Christmas in the country means sharing your home with neighbors and family. But
you can be neighborly without elaborate planning or fuss during the Christmas
season. Since these nibbles and drinks require minimal or no preparation, you'll
feel free to invite people to drop in and linger awhile in your kitchen this
season.
SWEET AND SAVORY MIXED NUTS
These are a snap to make ahead. To serve, set a bowl on the counter or the
coffee table and watch your guests try to eat only one handful.
3 cups raw nuts (cashews, pecans, walnuts and/or almonds)
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons firmly packed dark brown sugar
1/2 to 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 to 1 teaspoon coarse salt (kosher or sea salt)
TOAST nuts in large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly,
until nuts are fragrant and golden brown. The toasted aroma signals doneness.
PLACE nuts in medium bowl. Melt butter in skillet over medium-high heat. Stir in
brown sugar, pumpkin pie spice and cumin. Stir constantly for about 1 minute
until sugar is dissolved.
REMOVE from heat and stir nuts into mixture in skillet to distribute
sugar-butter mixture. Remove skillet from heat.
SPRINKLE with salt and stir. Cool. Serve immediately or store in refrigerator or
freezer.
YIELD: 3 cups
SPICY WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE
Buy white chocolate made with cocoa butter because it melts best for this drink.
Serve with a snowy cap of whipped cream and a sprinkle of candied ginger.
2 cups whole milk
2 cups half-and-half
8 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Dash ground nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper, if desired
Whipped cream and candied ginger, if desired
HEAT milk and half-and-half in large saucepan over medium heat until just
simmering. Remove from heat; stir in chocolate, vanilla and spices.
WHISK until chocolate is melted and smooth. Reheat gently and serve topped with
a dollop of whipped cream and a piece of candied ginger.
YIELD: 8 to 10 small servings, 4 to 6 large servings
See next page for a shopping guide for your next trip to town. These quick
ideas are ideal for drop-in guests.
[PAGEBREAK]
And it Gets Even Easier . . .
We've scoured the grocery and bakery shelves for sweet and savory ideas—plus
beverages—that will be great to have on hand for drop-in guests. On your next
trip to the grocery store, keep these ideas in mind:
Boxed "fancy" cookies. Arrange a plate of assorted favorites from the grocery
aisles, including thin Swedish gingersnap wafers, Italian biscotti or Amaretti,
Scottish shortbread, French pirouette cookies or English wholemeal biscuits.
Drizzle any or all with melted chocolate or white chocolate.
Long, thin, crisp Italian breadsticks or salted pretzel rods. Place in a tall
glass or small flower vase. Spiff them up by dipping one end in melted chocolate
chips, then rolling them in crushed peppermint candy or nut brittle.
Bakery goods. Plain or frosted brownies, loaves of tea bread or pound cake, or
pans of coffee cake hold beautifully in the freezer. Thaw and cut any or all
into small triangles, creating simple finger cakes. Then drizzle with powdered
sugar glaze: Mix 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 to 3 teaspoons milk, lemon or
orange juice.
Fresh fruit. A bowl or basket of golden Bosc pears, green and red apples or
sweet tangerines serve as both decoration and refreshing snacks. Dip cut fruit
in individual cups of warm caramel or fudge sauce. Or pair them with wedges of
sharp Cheddar or other boldly-flavored cheeses.
Nuts. Lightly toast your favorite nuts plus hulled pumpkin seeds in melted
butter. Sprinkle with coarse salt, freshly ground pepper, and a Cajun, Italian
or curry herb/spice blend. Or, simply arrange roasted and salted cashews,
almonds, or peanuts with little cookies. Don't forget the ease of pistachios,
walnuts and other nuts in the shell. Set them in a decorative bowl and have a
nutcracker handy.
Sweet sauces. Check the baking section for hot fudge or caramel sauce, and
jarred lemon curd. Or use your own jars of raspberry, blackberry, plum or other
preserves. Warm the sauces or preserves and let your guests spoon them over
shortbread, or dip in plain breadsticks.
Flavored syrups. In the coffee and tea aisle, you'll find hazelnut, almond,
vanilla and caramel-flavored syrups. Drizzle over ice cream or on slices of
toasted pound cake. And of course, they're irresistible in coffee.
Bars of gourmet chocolate. Every grocery store carries terrific chocolate
choices familiar, organic or imported. Some are simply deep, dense bittersweet
chocolate or rich milk chocolate; others are filled with candied ginger, toffee
bits, dried raspberries or orange peel, even spices.
Dried fruits. In your favorite small bowls and on small plates, arrange whole
apricots, plump dates or figs, or sweetened cranberries along with a bit of
chocolate or handful of seasoned nuts.
Special coffees. Treat your guests to top quality whole or ground coffee
beans. And, keep some flavored coffees on hand for spur-of-the-moment
get-togethers and to serve after dinner.