As you plan your holiday entertaining, check out our favorite seasonal recipes. With inspiration for your table décor and flowers, we make it easy for you to plan a special event, whether it’s a dessert party, Christmas brunch or a festive soirée. And don’t forget the special cocktails to add warmth and elegance to your celebrations!
Effortless Elegance
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Christina Hussey
Skip the cooking this holiday season and ensure stress-free entertaining with delicious chef-inspired dishes, enticing hors d’oeuvres and delectable desserts from Reid’s. Choose from an assortment of Southern staples that are freshly prepared in-house with the finest quality ingredients. Their experienced culinary team can even help you plan a custom-made approach to meet your needs including wine and beer pairings, delivery, staff and rentals.
Visit the Reid’s website or follow @reidsfinefoods on Instagram for holiday gift ideas and details on their upcoming holiday menus.
Something Special for the Holidays
Originally published in the December 2013 Issue.
FOOD AND FLOWERS BY Karen Teed
COCKTAIL BY Maggie Ruppert
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Taylor Mathis
Gather friends and and family, the more the merrier, and treat them to a feast of the senses. After welcoming hugs and handshakes, greet your guests with the aroma of warm holiday drinks. As you usher them in, your festive flower arrangements will draw the eye to tables loaded with tasting plates. And for a brief respite from the holiday mirth, invite guests to stop for a moment to enjoy the holiday tunes jingling in the background. Happy feasting!
The Comfortable Earl
A delicious and warming Hot Toddy.
Mother Earth Groups’ Something Classic Catering prepared a menu of small tasting plates for guests to enjoy. They are on point for holiday parties. They can be placed on lovely decorated trays or butlered to guests.
The beautiful kitchen island is the perfect backdrop for Chef David Clarke of Something Classic Catering to prepare tasting plates. After all, the heart of the home is where everyone gathers! Guests enjoy watching and talking to Chef David as he prepares fresh and handcrafted cuisine.
Pumpkin Soup
Pumpkin Soup is great in small soup sippers for festive holiday fare or on your dinner table in large bowls with rustic country bread for a cold winter’s evening meal.
Pan Sautéed Goat Cheese Cake Topped with Blistered Tomatoes
A simple yet elegant small tasting plate your guests will love.
Salmon Rillette
Wow your guests with Salmon Rillette served in petite sesame cones placed in a glass vessel filled with roasted coffee beans.
Floral centerpieces set the stage for the evening. This client’s home has both modern and rustic elements. The antlers and silver balls bring together both elements. Hot pinks in various shades compliment the home.
Special thanks to Mollye and Tim Bell for letting us photograph their gorgeous home. Design and build by Ben Collins, Salins Group and Garret Nelson, Studio One. Interior design by Stephanie Semmes.
Mix & Mingle
Originally published in the Holiday 2015 Issue.
WRITTEN BY Tamberlyn Dobrowski
During the holidays I like to have a few go-to recipes, bottles of bubbly and wine and some great cocktail ingredients on hand for a planned party, last-minute gathering or drop-in guests. Creating memories we can share and cherish with family and friends is the goal. Being prepared with a few simple go-to items will help eliminate the last-minute stress.
Danielle Rollins’ book, Soirée: Entertaining with Style, is a favorite inspirational book for both recipes and decor. Veranda calls her “a genuine expert, a natural-born entertainer.” Her Radish, Goat Cheese and Preserved Lemon Canapés are always a favorite, and so festive for holiday serving.
Endive Salad with Roasted Beets, Blue Cheese and Honey-Sherry Vinaigrette
Smokey Brussel Sprouts
Chocolate-Pecan Pie with Toasted Marshmallow Chantilly Cream
Butternut Squash Soup Shooters
Radish, Goat Cheese and Preserved Lemon Canapés
Cocktails
Entertain your guests with these innovative holiday cocktails from mixologist Bob Peters. Bob has been in the business for over 20 years, and his passion and creativity are evident in each drink.
Awfully Fall
This drink is for the bourbon lover who is not afraid of spirit forward warming flavors. Cinnamon and vanilla flavors come from the Jager Spice and Byrrh Wine. Can be made in pitchers for a holiday party.
Next to a Negroni
This drink is a riff of a traditional Negroni. Aged gin adds depth of flavor, and complexity comes from the Frinet Branca and Cynar.
Austin Cider
Great for brunch, lunch or holiday party. You can cut back on the vodka if using early in the day and make them up in a batch for party serving.
Reinventing the Classics
Originally published in the Holiday 2017 Issue.
WRITTEN BY Tamberlyn Dobrowski
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Christina Hussey
You cannot beat the time-honored Thanksgiving recipes that everyone expects on the table. Here are a few classic recipes with a modern twist. These reinvented classics are sure to freshen up your annual feast.
Quinoa Salad with Roasted Squash, Dried Cranberries and Pecans
Quinoa with butternut squash for those who prefer whole grains and no gluten. One of our favorites.
Fennel, Red Onion and Focaccia Stuffing
Using focaccia instead of your typical choice adds a nice twist to an otherwise traditional stuffing.
Spinach Gratin
My favorite creamed spinach is Ina Garten’s recipe. Cut back on the onion and use a very small dice.
Mashed Potatoes with Celery Root
My favorite mashed potato recipe. Pulsing the potatoes in the processor makes them very smooth. I love the addition of celery root—it makes the dish much lighter.
Pumpkin Pecan Crunch Muffins
This is the best pumpkin recipe ever. Very light. A must try!
Christmas Brunch
Originally published in the Holiday 2017 Issue.
WRITTEN BY Tamberlyn Dobrowski
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Christina Hussey
TABLESCAPE STYLED BY Mallory Fitzsimmons
The holiday season is officially here, and that means it’s time to get together and celebrate. If you have a house full of family and friends, a wonderful way to entertain is having a low-key brunch with make ahead dishes. Sleep in, then bring everyone together for a morning indulgence that will set up the day.
Our Christmas Brunch table was styled by Mallory Fitzsimmons of the blog, Style Your Senses. Her beautiful tablescape with its fresh, modern color palette sets the perfect stage for a relaxed holiday morning meal.
Christmas Morning Scones
Sweet and Spicy Bacon
Breakfast Strata with Caramelized Onion, Mushroom and Thyme
Baked Cheese Grits
Apple Cranberry Walnut Salad
Pamplemousse
This refreshing, low alcohol cocktail is perfect for brunch.
Roasted Beets with Beet Green Salsa Verde
Beets may be an acquired taste, but this recipe with ricotta and beet green salsa makes it appealing to the discerning palate.
Marbled Banana Bread
Tiramisu Trifle
This recipe is a show stopper and worth the effort. It is not terribly complicated and can be made a day ahead. To show off the layers, use a 12-cup trifle dish, a footed glass bowl measuring 9 inches across and 5 inches deep.
Dessert Party
Originally published in the Holiday 2019 Issue.
WRITTEN BY Tamberlyn Dobrowski
PHOTOGRAPHY BY Christina Hussey
Want to do something to surprise your guests over the holidays? Treat them to a scrumptious dessert party. It is so fun to go to a Christmas concert or show and then have everyone over to share festive desserts along with champagne or spiked punch. Serve up a few of our delicious recipes or add in your favorites. Your friends will love it and have an excuse to feast on something sweet. What a perfect Christmas gift!
Chocolate Budino
A budino is basically a rich Italian take on pudding. I made these with the hazelnut praline topping, but I’m also including instructions for a berry topping and a chocolate crumble. Whichever you choose, you won’t be disappointed!
Raspberry Streusel Bars
Gingerbread Bundt Cake
Chocolate Raspberry Cake with Mascarpone Frosting
This time, I used my favorite buttercream frosting recipe, but this mascarpone frosting is fantastic as well.
Christmas Punch
Zuccotto
One option is to just make the filling and toppings from this recipe, layered and served in a bowl like a trifle. But the cake itself is a real showstopper and so delish!
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