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Earlier this week, the SavvyMom staff held their annual holiday potluck lunch. This was my first year in attendance, and what a treat it was to sample the fabulous fare these ladies put together.
The food was divided into several categories (appetizers, grain salad, desserts) and we all signed up for the dish we wanted to provide. Jill made a fragrant and spicy quinoa salad and Minnow provided a platter of elegant sandwiches. Sarah put together a beautiful arrangement of cheeses, including one that was rubbed with a touch of ground coffee. Christin provided a creamy mushroom quiche and Angela brought some lovely green salads to the table. So did Denise, who assembled one with ruby red beets and tangy goat cheese. I brought a simple hors d’oeuvres comprised of endive, red pear, pecans and cheese, as well as Asian meatballs served with a sweet soy dipping sauce. Leslie and Maggie provided plentiful desserts like chocolate chip cookies and creamy cheesecake. Holly brought the drinks and sadly, Robyn, was absent (with that seasonal flu). She was slated to bring some pad Thai, which I hope I’ll have the chance to sample one day.
I am a big fan of the potluck gathering. It’s a brilliant way to assemble a delectable feast while keeping the budget in check. Not to mention, it’s much easier to make one great dish than it is to make an entire spread. Easy and inexpensive are essential ingredients to holiday entertaining, don’t you think?
Do you like to host and attend potlucks? What is your favourite dish to make for these types of gatherings?
Last Monday, at the weekly editorial meeting held at SavvyMom HQ, I snuck in a bag of homemade cinnamon marshmallows. I like surprising people with these sweet treats because they ooh and aah over them, thinking I’ve spent hours working in the kitchen when in reality, making marshmallows is one of the easiest candy confections I cook up in my kitchen.
To begin with, you only need five ingredients plus a flavouring agent: water, sugar, light corn syrup, salt and gelatin. For plain marshmallows add vanilla, for a cinnamon variety replace the vanilla with the ground, and to make a peppermint variety—my favourite for the holiday season—add some peppermint extract and a few drops of red food colouring.
These package up perfectly for homemade gifts, and we always keep some on hand for warm mugs of hot cocoa. I might consider packaging up a bag of homemade marshmallows with a favourite hot chocolate mix and a new mug for an easy homemade teacher’s gift.
One word of caution though: while the marshmallows are easy to make, they can be a little bit messy. Be sure to have plenty of non-stick spray or vegetable oil on hand.
Have you made marshmallows before? Was it easier than you expected?
To see the full printable recipe, click here: Homemade Peppermint Marshmallows
