Holiday Recipes as heard on CFRA Ottawa at Work

If you’re in need of a last minute recipe for a holiday gathering, I’ve got you covered (in caramel…ha!)!

~ Gingerbread Caramel Covered Brie: perfect if you’re hosting a holiday open house.
~ Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Tahini Molasses Dressing: fabulous (and nutritious) festive side dish – pairs well with turkey, beef or a rack of lamb.
~ Double Decker Gingerbread Fudge: need I say more? And even if you’re a terrible baker, there is no doubt you will be able to recreate this recipe with ease.

Hope you and your friends & family enjoy these recipes as much as I do sharing them.

Gingerbread Caramel Covered Brie with Dried Cherries & Nuts

This divine work of art (that using nothing but pantry staples!) is a guaranteed showstopper. It presents as beautifully as it tastes and will have your holiday guests raving for days. Serve as an appetizer or as a cheese course with Port for an after-dinner nibble.

Ingredients

• 1 cup (250 mL) packed brown sugar
• ½ cup (125 mL) butter
• 1/4 cup (60 mL) Crosby’s Fancy Molasses (click here for product info)
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground ginger
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) ground cinnamon and ground cloves
• ½ tsp (2 mL) baking soda
• ½ cup (125 mL) mixed nuts
• ½ cup (125 mL) dried cherries
• 2 tsp (10 mL) chopped fresh rosemary
• Pinch cayenne pepper (or to taste)
• 1 large (approximately 8-inch) round double cream Brie wheel, slightly warmed

Directions

1. Combine brown sugar, butter, molasses, ground ginger, cinnamon and cloves in a medium sauce pot.
2. Cook over medium heat, stirring only once or twice until mixture comes to a gentle boil.
3. Continue to cook for about one minute without stirring, until sugar has melted.
4. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (caramel will double in volume).
5. Stir in nuts, dried cherries, rosemary, and cayenne.
6. Place warm Brie wheel on a wooden cutting board (or platter) and pour caramel mixture over Brie.
7. Serve with an assortment of crackers and fresh fruit. Serves 8 to 10.

TIP:

• Use dried cranberries or dried blueberries instead of dried cherries.
• Serve with thin gingersnap cookies.

Roasted Cauliflower Salad with Apples, Radicchio and Molasses Tahini Dressing

~ click here for recipe

Double Decker Gingerbread Fudge

Chocolate fudge meets Christmastime in one decadent bite. Note: when making the white chocolate layer of this fudge – I suggest using the squares of white baking chocolate (found at bulk food stores or in the baking section of your grocery store).

I find the squares give the fudge a firmer texture than white chocolate chips.

Chocolate Layer

• 10 oz. (300 g) bittersweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 (300 mL) can sweetened condensed milk
• 1 tsp (5 mL) pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

1. Line an 8 X 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper on the bottom and up sides of the pan.
2. Using a double boiler, melt chocolate and condensed milk.
3. Stir in vanilla and salt.
4. Spread chocolate layer into prepared pan (mixture will likely be thick (it’s fudge remember) and smooth with the back of a spoon.
5. Chill for at least 2 hours

Gingerbread Layer

• 12 oz. (360 g) white chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1 (300 mL) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) molasses
• 2 tsp (10 mL) ground ginger
• 1 tsp (5 mL) ground cinnamon
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) each of ground cloves and allspice
• Hefty pinch of ground nutmeg
• ½ tsp (2 mL) pure vanilla extract
• Pinch salt

Garnish:

Decorative sprinkles or edible glitter (what I like to use).

Directions:

1. Using a double boiler, melt white chocolate, condensed milk, and molasses.
2. Once melted, stir in spices, vanilla, and salt until combined.
3. Spread over the chilled chocolate layer and smooth top.
4. Sprinkle garnishes evenly on top and chill for at least 2 hours. (If using edible glitter, spray fudge once chilled.)
5. When ready to serve, remove from the refrigerator and slice into squares. Makes a lot.

TIP:

● For an extra hit of ginger, stir in ⅓ cup (75 mL) very finely diced candied ginger to top layer of fudge.
● Edible glitter can be found at most bulk food stores

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ can be purchased here or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury