A Year in Review

As the old year comes to a close I really enjoy looking back at which recipes on sockfairies.blogpsot.com really resonated with you. I also have some of my own favorites I discovered along the way. See if any of your favorites made the list. Be sure to leave your comments in the box. 

There were a lot of recipes I've made over the year 

but loved creating them all. Hope you found some to try.

JANUARY

Baileys Bittersweet Chocolate Mousse Pie.

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/01/national-pie-day.html

FEBRUARY

Mahi Mahi Tostadas with Mango Slaw

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/02/fish-tostadas-with-mango-slaw.html

MARCH

Broccoli Mash with Raspberry Chipotle Meatballs

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/03/easter-round-up-part-three.html

APRIL

Asparagus, Snap Peas and Radishes Medley

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/spring-for-these-spring-dishes.html

MAY

Pepperoni Cheese Snack Rolls

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/05/pepperoni-cheese-snack-rolls.html

JUNE (tie)

Lemon Olive Cake

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/06/happy-birthday-with-diy-twist.html

Boursin Cheese and Chicken Puff Pastry

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/06/boursin-cheese-chicken-puff-pastry-

pies.html

JULY

Pigs in the Blanket or Puff Pastry Smokies

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/06/boursin-cheese-chicken-puff-pastry-pies.html

AUGUST

Honey Garlic Beef Lettuce Wraps 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/07/honey-garlic-beef-lettuce-wraps.html

SEPTEMBER

Magic Cookie Bars

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/09/magic-cookie-bars.html

OCTOBER
Spinach Pear Salad with Cranberries and a Honey Dijon Dressing 

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/10/spinach-pear-salad-with-cranberries-and_11.html

NOVEMBER

Cranberry Apple Crisp

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/11/cranberrry-apple-crisp.html

DECEMBER (tie) 

Smoked Salmon with Angel Hair Pasta in Garlic Lemon Sauce

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/12/salmon-pasta-in-lemon-garlic-cream-sauce.html

Cranberry Bliss Bars

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2021/12/cranberry-bliss-bars.html

What were some of your favorites?

Ring in the New Year

New Year's Eve Holiday Central 

Some ideas to get you started creating your own customized Charcuterie Board

Cranberry Glazed Holiday Meatballs
Smash Mallow Toasted Marshmallows with Gold Star Sprinkles
Ferrero Rocher Hazelnut Milk Chocolates
Fresh Blackberries
Fresh Jumbo Shrimp
Tequila Lime Cocktail Sauce
Italian Salame
Stonewall Kitchen Cheddar Asiago Cheese Sticks
Fresh Blueberries
Hershey Kisses (silver wrapped)
Laughing Cow Creamy Cheese Wedges (Swiss, Cheddar Bacon & Garlic & Herb)
Provolone Cheese (one thick, perfectly round slice)
Buttercrisp Crackers
Savory Onion Crackers
Harvest Wheat Crackers
Ferrero Rocher Rondnoir (Dark Chocolate & Hazelnut)
Cheddar Cheese “Stars”
Swiss Cheese “Stars”
Creamy Havarti Cheese
Fresh Blueberries
Dark Chocolate Salted Caramels
Rolo Caramel Candies
Gold Foil Wrapped Milk Chocolate Coins
Trader Joes Champagne Gummy Candies (Brut & Rose)
Rainbow Milk Chocolate Nonpareils
Fresh Red Seedless Grapes

Kid-friendly Treats 

Ring in the new year with a family-friendly milk-and-cookies toast. Prepare the 
glasses in advance by dipping the rims of cocktail or champagne glasses (or buy some inexpensive ones from Dollar store) in melted chocolate, then cover with colorful sprinkles. At midnight (or whenever you decide "midnight" is), serve the milk and the fortune cookies. Toast to the new year and read your fortune!

Host a Hot Cocoa Bar with all the trimmings

Funfetti Pancakes

Cook's notes: A fun easy way to brighten the start of the day with these pancakes.
http://www.cookingclassy.com/funfetti-pancakes/

Hopes and Wishes for 2022

The following is my DIY take on Hopes and Wishes. I downloaded for $4.00 from Etsy site chasinglimes a pdf file to create this Hope and Wishes bucket.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/887010637/2022-new-years-hopes-wishes-cards-new?

The pdf file includes slips of paper for the guests to write on their hope and wish for the new year. I made enough slips so each guest could write up 4. They were then placed back in the bucket (a Dollor Store purchase) to be saved for the reveal on next New Year's Eve.  

Another DIY idea party favor

Candy Party Favor 

I used some leftover scrapbooking paper and cut pieces to 9 inches in length and 2-1/2 inches wide.  Paper punched 2 holes on each end and stapled the candy wrapper in. Then I pulled both ends together and stapled right below the holes and threaded a 12-inch long piece of Christmas ribbon to tie.  There is not much cost involved except buying the candy. This idea works well for any holiday changing up the paper. 

Holiday Brunch Part Two

Hash Brown Breakfast Cups
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2018/12/holiday-brunch.html 

Puff Pastry Chicken Pot Pie

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/11/in-november.html

Buttermilk Waffles with Condiments on a Charcuterie Board

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/04/blueberry-buttermilk-waffles.html

Charcuterie Boards to customize your waffle offerings

Overnight Bacon Breakfast Pie with Roasted Beets topped with Citrus fruits and Honey Clementine Vinaigrette

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-brunch-from-seasonal-plate.html

Avocado Toast with Hummus and Radishes (2 ways) and Scrambled Egg with Spinach and Peppers Breakfast Cups

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2019/03/avocado-toast-with-hummus-and-radishes.html

Holiday Brunch Ideas Part One

Christmas Holiday Brunch at The Readys

Ring in the holidays with a showstopper dessert Amaretto Tortoni

Cook's Notes: Since the bakery was out of the ingredient coconut macaroons I substituted crumbled almond joy cookies.
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2020/12/holiday-brunch-part-three-wrap-up.html

Ham and Wild Rice Pecan Tart
https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2013/06/brunch-food.html

Southwestern Breakfast Casserole

https://sockfairies.blogspot.com/2016/01/weekend-round-up_30.html

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day Brunch

Blessings of the Season

 

Wishing the blessings of the season to all and MERRY CHRISTMAS

Last Minute Holiday Eats

I realize by now probably everything has been checked off your list BUT

perhaps there's always room for one or two more holiday treats. This one is especially good as made with healthy ingredients. It can be a festive holiday appetizer or a breakfast item. I had mine for dinner. Either way they are quite tasty and takes only 5 minutes to prepare. The recipe comes from foodnetwork.com  

Holiday Avocado Toast

Ingredients:

•  Baguette bread sliced diagonally or a loaf pre-sliced 

• Avocados
• Lemon
• Salt
• Arils (pomegranate seeds) 
• Pistachios (salted and roasted) 

Directions:

• Toast bread in the oven or use a toaster. The slices should be crisp. Lightly brush with olive oil.  
• In a medium-sized bowl mash avocado. Add a couple of good lemon squeezes with fine sea salt or kosher salt to enhance the flavor.  
• Spread avocado mash on toast. Sprinkle with arials and pistachio nuts. Serve immediately. 

Several years ago my nephew's wife bought this tray for our family gathering. The tray was a real hit filled with classic P&J sandwiches cut out using a Christmas cookie cutter. The stars were made out of yellow paper glued onto a toothpick stuck into the top of the tree. Off to the side in small cups are dip and veggies. So creative!

.

Looking ahead you'll need to remember a Santa treat. I have been saving M&M cookies for such an occasion.