Tastes of the Season

WARNING: DO NOT read this post if you haven’t had lunch yet!

Truth be told, it gets to be this late in the summer and I start eyeing my boots and sweaters and thinking about the deep warm flavors of winter comfort foods. That means this post was a lot of fun to write.

When you start thinking about the menu for this year’s holiday bash,

let’s bring on the comfort food!

Start with the tried and true like Spinach Artichoke Dip, all warm and bubbly with a pile of crisp crostini to spread it on. While you have the crostini, how about a smooth, melty baked brie in a flaky pastry crust with a blanket of warm blackberry preserves all gooey on top? Yummmmmm.

Next stop, little shots of soup to warm the coldest night. Autumn Bisque Shooters made with smooth butternut squash pureed with sweet apples and herbs or the taste of the forest in a Wild Mushroom Soup Shooter made rich with real cream and sherry.

Now for something a little more substantial. I am thinking Maple Glazed Pork Belly on Petite Corn Bread rounds or Mini Cottage Pies, phyllo cups filled with all the goodness of Grandma’s Sunday roast topped with a crown of Cheddar Mashed potatoes. To take it up a notch, add some Steak au Poivre Skewers, tender cubes of beef cooked to perfection and served in a Brandy Cream Sauce. I’m there.

Then of course you want a few stations to keep the party moving. Nothing says “the Holidays” like Turkey and Roast Beef. So we will need a Roast Turkey Breast rubbed with herbs, moist and tender alongside Beef Tenderloin, still rosy pink in the middle, carved for your guests and served with Sweet Potato Biscuits, Silver Dollar Rolls, Cranberry Chutney Mayo and house made Horseradish Sauce.

Finish it off with either a Garlic Mashed Potato Martini Bar or the ultimate in creamy winter food, a Risotto Station with an abundance of mix ins. Either way, your guests will be singing your praises.

After writing all this I almost feel too full to even think about dessert, but hey, a party without dessert is really just a meeting, so bring it!

Look over there in the corner; isn’t that one of our culinary staff flaming up that New Orleans classic, Bananas Foster? Or maybe that glow is from the S’Mores Bar? Be sure to grab a cookie or a Gooey Butter Bar on the way over to the coffee bar which also has Hot Mulled Cider and the most Decadent Hot Chocolate you have ever had. ~sigh

These are just the tip of the iceberg. Why don’t you let us put together a holiday menu that your guests will never forget? Remember, the word this year is comfort.