The natural balance of sugar and acidity creates a unique sensation on the palate of a surprisingly dry finish. Ice wine is renowned for its layers of tropical and citrus fruit flavors and fragrant aromas. It is a truly natural wonder and extreme winemaking at its best. There is no other wine like it in the world,” he said.

Related Video: Wine Decanters Explained

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Eating Your Christmas Tree: How to Cook with Pine Needles

The spirit of the Christmas holiday season can be reflected in the life of the Christmas tree; anticipation slowly builds searching for the tree with just the right shape and amount of lush, the season culminates for a singular moment where the tree is lit up and gifts are passed between loved ones, and it ends outright with the once auspicious tree in the gutter and a trip to the mall for returns. But what if we could savor the season just a little longer and give the Christmas tree one last purpose?

The pine needles from coniferous trees (i.e. the assortment of trees that make up the traditional Christmas tree—spruce, pine or fir) can be used for cooking to brighten up a meal, impart a piney, citrusy taste, and give off an earthy, woody aroma.

The easiest and most traditional way to use pine needles is to make pine needle tea. Simply take a handful of young pine needles (you can identify them by their bright color and slightly softer, more tender feel), rinse them in warm water, cut them into small pieces—chopping off any brown ends, as needed—and place them in a cup before pouring boiling hot water over it. Allow time to steep before drinking. Get the full recipe below, but just make sure your tree doesn’t have any pesticides or herbicides before using the needles.

Venoly Stainless Steel Tea Pot With Removable Infuser For Loose Leaf and Tea Bags, $24.99 on Amazon

For all your tea needs, pine or otherwise.

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Gaia Health Blog

Another popular way to use needles is by making an oil or spice mix to incorporate into your cooking. The former can be coated on top of a grilled fish and the latter can be sprinkled into rice as you cook it, or rubbed into any meats that you’re roasting. The two will make for a nice green aromatic and flavor. Check out how to make pine needle oil and seasoning, here and here, respectively.

The piney smell from the Christmas tree can continue well after the holidays if you decide to go the smoking route. The next time you plan to barbeque chicken, heat up the gas grill to medium-high, spread the coals out and add pine boughs. If the pine boughs catch fire, cover the grill and let the flames die out before adding the chicken. Once the chicken is placed, turn, baste, and marinade it until brown and crisp, which should take approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Next, place the chicken on a platter and garnish with pine boughs. The full pine-smoked chicken recipe is linked here.

The Splendid Table

Using your surroundings and immediate outdoors for cooking will have you following in the footsteps of Chef Damon Baehrel, a renowned, farmer, forager, chef, restaurateur, cheesemaker, and gardener, just to name a few. Chef Damon Baehrel sources his ingredients for his restaurant, self-titled Damon Baehrel, from his 12 acres of land in Coxsackie, NY. And among his many specialties, are his pine needle cured meats.

The Christmas and the holiday season are way too fleeting, so why not make the most of it. The Christmas tree, after all, took years to grow and traveled a far way to only hold center stage for a month or so before hitting the curb. The least we can do is give it one last hurrah.

For more recipes using pine needles, check out this Fine Feller cocktail recipe and this recipe for White Pine and Rosemary Ice Cream.

Related Video: Utterly Delicious and Indulgent Christmas Treats

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Hacks to Impress Your In-Laws and Friends During the Holidays

Comforting, traditional holiday food is nice and all, but when you have guests during the holidays, you want to impress them with some dramatic dish. Sometimes it takes a lot of work, time, and patience to create that final crowd-pleaser. Other times — our favorite times — it’s deceptively easy.

The trick can be a simple combination of ingredients not typically paired together. Or it can be a knife skill on display. For your main meat, wrap it in bacon or prosciutto. Hell, wrap anything in prosciutto. If something is ho-hum, sprinkle pomegranate seeds on it. Fry any fresh herbs in oil and place the crispy result on top of a dish. Slice your fruit, vegetables, or whatever avocados are (a fruit also) into the shape of flowers, particularly roses, and you’ve found yet another great way to get some oohs and ahhs from your holiday guests.

Oh, and affogato. Scoop some vanilla or hazelnut gelato into pretty coffee cups, pour a few tablespoons of espresso or strongly brewed coffee on top, sprinkle on a few chocolate shavings or chopped hazelnuts, and you’ve sealed the deal on guest gratification. Here are some other tricks to thrill your holiday friends and blow the minds of those in-laws.

Apple Roses

Cooking with Manuela

Some apple rose tarts can take hours upon hours. But there’s no need to make a custard which requires constant surveillance and stirring. Don’t bother with seemingly endless amounts of apples to slice paper-thin and then shape into rose petals. To make six apple roses, you need only two large red apples, a package of puff pastry, apricot preserve, cinnamon, lemon juice, a sprinkling of flour for the counter, and a sprinkling of powdered sugar to dust the tops of the flowers. It’ll look almost like they’ve been blooming in a morning mist or faint snowfall. Get the recipe.

Pear and Feta Bites

Chowhound

This is an easy appetizer that looks impressive and tastes great. That’s about all you need in your hors d’ oeuvres, right? Oh, and there aren’t any obscure ingredients either. You could include red endive leaves for more color, and swap out the toppings for goat cheese and figs with a balsamic or honey drizzle. You get the idea. So get our Pear and Feta Bites recipe.

Dessert Cocktail

Chowhound

Technically, it’s barely even a cocktail, but let’s call it that. This is a drink that’s especially good for a holiday brunch, whether it be for Christmas, Hanukkah, or New Year’s Day. It will feel so much fancier than mimosas, yet just as easy. Pour Prosecco in your Champagne glasses first and then carefully drop in a scoop of any flavor sorbet. That’s it. Now you’ve got a nice, light dessert-drink after a heavy holiday meal, a brunch cocktail, or a party drink. Watch our quick Dessert Cocktail video.

Gougère (Cheddar Dill Puffs)

Taming of the Spoon

First, they’re French. So there’s that. Then, there’s that cheesy, fresh herb taste with a crust on the outside and airy heaven within. In French cooking, these puffs are a type of baked savory choux pastry made of choux dough mixed with cheese. And they’re really easy to make: heat and stir some of the first ingredients, dump in flour all at once, stir, take off heat and stir in eggs, then stir in cheese and herbs. Scoop with a cookie-dough or ice cream scooper on a pan. Bake. The end. Get the recipe.

Avocado Roses

Healthy Nibbles and Bits

It’s the same concept as the apples, but make sure you buy avocados that are ripe but not totally soft. We’re not making guacamole here. If your avocado is too soft, your slices won’t hold their shape. You’ll get mush. Might as well go the guac route by then. So look for green-and-black speckles. The other trick: Sprinkle on lemon juice ASAP, before too many black speckles appear. Try these avocado roses on a fried egg on a hearty, grainy slice of toasted bread, or on top of a frittata (Then you only have to do one). Get the recipe.

Coconut Cream Spinach with Crispy Shallots and Shiitake Mushrooms

Love and Lemons

Instead of regular creamed spinach, spinach salad or, God forbid, green bean casserole, put a whole new twist on the creamy greens category. This is a coconut-y dish, so haters of the milky fruit won’t like it. But then it gets umami from the mushrooms and a crunchy, salty-savory touch on top that makes this a swoon-worthy side dish. Get the recipe.

Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini

Chowhound

Fig and goat cheese are a wonderful pair. Spread both on some toasted slices of French bread, and you’ve got something good. But fry up some seasonal sage leaves, and crown each toast with the green garland and you’ve got something special. Get our Fig and Goat Cheese Crostini recipe.

Nutella-Filled Strawberries

Saucy Mommy

Not seasonal, but this is so delectable, we don’t care. It’s a simple, cute dessert that involves two ingredients only. And one of them is NUTELLA. ‘Nough said. Get the recipe.

— Get more recipe ideas, tips, and tricks on our Christmas page or our Hanukkah page.

— Head image: Unwritten.

Related video: The Ultimate Holiday Present Cake

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