We'll always be fans of recipes that utilize simple, interchangeable ingredients that won’t keep you in the kitchen all day or night—the kind you want to have on hand for any occasion, whether it's a simple meal at home with family or a casual get-together with friends. These recipes give you the freedom to focus on the people seated around your table—and the really good food in front of you!
Baked Brie in Puff Pastry
HANDS ON: 15 minutes TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
½ cup chopped dried fruit (cranberries, apricots, figs)
2 Tbsp. orange juice
1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
½ of a 17.3-oz. pkg. frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 Tbsp. water
1 12-oz. Brie round, rind on
Assorted crackers
PREHEAT oven to 425°F. TOSS dried fruit in orange juice and cinnamon; let stand while preparing Brie. ROLL out puff pastry to flatten and remove creases. Trim edge so it will puff. PLACE pastry on a parchment-lined baking sheet. COMBINE egg and water in a small bowl, and brush mixture on pastry. CENTER Brie on pastry. Pull pastry around Brie, pleating and pinching to hold. TRIM any excess and brush outside with egg wash. BAKE about 25 minutes or until pastry is golden. DRAIN fruit and top Brie with fruit mixture. Serve with crackers.
Spiced Nuts
In a medium bowl stir together 2 Tbsp. canola oil, 1 Tbsp. sugar, 2 tsp. chili
powder, 1 tsp. dried oregano, 1/2 tsp. ground cumin, and 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper. Add 3 cups whole mixed nuts (no peanuts); toss to coat. Spread in a single layer in a parchment-lined large rimmed baking pan. Bake in a 325°F oven about 15 minutes or until light brown, stirring once. Serve warm or cooled. Store in an airtight container at room temperature up to five days.
Fruit & Prosciutto Wraps
Cut 1/4-inch-thick slabs of sharp white cheddar or other cheese in half to make triangles. Top each with a dried apricot, stemmed and halved dried
Calimyrna fig, or pitted date. Wrap with a thin strip of prosciutto. Drizzle with honey. Serve with picks.
Cheesy Garlic Bread
HANDS ON: 15 minutes TOTAL TIME: 40 minutes
1 ciabatta bread loaf
1/2 cup softened butter
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley and/or oregano
2 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 cup finely shredded mozzarella cheese
3/4 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
PREHEAT oven to 350°F. SLICE loaf into 3/4-inch-thick slices, cutting to, but not through, bottom crust. SPREAD slices with butter; fill with parsley, oregano, garlic, and cheeses. WRAP loaf with foil; place on a baking sheet.
BAKE 15 minutes. Unwrap loaf. Bake about 10 minutes more or until melted and bubbly. SERVE immediately.
Citrus with Lemon Cream
Arrange peeled and sliced citrus fruit (Cara Cara oranges, mandarin oranges, and grapefruit) in small bowls. Beat 1 cup heavy whipping cream in a chilled bowl at medium speed until frothy, then increase to medium-high speed until stiff peaks begin to form. Gently fold in 1/4 cup chilled lemon curd. Spoon mixture on top of fruit. Sprinkle with crushed gingersnap or shortbread cookies and pomegranate seeds.
Photography by Blaine Moats
Food Styling by Charles Worthington
Prop Styling by Scott J. Johnson
