My mom's prowess in the kitchen meant she didn't require much assistance when preparing holiday meals ( or rather, I slept in way past her early wake up time, and by then, she didn't need much help). However, there was one small task that she saved for me- making the place cards. It was a shred of control, but it was a shred I did not take lightly. To this day, the place settings are one of my favorite details in hosting a gathering.
This year, I put Healthyish individual desserts front and center- a visual reminder to save a little room for my favorite course- the dessert course! The table featured organic vanilla bean cakes with tart cranberries, organic red velvet cakes colored with beets, dark chocolate (always relevant) and vanilla bean cakes with swirls of cranberry sauce.
If you have leftover cranberries or leftover cranberry sauce, don't let it go to waste. Add a tart accent to your desserts by mixing the berries into your favorite vanilla cake batter, or topping a wintry Cranberry Egg Nog Cheesecake. Or, if you need a break from all the desserts, bake the cranberries into a hearty Whole Wheat Gingerbread Breakfast Muffin, or host an indulgent brunch featuring Pumpkin Crepes with Pumpkin Whipped Cream and Cranberry Sauce.
Let the festive times continue by stirring, shaking and imbibing. Leftover cranberry sauce works as a sweet and tart mixer.
Whiskey drinkers, these cranberry cocktails are for you. A tart take on berry smash cocktails or a berry take on an old fashioned, this is your post Thanksgiving sipper. But the scents of fresh citrus and rosemary will keep these cranberry cocktails in your rotation all winter long.
4 dashes Angostura bitters
2 oz bourbon (such as Blanton's)
1-2 Tablespoons organic cranberry sauce
Combine the bitters, bourbon and cranberry sauce in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until blended. Strain over ice or a whiskey stone. Serve with an orange slice and fresh rosemary.
Serve these whiskey cocktails with a cranberry lemon cake if you really want to treat yourself. Leftover cranberry sauce, orange zest and a sprig of rosemary give an ordinary cake extra presentation points.
Simply combine 1-2 Tablespoons of cranberry sauce with your favorite rosé bubbly for a blush colored beverage you'll want for brunch and dessert gatherings alike. Top with an orange rose and a sprig of fresh rosemary for wintry accents.
Here's to festive leftovers!
p.s: If you're facing more of a stuffing overload on the leftovers front, try my Stuffing Latkes with Salmon and Crème Fraîche. You'll want to make stuffing regularly just to eat the leftovers!
