Today's Recipe: Bacon-Wrapped Dates stuffed with Pecans

If you are looking for a decadently delicious app to bring to your New Year's Eve party...this is it!  Thank you to my friend Giselle, who always brings these delectable snacks to Hania & Chris' annual Yankee Swap Holiday Party! Everyone raved about these heavenly, carmelized bacon-wrapped dates. Bon appetit!

Ingredients:

Start with 30 dates...but you may need to double or triple the recipe! Adjust for the amount of people you have, usually plan on 2-3 dates per person.

30 Whole Pitted Medjool Dates

30 Roasted Pecan Halves (or Almonds)

Uncured Bacon (raw) sliced in 1/2 or 1/3 to fit around date

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Pit the dates with your fingers or with a paring knife.
3. Place a pecan piece inside each date.
4. Wrap date in a piece of bacon and secure with a tooth pick
5. Place on parchment paper on a baking sheet or glass Pyrex dish and bake for 12 minutes (start checking them when it gets close).
6. The bacon should be cooked and crispy. Served hot on a serving platter.

Holiday Cocktail Recipes!

"It's the most wonderful time of the year..." The stockings are hung by the chimney with care...the tree is up and decorated...we have ALL the kids' presents to wrap...and it's time to get ready for all of those fabulous holiday parties with family & friends!  I just had to share my favorite new holiday cocktails...and trust me, as a mommy with a new baby and a very active and mischievous 2-year-old, I am gonna need a few of these! LOL

The Caramel Apple Martini

My husband and I had a version of these in "shot form" while on our honeymoon in Key West a few years ago...so, I turned them into my own holiday cocktail just for you! They are made very similar to a Cosmo...but need to add in these 2 key ingredients...a bottle of Butterscotch Schnapps (heaven in a bottle!) and Sour Apple Schapps (about $12 each). 

Mix per drink in shaker:

-1 part vodka

-1/2 part Butterscotch Schnapps

-1/2 part Sour Apple Schapps

-2 parts Cranberry Juice

-Shake it up with lots of ice

-Pour into a martini glass

-Add in a Splash of Seltzer

-Garnish with thin slice of green apple

-Sip...Ahhh...Perfection!

TIP: If having a large group of friends over, I like to make a big batch of drinks in a pitcher then pour into Martini glasses. It saves time and let's you enjoy the party!

The Buttery Bailey Cocktail (or Shot!)

Next, a decadently sweet cocktail for your favorite holiday gathering. This concoction can also be made in "shot form," as these are rather heavy, not a drink you would have 2 or 3 of (but hey, who's to judge?!). Rather, the Buttery Bailey a great after dinner drink...in place of dessert...or something to sip by the fire with your loved one. :)

Mix per drink in shaker (or for 4 shots):

-2 parts Bailey Irish Cream (or generic version works too!)

-1 part Butterscotch Schnapps

-Shake it up with lots of ice

-Pour into a martini glass (or shot glasses)

-Sip it (martini)..or Shoot it (shot)...YUM!

Enjoy!

Mel :)

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Wishing you a warm and wonderful holiday season! Just wanted to share with you my latest "photoshop" holiday card. I have always loved those "crying babies on Santa's lap" photos, so I decided to put our beloved golden retriever Charlie in the mix! Visit Boston.com to see more!

Also, I wanted to share with you my Mom's great recipe for her Christmas Morning Egg Strata!

Carolee's Christmas Morning Egg Strata

Ingredients:
5 cups cubed french bread (any kind will do!)
1/2 kielbasa (it is pre-cooked, cut into thin slices)
2 cups cheddar cheese (shredded)
1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
1 package frozen spinach (drained)
10 eggs (lightly beaten)
4 cups milk
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon basil
dash onion powder
dash pepper

Serves 12

Put bread in bottom of 9x13 baking glass dish. Top with 1/2 of cheese and all of mushrooms, kielbasa, spinach. Combine eggs, milk, mustard, salt & pepper, pour over bread mixture in dish. Top with remaining cheese. Refridgerate 8-12 hours (make the night before). Remove from fridge, let sit for one hour before baking. Bake at 325 for 1 hour. Cut into squares, serve and enjoy!

Holiday Fun in Boston (on a budget!)

Visit the CityofBoston.gov for details on brilliantly lighted Christmas Trees and Hanukkah Menorahs on display in the Boston Common, Copley Square, Columbus Park, as well as links for shopping coupons, events, and other holiday merriment around the city!

Go to the Top of the Hub - Take in the gorgeous view of Boston at night at the famous Top of the Hub. Visit the Skywalk Observatory ($11 adults/$7.50 children/$9 student), enjoy the restaurant’s Spicy Lobster Soup ($11), or stop in for a Pear Drop Martini ($13) and groove to the sounds of their nightly live jazz with late night dining menu ($24 minimum in lounge after 8pm).

Go Ice Skating at Frog Pond ! Visit America’s oldest public park’s ice skating rink. Have fun skating with your family and friends...and be sure pack a thermos of hot cider or hot chocolate (with or without Peppermint Schnapps!) Admission is $4 per person, and children under 13 are free. Skate rentals are $8 and $5 for children under 13.

Watch Sports at Game On! Fenway's Game On! is here to help with "Recession Session" Thursday nights (5-8 pm), featuring $4 appetizers and $100 gas card giveaways. Watch your favorite games on TV such as basketball, hockey, or even snow boarding…it’s all good! Enjoy great drinks and yummy apps such as buffalo chicken wings, nachos or hot spinach & artichoke dip! yum!

Go to Pajama Brunch @ Tremont 647. Enjoy this popular event every Sunday from 10:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Wear your PJs, drink coffee and eat amazing food! I suggest Andy’s Huevos Rancheros, Gingerbread Pancakes, and Joanne’s Pop Tarts with house-made filling & colored sprinkles! Brunch entrees range from $8-16. (And check out Taco Tuesdays…only $2 each!)

(Source: Boston.com “25 things to do in Boston for under $25”)

Recipe: Cran-Razz Holiday Punch!

Thank you to my friend and fellow blogger Camper English for his amazing cocktails and spirits blog called Alcademics.com! He is a prolific writer and published author out of San Francisco and shares this article called "Punch Party" at CHOW.com with lots of yummy punch recipes. Thanks Camper! :)

Here is my recipe for Cran-Razz Holiday Punch:
2 Cups Vodka
4 Cups Cranberry-Raspberry Juice
1/4 Cup Rose's Lime Juice
1/2 Cup Pomegranate Liquer
2 Cups Lime Flavored Seltzer Water

Combine all ingredients in a large punch bowl. Add a large block of ice or molded ice ring to keep it cold. Garnish with sliced limes, oranges and frozen raspberry cubes. Serves about 20 people, or 10 very thirsty (and tipsy) party goers!

To make frozen raspberry cubes: The night before the party, take a few empty ice cube trays, put a raspberry in each cube, fill with cran-raspberry juice and freeze overnight.

OPTION: Instead of serving in a punch bowl, you can just pour into martini glasses! :)