Holiday Gift Giving

Here are some of my favorite gifts for anyone!

….’If you want to learn about food…COOK…and Chef Debbi has created a guideline that taps into the practical and encourages the intuitive cook inside us all!’

Helene Kennan, Former Getty Ex. Chef

My specially designed gift basket, hand picked ‘Pantry Items’ from the best, Melissa’s produce. Included is a copy of my ‘What’s In Your Pantry’ book guiding you through the basics of stocking your kitchen from knives and cookware to seasonal recipes. And an exceptional selection of dried herbs, mushrooms, spices and more from Melissa’s Produce. Give the experts at Melissa’s a call for your special delivery! 800-588-0151

A sampling of other tasty gift baskets from our friends at Melissa’s!

Mushroom and Gruyere Puff Pastries

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Mushroom and Gruyere Puff Triangles

A wonderful easy appetizer to make ahead and freeze individually, pull out cook as many as you need.

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
2 cups finely chopped Cremini mushrooms
1 onion, chopped finely
1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs, crushed
Sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoon flour
½ cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons dry white wine
1/3 cup shredded Gruyere cheese
2 sheets of puff pastry, thawed (12x12 inches)
1 egg + 1 tablespoon water, whisked together

Serves: 32

Preheat your oven to 400°.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Set aside.

Heat a medium sauté pan over medium high heat, add butter and olive oil, and add the onion and sauté until translucent. Add the mushrooms, herbs, sea salt and pepper and cook until the mushrooms are lightly browned and no liquid remains in the pan.

Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute, add the wine and cream.

Remove from the heat, and stir in the Gruyere cheese. Chill.

Place a rolling mat on your counter, or a large piece of parchment paper. Add a little flour and lightly roll out the puff pasty, cut into 16 pieces using a pizza cutter or knife.

You should keep the puff pastry as cold as possible, if it starts to stick or becomes doughy, return it to the refrigerator for about 10 min. Keep the second piece of puff pastry in the refrigerator while you work on the first one.

Scoop about 1 t tablespoon of the cold mushroom mixture into the center of the dough (do not overfill or they will leak). Fold the over in a triangle and, using a fork, press the edges together to seal them.

Place the mini turnovers onto your prepared baking sheet, at least 1 inch apart. Place in the refrigerator for 20 minutes and prepare the second batch. Refrigerate the second batch for 20 minutes for best results.

Brush the sealed edges and tops of the turnovers with the egg mixture.

Bake each tray for about 15 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown.

Adapted from Jo-Anna, A Pretty Life in the Suburbs, courtesy of Kendall Jackson

Artichoke and Leek Filo Cups

12 / 5 / 1412 / 6 / 14

Artichoke and Leek Filo Cups

*The filling can be prepared a day in advance and kept refrigerated until ready to use. Assemble hors d’oeuvres up to one hour ahead of time and keep refrigerated.

1 jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained well (about 3 oz)
1 package chopped leeks (or 1 lg. stalk chopped fine)
1 clove garlic, peeled
1 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
filo cups, can be found in the freezer section near the puff pastry

Preheat oven to 350ºF. Line baking sheet with parchment; set aside.

In a food processor fitted with metal blade, combine artichoke hearts, leeks, garlic cloves and lemon juice. Pulse several times or until ingredients are finely chopped. Add mayonnaise and sour cream; process until well combined, stir in Parmesan cheese and chives.

Fill each mini filo shell with filling and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until heated through and golden brown, about 30 minutes.

Serve immediately.

Marinated Olives

12 / 5 / 1412 / 6 / 14

Marinated Olives

There are a million ways to adapt this recipe to your liking. Marinate the
olives for at least 24 hours and serve at room temperature. Try different
herbs, spices, fruit zest and vinegar. Look to see what’s in your pantry.
This is great served with a little Baked Goat Cheese and a baguette.

1 lb. mixed olives, not pitted
1 lemon rind, cut from the lemon without removing the white pith beneath the skin
1 tablespoon mixed dried Italian herbs, crushed
pinch of salt and pepper
1 clove garlic, minced
¼ cup Zinfandel vinegar
1 cup (or more) lemon flavored olive oil or use an extra virgin olive oil

Place the olives into a jar so they fit snug.

Chop the lemon rind into fine strips, mix with remaining ingredients and pour over the olives to cover. Add a little more oil if it doesn’t quite cover the olives. Place the lid on the jar and refrigerate overnight.

You can store these olives for several days in the refrigerator but serve at room temperature