This is a special dish I like to prepare around the holidays. Preparing handmade ravioli requires extra time and attention, but it's so worth all the effort. I have included a step-by-step for the dough and recipe for the filling. Maybe this week you can make an extra special dish for visiting relatives. Have everyone pitch in- the more cooking, the merrier.
Burgers are the quintessential comfort food grilled throughout the year..
During the Christmas season many German town centers have street markets with stalls selling cookies, arts and crafts, wooden toys and other festive items. Almost every street corner seems to boast Bratwurst and Glühwein stalls. Light a roaring fire and pour yourself a small glass of warm, spicy red wine. Below is a basic recipe, but in Germany vendors will offer you additional flavorings such as elderberry cordial or a shot of dark rum. At home, spike it too, if you choose.
Heat your Glühwein in a large saucepan on the stove or in a large jug in the microwave, but don't let it boil or the alcohol will evaporate. If you want a less alcoholic drink, then mix in apple juice or water.
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Glühwein Recipe
Chef George Hirsch | Makes 6 servings
1 bottle full-bodied red wine
1 small lemon
6 orange slices
10 cloves
3 cinnamon sticks
4-6 Tablespoons sugar
3 ounces brandy
Preparation
Pour the wine into a large saucepan. Cut the lemon in quarters. Stick the cloves into the rind of one quarter. Slice the rest thinly. Add the lemon quarter and orange slices to the pan with the cinnamon and sugar. Heat slowly until hot, but do not allow to boil. Add brandy and serve in heatproof glasses or small cups Place a metal teaspoon in the glass before adding the hot liquid to prevent glass from breaking.
After a full day snacking, Apple Brined Turkey, Pecan Corn Bread & all the sides, you definately need a energizing breakfast to assist you to this shop-til-you-drop sporting event, Black Friday. My Banana Smoothie is an ideal, quick don't-skip-breakfast for a morning you don't have time for a full country breakfast. For those online shoppers, enjoy a stack of my Flap Jacks!
Now that we are officially in the Christmas season, I invite you to be join me over at Sears Cheer Tree for Christmas how-to inspiration.
Let The Season Begin! George
Banana Smoothie
recipe by George Hirsch | Living it UP! TV series companion cookbook
Makes 2 servings, so share
1 cup frozen sliced bananas
1 Tablespoon low fat peanut butter
1/2 cup fat free milk
1/3 cup plain low fat yogurt
1/2 cup crushed ice
Place the bananas in a blender and puree. And the peanut butter, fat free milk, yogurt, and ice. Blend until smooth.
This is the part of the Thanksgiving menu that does it for me, steamy whipped mashed potatoes with flecks of caramelized garlic—my absolute favorite, especially with a side of my stuffing topped with a good gravy. Don't get me wrong, I won't pass up on the sweet potatoes and cranberry dressing. But if my plate is too full, then I might wait on the Wild Rice Stuffing for seconds!
George’s Holiday Stuffing Recipe
Candied Sweet Potatoes & Apples
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Garlic
FOR MY APPLE BRINE APPLE TURKEY RECIPE
FOR MY APPLE BRINE APPLE TURKEY RECIPE
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