Winter Wonderland Recipes D AT E N I G H T I N B O X
Complimentary Dinner Menu
THIS MONTH’S WINTER WONDERLAND DINNER MENU HAS BEEN THOUGHTFULLY PREPARED FOR YOU BY OUR FRIEND & BLOGGER MARINA.
Hi, friends! I’m Marina from Marina Makes. Each year, I look
MARINAMAKESBLOG.COM
forward to the first snowfall. Watching the snow glide down from the sky brings me so much peace - it’s so beautiful and delicate. Of course, while watching the snow, I have to have a hot drink and warm meal on hand. Priorities! This month’s menu includes some of my favorite winter staples to keep you and your taste buds warm: a hot toddy, creamy pancetta with sweet pea gnocchi, parmesan and garlic crostini and homemade peppermint pudding - each filled with so much flavor. I’d love to see how your food turns out, so please feel free to share pictures on social media; don’t forget to use the hashtag #marinamakeseats. Happy eating!
TOOLS
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Spoons for stirring Glasses/mugs for drinks Shot glass Cutting board Serrated knife
HINT
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Pastry brush
If you can’t find diced pancetta, go
Large frying pan
to the deli at your grocery store and
Medium pot
ask them to slice the pancetta about
Whisk
a fourth-inch thick and dice it at
Small saucepan
home. Or, feel free to use prosciutto
Small ramekins
as a substitute. Cook full slices of
or serving bowls
prosciutto in a frying pan with a little
Small bowl
butter until crispy. You can dice it or
Baking sheet
break it apart once it’s cooled off.
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Hot Toddy
PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 5 M I N .
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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4 tsp. of lemon juice
In a glass, add 2 tsp. of lemon
2 tbs. of honey
juice, 1 tbs. of honey and a
Cinnamon
pinch of cinnamon, and stir
2 shots of bourbon
to combine. Add 1 shot of
Hot water
bourbon and then hot water.
(about 1 – 1 1/2 cups)
Garnish with a lemon slice and
Lemon slices
cinnamon stick. Repeat steps
Cinnamon sticks
with second glass.
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Lemon Honey Tea
PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 5 M I N .
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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3 cups of hot water
In a mug or glass, add one and
2 lemon tea bags
a half cups of hot water and
2 tablespoons of honey
drop the lemon tea bag inside.
Cinnamon
Leave the tea bag in for a
Lemon slices
minute or so and then remove.
Cinnamon sticks
Add the honey and a pinch of cinnamon, using a spoon to combine. Top with a lemon slice and cinnamon stick. Repeat steps with second glass.
Parmesan & Garlic Crostini
PREP TIME: 5 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 1 5 M I N .
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
--
Demi baguette
Preheat the oven to 350
(GF option: GF baguette)
degrees.
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1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil 1 small garlic clove, minced Salt 1/2 – 3/4 cup of shredded parmesan cheese
Using a cutting board and serrated knife, cut the baguette into half inch slices. In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic and a couple pinches of salt. Place the bread slices on a baking sheet. Using a pastry brush or spoon, brush a small amount of the oil mixture onto the bread slices. Top with parmesan and bake in the oven for 7-10 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
Pancetta & Sweet Pea Gnocchi
PREP TIME: 10 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 2 0 - 3 0 M I N .
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
--
5 oz. of pancetta, diced
In a large frying pan, cook the pancetta until crispy and cooked
(veg. option: leave out
through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the pancetta and set aside, but
pancetta)
leave the drippings in the pan.
--
16-17 oz. package of
In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil. Add a tablespoon of
gnocchi (GF option: GF
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salt and stir to combine. Add the gnocchi to the saucepan and cook 1
pasta)
minute less than instructed on the packaging. Drain the gnocchi and
1 tbs. of butter
set aside until the sauce is done.
2 small garlic cloves, minced
While the gnocchi is cooking, make the sauce. In the same large
1 1/2 cups of half and
frying pan used to cook the pancetta, melt the butter over medium
half
heat. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the half and half
1 cup of shredded
and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring the cream to boil for
parmesan cheese (more
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about 2 minutes, or until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in
for garnish)
the parmesan, and a few pinches of salt and pepper. Whisk until the
Salt
cheese is melted.
Pepper 1/2 cup of frozen sweet
Add the pancetta, peas and gnocchi to the sauce, stirring to combine.
peas, thawed
Season with additional salt and pepper if needed. Serve in dishes and
Fresh basil, chopped
top with parmesan and basil.
Homemade Peppermint Pudding
PREP TIME: 5-7 MIN. T O TA L T I M E : 2 H O U R S & 1 0 M I N .
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
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2 tbs. of cornstarch
In a small saucepan, whisk together the cornstarch,
1/2 cup of
sugar and a pinch of salt until combined. Slowly
granulated sugar
whisk in the heavy cream and milk. Cook the
Salt
mixture over medium heat for about 5-7 minutes
1 cup of heavy
until thickened.
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cream 1/2 cup of milk 1 tsp. of peppermint extract
Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract. Place in ramekins or small serving bowls and chill in the refrigerator for two hours.
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