One of the topics I've talked about previously here on Blissfully Domestic is the importance of being organized when it comes to holiday entertaining. I put together this checklist for Thanksgiving some time ago, but it really does apply to all holidays when you are entertaining at home. One thing that many people overlook is how many appliances, burners, and how much oven space is needed to cook their holiday meal. Anything that can be prepared or made in advance, even a day or two beforehand, is essential to ensuring that things run smoothly on the day you have guests coming over. I have the added problem of ensuring I'm catering to one of my kids who is on a gluten-free diet, whilst the other kids don't enjoy the taste of a lot of gluten-free items so the more that I can make ahead … [Read more...]
A Pomegranate Pear Cocktail for the Holidays
The holidays are quickly approaching and if you are anything like me you tend to over-prepare with lists, menus, and your favorite recipes compiled, right down to pre-dinner cocktails ... which of course require pre-holiday sampling, especially whilst decorating. Well, let me share a very festive cocktail with you that will make the perfect addition to your holiday bar cart. The best part is that part of it can be made a day or two ahead of time, the rest is put together in no time at all, bringing out your inner mixologist and impressing your guests. A Pomegranate Pear Cocktail Ingredients (per cocktail) 2oz Vodka 2oz pear puree - 2 pears and 2oz simple syrup 2oz pomegranate juice garnish: pomegranate arils, fresh pear slices, fresh mint … [Read more...]
Pumpkin Mac & Cheese: The New Thanksgiving Side Dish
Mac & Cheese Please! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and it will be time to gather with friends and family and indulge in all the delicious food. It's very easy to make unhealthy choices during the holidays and we all regret them later on. Mac and Cheese is honestly one of my favorite side dishes during the holidays because it's always so comforting. Who can resist the cheesy gooey delicious dish?! I certainly cannot but I also do not want to add on several pounds to the waistline from one serving. One of the wonderful flavors of the season is pumpkin and it's so delicious in baked goods and very healthy! Adding this to the classic dish gives it a wonderful flavor and adds so many wonderful healthy benefits. This dish is much lighter in calories thanks to the pumpkin but … [Read more...]
Small Batch Pumpkin Cookie Dough Energy Bites (GF and Vegan)
Hands on those of you who love energy balls but who don't actually need that much energy to fuel their mid-morning coffee breaks! Either because you are sitting at a desk all day (i.e. me) or because you can easily get addicted to those delicious sweet bites (i.e. also me). However, we still energy to fuel our (supposedly) intense intellectual effort, just in smaller quantities. This recipe is my go-to snack for revision time: it comes together in five minutes, it's not excessively sweet and only makes enough bites to fuel your brain correctly! You can also double or tripe the recipe if you are not revising/working alone. Add in any extra ingredient you wish to (seeds and nuts are a good idea) and substitute coconut flour with almond/cashew powder to experiment a … [Read more...]
Skillet S’mores Mini Dessert Recipe
When you can't swing a bonfire or face the mess of traditional s'mores, these skillet s'mores are the perfectly portioned desserts. Whether you want to make them during the middle of the heat of summer or in the dead of winter, this mini dessert is easy to whip up and will satisfy those cravings. Use the graham crackers to dip into the marshmallows and melted chocolate. This gives you all the S'mores yumminess with the chocolate, marshmallow, and graham crackers together, without a bonfire! Brilliant! Mini Skillet S'mores from From Brazil To You Ingredients 60% cacao chocolate chips marshmallows low-fat honey graham crackers [sc:adsense ] How-To In an oven safe container (I used mini skillets), line the bottom with chocolate chips. Broil in the oven until … [Read more...]
Chocolate Monster Tarts
If you were looking for a quick, delicious and absolutely terrifying treat for your Halloween party, you just found it. These mini chocolate tarts are the so dark! Put together a cookie crust, a simple chocolate ganache, and some whipped cream and you will have the cutest Halloween treat on the planet that will please everyone! No oven needed and they are ready in less than two hours! Ideally, you should make these in a mini silicon muffin mold but any small round shaped tin will do (just make sure to line the tin with baking paper if it’s is an iron tin otherwise the tarts will be tricky to unmold). You can also make a large tart and cut out small tarts using a round cutter (neatness of the tarts will depend on your cookie cutter quality, obviously mine wasn’t very good eh.). Double, … [Read more...]
