Holiday Dinner Party for Six

Planning a delightful holiday dinner party for six can be a lovely way to celebrate with friends and family. Here’s a suggested menu along with preparation and cooking instructions to make the process joyful and stress-free!

Holiday Dinner Menu

• 1. Appetizer: Stuffed Mushrooms

• 2. Main Course: Herb-Crusted Roast Beef

• 3. Side Dishes:

- Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes - Honey-glazed Carrots - Green Bean Almondine

• 4. Dessert: Classic Pumpkin Pie

Preparation & Instructions

1. Stuffed Mushrooms

• Ingredients:

- 24 large mushrooms - 1 cup cream cheese, softened - 1/2 cup breadcrumbs - 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese - 2 garlic cloves, minced - Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). 2. Gently clean the mushrooms and remove the stems. 3. In a bowl, combine cream cheese, breadcrumbs, parmesan, garlic, salt, and pepper. 4. Stuff the mushroom caps with the mixture. 5. Place them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes until golden.

2. Herb-Crusted Roast Beef

• Ingredients:

- 3 to 4 lbs beef roast (like ribeye or tenderloin) - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 4 cloves garlic, minced - 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped - 1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped - 1 tablespoon salt and pepper

• Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 450°F (232°C). 2. Mix the olive oil, garlic, rosemary, thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. 3. Rub the mixture over the roast. 4. Place the roast in a roasting pan and sear it for 15 minutes in the oven. 5. Reduce the temperature to 325°F (162°C) and roast for about 1.5 hours, or until the internal temperature reaches 135°F (57°C) for medium-rare. 6. Let it rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing.

3. Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes

• Ingredients:

- 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and cubed - 1 head garlic - 1/2 cup milk - 1/4 cup butter - Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Roast garlic in the oven at 400°F (200°C) for about 30 minutes until soft. 2. Boil potatoes until tender (about 15-20 minutes). 3. Drain potatoes and mash with the roasted garlic, milk, butter, salt, and pepper until smooth.

4. Honey-glazed Carrots

• Ingredients:

- 1 lb carrots, sliced - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon butter - Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Steam the carrots until tender (about 5-7 minutes). 2. In a skillet, melt the butter and honey, then toss the carrots in the mixture. Cook for another 3-4 minutes to glaze.

5. Green Bean Almondine

• Ingredients:

- 1 lb green beans, trimmed - 1/4 cup slivered almonds - 2 tablespoons butter - Salt and pepper to taste

• Instructions:

1. Blanch green beans in boiling water for 3-4 minutes, then immediately plunge them into ice water. 2. In a skillet, melt butter and toast almonds until golden, then add the green beans and sauté for 2-3 minutes.

6. Classic Pumpkin Pie

• Ingredients:

- 1 pie crust (store-bought or homemade) - 2 cups pumpkin puree - 3/4 cup sugar - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg - 1/4 teaspoon ginger - 3 eggs - 1 can (12 oz) evaporated milk

• Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (218°C). 2. Combine all ingredients in a bowl and pour into the pie crust. 3. Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce temperature to 350°F (177°C) and bake for another 40-50 minutes until set.

Helpful Notes

• Prepare the appetizer and dessert a day ahead to reduce day-of stress.

• Consider a lovely holiday drink, like mulled wine or a festive punch, to enhance the dinner experience.

• Ensure your dining area is cozy and adorned with some seasonal decorations! 🎄✨

“Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon, or not at all.” 🍽️