Office holiday parties, gingerbread house making parties, ugly sweater parties … you’re being invited to SO MANY parties! You’re going to want to bring something to contribute to each of these gatherings and I have you covered! I learned this practice from my mom who would always say that when you go to someone’s home you bring something to gift the host with. Here are two things you can bring to your next holiday get together that is sure to be a crowd pleaser!
Sweet potatoes au gratin with a spicy chile twist! This is a wonderful side dish to bring if you like the idea of combining the richness of comfort foods with the sweetness of the season. Think sweet potato pie minus the whipped cream BUT marshmallows included! Ummm yumm!! Thank you Bobby Flay! I’ve taken his original recipe and put my own little twist on it!
What you’ll need:
3-4 large sweet potatoes
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 tablespoon chipotle puree
Fresh ground black pepper
Pink Himalayan sea salt
mini marshmallows
square glass pan or ramekin cups
Method:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Separate the chipotle peppers from the oil and place in blender and slowly add in the oil until you blend it to the consistency you like. Add the puree to a bowl and whisk in the heavy whipping cream, salt, and pepper. Set aside. Peel and cut the sweet potatoes into thin rounds and begin layering them into your ramekin cups or glass dish. In between the layers spread an even layer of your chipotle cream mixture, sprinkle a few marshmallows on top, and continue this layering step until all of your potato wedges are gone. Bake in the oven for 1 hour or until the cream is absorbed by the potatoes. ENJOY!!! *note, do not cover this as I learned it will spill over and cause smoke alarms to go off. OR if you do cover it, simply place a cookie sheet beneath your glassware or ramekin cups*
It’s decadent, rich, and comforting! This sweet potato au gratin recipe is perfectly savory!
Next up, we’re putting a spin on the traditional hot cocoa drink, I present to you, the world’s BEST adult version, the “spiked hot cocoa latte”! That’s what I’m calling it any way because it has coffee, liquor, AND cocoa! So you’ll all be super keyed up on caffeine, and able to enjoy a night of dancing under the mistletoe! You’ll need to borrow your host’s stove top for this one, but trust me, you’ll be everyone’s favorite by the end of the night! Ha!
What you’ll need:
1 package hot cocoa mix of your choice (1 per cup)
1 tsp Cacao liqueur
Peppermint schnapps
Coffee of your choice
White chocolate chips
Mint chocolate chips
1 cup milk of your choice
Peppermint candy for garnish
Whipped cream
Method:
Make your coffee how you usually do and set it aside (I used my french press). In a small sauce pan add the hot cocoa mix, the milk, and a hand full of both the mint chocolate chips and the white chocolate chips. Warm over low heat and stir until melted and combined. Fill your mug halfway full with your coffee, then add in the hot cocoa mixture until almost full, leaving enough room to add in the liquors. Add in the cacao liqueur and enough peppermint schnapps to almost completely fill the cup. Mix together and top off with whipped cream until your heart is content. Garnish with a candy cane and ENJOY!!!! *if you aren’t of drinking age, please enjoy this drink just the same sans the alcohol!*
I hope you give these recipes a try, they are so yummy, so decadent, and so festive! Give them a go at your next party and TAG me in your squad photo!
What is your go-to potluck dish? Pigs in a blanket? Chips and dip? Tell me!
See you later this week with a ‘how to pack when you’re headed home for the holidays’ post!
