Category: Special Occasion Recipes
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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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Hassleback Potato Casserole
This is a “mash-up” of a classic French gratin and a beautiful Hassleback potato recipe. The idea is to stand the potato slices vertically rather than lay them flat, ensuring each serving receives a creamy potato and a crispy edge in each bite. You’ll Need: 4 to 4 ½ pounds…
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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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Tired of Playing Fowl on Thanksgiving?
You will absolutely fall in love with this umami-stuffed butternut squash so much that it just might persuade you to reconsider poultry this holiday season! Not only is it vegetarian, but it’s fancy! You’ll Need: 1 cup fresh pecans, chopped 1- foot long butternut squash 1 Japanese eggplant about 8-10…
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Oven-Fried Crispy, Garlic & Herb Smashed Potatoes
The cooking techniques in this recipe are responsible for the deep flavor layers you will taste on the interior of these potatoes. So much so I’m willing to bet these will quickly become a family favorite. Oh, and did I mention the additional crunchy oven-baked texture? Whoa! Pair with a…
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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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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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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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Stuffed Mushrooms with Italian Sausage, Sherry and Parmesan Cheese
First, a little “Housekeeping” regarding mushrooms: How to purchase a brown ( Cremini ) or white (Champion or Button) shaped mushroom. If you know me, you know I love to forge in the wild for mushrooms. Shopping for mushrooms in a large chain grocery store can be like hunting. By…
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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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Stromboli- Dinner in 30!
Unlike a calzone, a stromboli does not contain sauce. Invented in the 1950’s on the east coast in Pennsylvania. An Italian Restaurant & Pizzeria claims to be the first to have used the name, Stromboli. Rumor has it the pizzeria owner had experimented with “pizza imbottito”, or “stuffed pizza”, and…
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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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BBQ Pork Buns Sliders with Sweet Cabbage Slaw
Nothing says yum like good food and great friends. Try my adaption of a BBQ Pork Bun. This make-ahead recipe was a crowd pleaser at my house. You can make the steamed buns or order out from your favorite Asian bakery. Everything else can be made ahead and assembled the day…
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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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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,…
Chef Gigi Gaggero 