Category: Holiday Fun
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Holiday Worthy Brioche Bread Pudding with Bourbon Butterscotch Sauce !
Ahhhh, bourbon and brioche. Two of my favorite things! You’ll Need: 1/4 cup bourbon 1/2 cup currants 1-1/2 pound loaf of Brioche, torn into 1-2 inch chunks, or cut into cubes – allowed to stale overnight 1 1/2 cups whole milk or substitute 1/2 cup heavy cream or…
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Traditional Herb Crusted Prime Rib with Red Wine Reduction!
A true prime rib that is labeled USDA Certified Prime, is heavily marbled with a generous amount of fat. These cuts are usually reserved for top restaurants and are hard to come by. It may be better to seek out a fine aged prime rib. Aged beef is similarly hard to find in the supermarket,…
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Peanut Butter Cookies
Peanuts rank high on the top ten allergen list so feel free to swap nut butters! These golden-blonde cookies are slightly soft, mildly chewy, and dense, with satisfying peanut butter taste! If you grind your own they will come out a little different, but still delicious. You’ll Need: 4 ounces…
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Holiday Cheat Sheet- How Much to Shop, Cook and Serve!
As a professional chef, one of the most frequent questions I’m asked is how much food do you need to feed each guest? So, I decided to build a mini cheat sheet for the upcoming holiday season! Hope this helps! Every 2.4 pounds of food you donate creates a meal…
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The Brussel Sprout Files!
Below is a formula sure to make your Brussels sprouts a success, no matter what flavor profile you’re after—sweet, salty, or tangy! Brussels sprouts are aggressive in flavor. You either love them or hate them. There are many ways to cook them, too—from baked chips to chopped salads. At home,…
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Decadent Creamed Corn Casserole!
Trust me when I say– someone at your dinner table will ask you for this recipe! You’ll Need: 8-10 ears of fresh shucked corn off the cob, or 1 pound frozen white kernels and 1 pound frozen yellow kernels. Or, all yellow. 1/2 onion, peeled halved and studded with 3-4…
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Turkey Pho Gà! A play on a classic. Vietnamese Chicken Noodle Soup.
The morning after. Feeling abundant due to the over indulgence of the holiday and looking for something different to do with your leftover Turkey? Make something light and delicious– a spin on the classic Vietnamese chicken noodle soup! The trick to delicious Pho gà is to add a little of…
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Homemade Churros with Chocolate Sauce!
All you need is a few simple ingredients and less than 30 minutes for hot, crispy Homemade Churros with Chocolate Sauce! Churros are traditional Spanish desserts. They are popular in Spain, France, the Philippines, Portugal, South America, and the Southwestern US States. Now we know why! For the Churro Batter…
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Chef Gigi’s Holiday Cutout Cookie Dough
Be sure to read my pro-tips at the end of this recipe to ensure a successful baking experience! You’ll Need: 6 cups, all-purpose flour 3 teaspoons fresh baking powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 pound cold unsalted butter, cut into 1-2 inch chunks 2 cups white granulated sugar 2 large eggs…
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Leftovers? Make Mash Potato Bombs!
Baked or fried these are a fun way to use up any left-over mash potatoes… or, a good excuse to make more! You’ll Need: Filling: 3 cups chilled mashed potatoes 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded ½ cup bacon, chopped small dice 1 bunch chives, chopped Pepper to taste Breading Station:…
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Cardamon, Honey Cake with Fresh Baked Pears
Perfect for Fall, this recipe calls for Bosc pears, try not to substitute- this varietal has firmer flesh than others, which helps hold its shape during baking. You will swoon over the combination of sweet, sticky cardamon spiked honey liberally soaked into this lovely cake. You’ll need For the cake:…
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Candy Cap Roasted Butternut Mash
The haunting maple flavor of Candy Cap Mushrooms makes this so much more than a great side dish. This wintry squash can also become the base of a magnificent butternut squash soup if you have leftovers. You’ll Need: 2 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into medium-sized dice 1 cup…
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Make Ahead- Chocolate Espresso Pot De Crème!
Perfect sweet little finish to a large festive feast, just in time for the holiday! And make ahead the day before so you don’t need to worry about making dessert the day of your event. Also, great little treat just to have hanging around the fridge. If you can save…
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DYI Marshmallow Peeps!
You know Spring has sprung when Marshmallow Peeps are on the shelves in every drug store imaginable! This season, make your own and avoid almost all the crazy ingredients found in the large manufactured varieties. Plus… soooo much fun to make! You’ll Need For the Colored Sugar 3 cups granulated…
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Homemade Holiday Marshmallows!
Try this homemade marshmallow recipe as a base formula. You can make additions of essential oils or flavored extracts along with organic food colors to create a variety of fun flavors. So easy, you won’t believe it. You will never want eat a store bought marshmallow again! You’ll Need: 3…
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Hot Chocolate French Toast with Roasted Hazelnuts
Who doesn’t want to wakeup holiday morning to the smell and taste of hot chocolate and roasting hazelnuts? You’ll Need: 1 loaf Brioche or and Egg enriched bread, cut into 1 inch thick slices Unsalted butter 3 cups heavy cream 6 ounces milk chocolate, coarsely chopped 6 ounces semisweet chocolate,…
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30 Minute Individual Chocolate Lava Cakes
Molten chocolate lava cakes were developed by one of the worlds most famous chefs- Jean-Georges Vongerichten! He says more than a thousand of these cakes are made in his restaurants everyday. The ingredient list is simple –butter, chocolate, eggs, sugar and flour which makes this recipe easy for busy people!…
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The Ultimate Thanksgiving #Leftovers! Hot, Open-Faced Turkey and Gravy Sammies!
Nothing like a Good ol’ Fashion Open Turkey and Gravy Sandwich the Day after Thanksgiving! You’ll Need: 1 1/2 lb leftover turkey meat, sliced 1/2- 1 cup leftover turkey gravy Stock or water (to thin the gravy if needed) 4 large slices of rustic Italian bread Butter Crushed fresh garlic…
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Southwestern, Turkey Tamale Pie!
Got leftovers? Dont worry- they will disappear in a second with this recipe! Tamale pie is a casserole dish found in the cuisine of the Southwestern portion of the US. Typically prepared with a cornmeal crust and ingredients used in delicious recipes indigenous to the region. A typical comfort food…
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Chef Gigi’s Kabocha Spiced Rum Cake !
Looking for that perfect dessert this Winter? Kobocha is the Japanese word for squash. This squash has a nutty, earthy flavor with a touch of sweetness. So delicious and versatile ! Kobocha squash can be used in sweet and savory applications. This Spiced Rum Cake will be the perfect addition…
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How to Make Your Halloween Sugar-Free in Five Minutes or Less!
Halloween is just around the corner and you might be cringing at the thought of your child coming home with that giant bag full of candy. Honestly, who says treats have to be candy? Make life easier for you and healthier for the kids in your neighborhood. Purchase party favors…
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Empanadas- Savory Hand Pies
So many cultures have a recipe for meat wrapped in pastry. – I just love bold flavored, slow cooked juicy meats and veggies wrapped up in flakey pie crust served piping hot. Mmmmmm. Comfort food. I also love pasta sauce and Italian sausage or yellow curry and potatoes, but that’s…
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High Protein, Low Carb Almond Crepes- Have your Crepe, & Eat it too!
If you are watching your macros, and counting carbs while increasing fats – this is definitely the crepe recipe for you! These are so yummy! I usually double the recipe. Ingredients: 4 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature 4 large eggs 3/4 cup almond flour 2 tbsp granulated coconut…
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Cloud Eggs – An Eventful Mothers Day Breakfast Even a Kid Could Make!
Cloud Eggs- A culinary staple in egg cookery but are all the rage right now. So fun to make, and eat! Perfect for a surprise breakfast treat! Ingredients: 4 large eggs Pink Himalayan or Kosher salt Fresh ground black pepper 1/2 c. freshly grated Parmesan cheese.( Fine grate ) 3…
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Chocolate Cake Day! No Flour? No Problem!
Oooooh La Lahhhhh! It’s National Chocolate Cake Day here in America, why not celebrate with … well,…. A CHOCOLATE CAKE! I’m craving a chocolate flourless cake so here it is! Chocolate Flourless Cake with Chocolate Ganache You’ll Need 1 cup semisweet or bittersweet good quality chocolate chips such as Guittard 1/2…
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Bourbon Maple Meatballs for Cocktail Time! Oooohh yeah!
These little appetizer meatballs are a delicious start to kick off your party ! Ingredients: 1 pound ground meatloaf mix, (ground beef, pork and veal) 1/3 cup seasoned bread crumbs 1 large egg 2 clove garlic, minced fine 1 tablespoon good quality olive oil 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon…
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Classic French Profiteroles with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce
A profiterole is a classic tiny filled ball made from the French Pâte à choux dough. ( the only dough cooked twice) typically sweet, but can also be savory. This pastry is used to also make, croquenbouches, éclairs French crullers, beignets, St. Honoré cake, Parisian gnocchi, and gougères to name a few of my favorites. Dessert profiteroles are usually filled with whipped cream, custard, pastry cream, or as in the USA,…
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Lucious Parsnip Purée with Truffle Oil !
Parsnips are my all time favorite root vegetable to purée or mash ! They are so naturally sweet and not too starchy, which makes for an ultra-silky side dish! Ingredients: 2 pounds fresh parsnips, peeled, thinly sliced- tough cores should be removed on larger parsnips but not necessary on small…
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2016 Post Election, Red Wine and Chocolate Popsicles !
I know it’s 5 o’clock somewhere ! Here is a fun pick-me-up after a long stressful election year. Try my frozen popsicle recipe strictly for adults. Cause, sometimes we need a break too! Not only will these take the edge off the 2016 Election, it will also turn your lips and…
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Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Fried Sage and a Chestnut Cream. Oh yeah!
‘Tis the season! Old world Gnocchi made from sweet potatoes, paired with the crunchness of fried chestnut and sage. Delicious. I’ve also bumped up the flavor profile by serving it in a pool of brown butter chestnut cream sauce made with wholesome nut milk — this recipe is heartwarming belly…
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Loaded – Jalapeno Popper Potato Skins!
Ingredients: 3-4 jalapeños 2 pounds small round baby potatoes, about 2 inches in size. 2 Tablespoons organic canola or vegetable oil, divided 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese 1/2 pound pancetta or center cut strip bacon, cooked crisp, drained of excess…
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Pumpkin Spiced FlapJacks with Bacon Maple Butter
This recipe is best when made with fresh pumpkin puree. Pancakes won’t be so orange and the batter will result in a lighter, fluffier pancake. If pumpkins are not in season, or you are rushed for time– it’s fine to use canned pumpkin. Ingredients: 1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour…
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#HolidayBaking. Chef Gigi’s Recipe for Those Delicate, Flakey, Round Cookies all Covered with Powered Sugar. You know the ones!
So delicious you can’t eat just one! Yeah… those! Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups walnuts 8 ounces unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 vanilla bean, split and seeds scraped out 2 cups powdered sugar 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt 2 cups all-purpose flour Method: Preheat the oven to 350°.Line 2 large cookie…
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Spiced White Drinking Chocolate with Coconut Cream and Homemade Marshmallows
This is one of the most alluring and luxurious drinking chocolate recipes on the planet! Ingredients 1- 14 ounce can unsweetened coconut milk 1 3/4 cups heavy cream 1 -1 1/2 cups whole milk 3 cups white chocolate chips 1 vanilla bean, split or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4-6…
Chef Gigi Gaggero 