Elegant Holiday: Cherry-Pecan Brie

For the Introduction to this series of recipes, click HERE

CHERRY-PECAN BRIE

1/3 cup cherry preserves
1 Tblsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp fresh ground pepper
1/8 tsp salt
1 (16oz) warm Brie round with rind removed from top
Garnish: toasted pecans
Assorted crackers

• Stir together cherry preserves, balsamic vinegar, pepper and salt in a bowl. Drizzle over Brie. Top with chopped toasted pecans. Serve with crackers.

"An Elegant Holiday Dinner"

from Southern Living's 

"Cooking for Christmas"
Cherry-Pecan Brie
Tossed Greens-and-Grapes Salad
Easy Asiago-Olive Rolls
Pancetta-Wrapped Beef Tenderloin with Whipped Horseradish Cream
Crispy Potatoes with Fennel
Lemon-Garlic Green Beans
Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Mint-Honey Lamb Skewers

MINT-HONEY LAMB SKEWERS

I added potatoes to my skewers, this recipe is for the lamb pieces only.

1 cup chopped fresh mint

3/4 cup dry white wine

2 tblsp lemon juice

2 tblsp honey

3 lbs cubed lamb stew meat

1 tblsp apricot preserves

2 tblsp cornstarch

1 tblsp water

• In a small bowl combine mint, wine, lemon juice and honey. Stir to combine.
• In a large bowl place the lamb and add the wine mixture and toss until combined. Cover and refridgerate 4 hours to overnight.
• Place lamb on skewers and reserve remaining marinade and set aside.
• Grill skewers until lamb is cooked through, about 8 minutes on each side. Set aside.
• In small saucepan, bring reserved marinade to a simmer. Whisk in apricot preserves until dissolved and then reduce heat to low and simmer for 5 minutes, adding water as needed,
• Dissolve cornstarch in 1 tblsp of water and whisk into sauce to thicken; simmer for 1 minute longer and baste over the lamb skewers, then serve.

Apricot & Apple Vanilla Pie

Yes, you read these words right! This was really just a whim of flavors...and guess what? It WORKED!

I made these for my grandmother's 80th birthday--she LOVES flowers and so this was perfect for her. And this is so easy for you to do as well! Pretty much all package stuff with a little bit of creativity.

APRICOT & APPLE VANILLA PIE

1 Pillsbury pie crust roll (uncooked dough)
5-6 apples
1 jar apricot preserves
1 large box instant vanilla pudding

• Unroll pie crust dough and form into a greased pie plate. 
• Make instant pudding and put a layer about 3/4 inch deep on the bottom of the pie crust.
• Gently shave apples into strips (with vegetable peeler), WITH the skin still on. Carefully roll up the shavings into "flowers." Be creative! This takes time, so peel 1 apple at a time, shape into flower, and repeat.
• Gently spread a little bit of apricot preserves over the apple-flowers and over the edges of the pie crust.
• Back at 350 degrees F for 30-45 minutes, or until edges are golden brown and apples are cooked.
• Let cool completely at room temperature!

If you aren't much of a baker, this is a great recipe to make people THINK you are! ;)