Stress Free Holiday Entertaining

Are you all thinking, “stress free entertaining, Hailey? There’s no such thing.” Then this one is for you. Because there can be stress free entertaining and I’m going to share with you how I keep the stress down around the holidays.

 

Here are my three tips:

1. Attitude is everything.

This sounds hokey, and I used to hate when people told me “attitude is everything.” But y’all it’s so true! I choose not to be stressed. When I feel it bubbling up, I take a second to recognize that I’m getting stressed and talk myself off the proverbial ledge and make a choice to let it go.

Also, if you’re recipe is good and you don’t burn a dish, it doesn’t matter what it looks like – if it tastes good it’s gonna be okay.

Apple Pie Dip with Cinnamon Pie Crust Cookies

This time of year, I love the idea of gifting edible treats to friends and neighbors. I think it really is so special to know that someone cooked or baked something with you in mind – that’s some real effort a person makes for you!

Edible gifts are a great idea, too, when you need to make a small gesture and for people that maybe you don’t quite gift a formal gift to, but for whom you still want to acknowledge. This year, I’m packaging up these little jars of apple pie dip with cinnamon pie crust cookies. I dolled the jars up with a cute little basket and an ornament – get ready, neighborhood! Apple pie dip for all!

An edible gift can also be so super practical! Your recipient can hoard it all (not going to lie, husband wouldn’t let me share this batch that I made specially for you), or they can use it for their own gatherings. And what other desserts have as much mass appeal as apple pie?!

I know, I know, you’re like, Hailey everyone loves ice cream, brownies, cookies. You’re right. But just trust me on this one. This treat is a hit.

Gift Guide: For the Baker

Bakers gonna bake, right?! I wish I was really a baker, you know, like someone who actually knew what they were doing beyond their handful of go-to recipes. But I am so blessed, my jeans not as much, to know a few bakers in my life. Here are a few suggestions for the bakers in your life!

 

  1. A gorgeous baking sheet set. 2. A cookbook to up the ante. Is it actually a baking book? Hmmm…. 3. Creme brulee set. Because everyone needs a kitchen torch. 4. Pie weights! 5. A stand mixer. 6. A bread maker, but only on the condition to be a taste tester for every batch. 7. A beautiful pie dish. 8. A cool spice or ingredient, like fancy flours, vanilla powder, high quality vanilla.

Are you a baker? What else would you wish for?!

Gift Guide: For the Cook

I think this guide is the one I’ve been looking forward to the most! These gifts are great for the cook in your life. You know, the one that is always trying new recipes, and trying new gadgets, and is just at home in the kitchen.

Okay, they’re all the things that I would love to get but would never buy myself. Which is what makes a gift great, isn’t it?

  1. What’s Gaby Cooking cookbook. I love her laid back, fresh, Cali style. 2. An immersion blender. Everyone needs one. I have this set and love it. 3. A great All-Clad pot in a size that works for a lot of different things, from pasta, to chili, to stew, to cranberry sauce. 4. Paella set. 5. A good quality knife. I have this Shun knife, which is meant for veggies, and is amazing. 6. A cutting board that holds a tablet. So handy. Also love this one from Food52. 7. Sous vide cooker. 8. Air fryer. 9. A chopper. Such a practical gift, I never had one until a friend gifted me one, and I love it! So nice to have one, especially when I’m cooking so many different things at once. 10. A pasta maker or pasta maker attachments for the KitchenAid stand mixer.

How to Put Together a Charcuterie Board

A charcuterie board is an entertaining essential in my book, the essential “ingredients” of which I feel like we always need to have on hand. Whether someone pops by for a meeting, or a neighbor comes over for a glass of wine, or a friend shows up at the last minute, it’s one of those things that feels so effortlessly chic to be able to put together.

A well executed charcuterie board always has at least one cured meat, two cheeses, a cracker, a vegetable (pickled, cured or fresh) and a sweet element.

To make it easy for guests, slice the cheese and meats for them!

I’m also a big fan of having seasonal napkins (guest, dinner and cocktail) stashed in the house.

Here’s my strategy when I’m picking up goodies for a charcuterie board:

  • Pick 2-3 cheeses, one a crowd favorite like cheddar, then two others that might be less popular. I like to pick a cheese that is wine or herb infused, something that is easy to tell the difference once on your plate or board.
  • Pick at least 2 crackers, different shapes and flavors.
  • Pick at least 1 meat for a small plate, 2-3 for a larger plate.
  • Grab a bunch of grapes, they’re always a hit! Sliced apple pairs well with brie, figs are lovely with a soft goat cheese, strawberries are my favorite so I like to sneak them on a plate whenever I can.
  • A vegetable of some sort – I count olives in this category, basically pick something that isn’t meat or cheese or crackers to liven up the board. Sweet & spicy cherry peppers work well, as do cornichons.

And as always, if you plan ahead and make a list it’s all much easier to put together! And once you know what you love, you can easily stock up on the essentials to pull together at the last minute!

 

What are your charcuterie board must haves?

Easter Lamb Lollipops Recipe

A few years ago, my mother made lamb lollipops for Christmas, which surprisingly was the first time I had ever had lamb! It was so delicious – so buttery and just the right size.

I have to confess, I’m not a huge fan of ham, so when I started creating the Easter menu, I knew I was going to feature lamb. It really was the base for my menu and I built out each course from there. Doesn’t “lamb lollipops” sound so much fancier than “lamb chops?” It is, though, one in the same. We’re just going to roll with “lollipops” over here.

These lamb lollipops cook up quickly and are marinated for several hours in lemon juice, mustard, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper. They cook up so fast, too! With everything else prepared, you’ll be putting fresh lamb on the table before you can even say, “Amen!”

color inspiration: creamsicle

one color i’m totally falling over myself for this season is creamsicle. you know what i’m talking about right? that color that when you say the name – creamsicle – reminds you of an ice pop you loved as a kid; it’s distinct flavor, distinct orange hue.

after running into this outfit on girl meets glam i became even more obsessed and decided it was time to give you all a little dose of creamsicle inspiration goodness. enjoy!

{all images linked to sources}