Warming Up Your Holiday

This post has 3 recipes, all to warm you and your family up

during the holiday. There is a nonalcoholic version of a toddy

for the kids, a warm christmas cocktail with coconut, milk and bourbon for yourself and lastly is a warm appetizer to pair with your drinks.

Hot Not Toddy; this recipe makes 1 drink.

You will need...

7oz hot tea

1T honey

1tsp lemon juice

1/2tsp ground cinnamon or a cinnamon stick

1/2tsp cloves

1/2tsp ground nutmeg

1 lemon wedge, for garnish

Create:

Gather all your ingredients. In a warm irish coffee glass or a mug,

add the honey, lemon juice and spices. Top with hot, freshly brewed tea.

Stir well and garnish the glass with a lemon wedge.

Warm Christmas Cocktail; this recipe makes 2 cocktails.

You will need....

2c whole milk

1 can coconut milk

1/4c light brown sugar

3tsp vanilla extract

3-6oz bourbon, or to taste

freshly grated nutmeg to garnish

Create:

Heat all ingredients except the nutmeg in a large saucepan over medium

high heat until steaming.

Whisk together until frothy. Heat mugs in the microwave, add bourbon.

Top with milk mixture and garnish with nutmeg and serve immediately.

Pumpkin and goat's cheese bruschetta with sage burnt butter;

this recipe makes 6.

You will need....

1/2 a butternut pumpkin peeled, cut into small pieces

2T olive oil

1/2 tsp dried chili flakes

6 slices sourdough bread

1 garlic clove, halved

2/3c soft goats cheese

3/4c caramelized onion jam

4T unsalted butter

12 sage leaves

Create:

 Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the pumpkin on a baking

sheet lined with parchment paper and drizzle with 1T of oil, season

and sprinkle with chili flakes. Roast for 20 minutes until golden and tender.

Heat a chargrill pan over high heat. Toast bread slices for 1-2 minutes

on each side until lightly charred. While still warm, rub both sides of

bread with garlic halves. Place toast on a baking tray. Spread each slice

with goat's cheese, top with caramelized onion and scatter with

pumpkin pieces. Bake for 2 minutes or until warmed through.

Serve immediately.