Midwest Living Holiday Cookbook 2008
Chocolate-Pistachio Wreath Bread [1]
Chocolate frosting tops a moist chocolate bread to create a spectacular Christmas treat -- as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Use either chopped pistachio nuts or almonds for a bit of crunch.
Eggnog Muffins [5]
These tender holiday muffins, dressed up with a nutmeg-streusel topping, come from the Washington House Inn in Cedarburg, Wisconsin.
Eggnog Muffins [6]
Herbed Egg-Potato breakfast [9]
You can assemble the cheesy Herbed Egg-Potato Bake up to two days ahead and refrigerate it. Serve with Sugared Bacon-Wrapped Smokies sausage and warm Cranberry-Apple Crisp.
Gingerbread Scones [15]
Ginger and molasses unite in our spicy breakfast bread. Ground ginger and crystallized ginger give a double dose of the popular seasoning.
Gingerbread Scones [16]
Creamy Brie Soup [19]
Fresh, simple ingredients define this soup from David Scott, chef-owner of the Avalon Cafe in Weston, Missouri. White wine, cream, white wine vinegar, Brie and fresh herbs create a rich appetizer or main dish. Our recipe also tells you how to adjust the ingredients to make Brie Fondue.
Creamy Brie Soup [20]
Stuffed Beef Tenderloin Filet [23]
Cheese, bacon and mushrooms create a mouthwatering beef main dish from White Gull Inn in Fish Creek, Wisconsin. "Wisconsin produces great beef," innkeeper Andy Coulson says. "The only way to improve upon a broiled tenderloin is to stuff it with onions and Wisconsin cheddar."
Tomato Pesto Turkey and sides [27]
Our Tomato Pesto Turkey gets an extra sparkle of flavor from herb pesto salt and pepper slipped under the skin of a turkey breast. For Chipotle Smashed Potatoes, mix yellow and sweet potatoes with cream cheese, butter, sour cream, bacon and canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Brined Brussels Sprouts with Lemony Mushrooms are skillet-roasted and tossed with seasoned mushrooms.
Tomato Pesto Turkey [28]
Persimmon, Blood Orange and Pomegranate Salad [33]
It takes time to peel and section or slice fruit for our Persimmon, Blood Orange and Pomegranate Salad. But the result is a colorful burst of fresh flavor that's worth the effort. To save time, use 2-3 cups jarred, drained, sectioned citrus fruit in place of the four oranges. Pull-Apart Cornmeal Dinner Rolls add a soft touch to the salad plate.
Veggie-Cheese Chowder and more [38]
If your family eats holiday meals early in the day, they might be hungry again by the time the sun goes down. For a special supper, try comforting Veggie-Cheese Chowder or Smoky Chili, plus a light Festive Red Slaw that combines red cabbage, apples and red or green onions with a sweet-and-sour dressing. Honey-Wheat Pan Rolls bake in muffin pans, so you'll get a nice, cloverleaf shape.
Smoky Chili [40]
Festive Red Slaw [41]
Red Velvet Cheesecake [45]
We took the red velvet cake we love and gave it a creamy twist. Don't let the red color fool you: The flavor is all chocolate.
Pumpkin Trifle [49]
Make-ahead Pumpkin Trifle layers cranberries, cake and pumpkin. Packaged ingredients, such as canned pumpkin, frozen pound cake, canned cranberry sauce, toffee candy bars and instant pudding mix, shorten prep time.
Pumpkin Trifle [50]
Fantasy Chocolate Pie [53]
Dream about all the ingredients you'd like to see in a dessert, and you'll see why we named this Fantasy Chocolate Pie. It's made with three kinds of chocolate pieces plus coconut, pecans and almonds. For extra indulgence, top with whipped cream and chocolate curls.
Chocolatey Shortbread Bites and Lemony Spritz Cookies [57]
Finishing touches add a festive flair to these cookies. Dip Chocolatey Shortbread Bites in melted semisweet or white chocolate and top with a chocolate candy. Give extra zing to Lemony Spritz Cookies with lemon glaze and colored sugar.
Poppy Seed Torte [62]
This four-layer cake, with a puddinglike filling and whipped cream frosting, is the most popular dessert at the White Gull Inn, Fish Creek, Wisconsin.
Poppy Seed Torte [63]
Lemon Drop Bark and Lemon Walnut Biscotti [66]
For Lemon Drop Bark, just melt the candy coating, add the candy, and you're done -- it's that simple. The crushed lemon drops give this sweet treat some pucker.
Biscotti gets its crunch from baking twice. Our citrus-speckled Lemon Walnut Biscotti recipe comes from the Inn at Kristofer's in Sister Bay, Wisconsin.
Lemon Drop Bark [67]
Five-Spice Tropical Fruit [71]
Choose your favorite fresh fruits for this make-ahead side dish. We used papaya, kiwifruit, fresh pineapple chunks and star fruit.