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The Creamiest Mashed Potatoes

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These Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes are the creamiest potatoes you’ll ever taste. Rich and indulgent, they are perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday dinner. Make ahead and reheat over simmering water for easy entertaining.

creamy mashed potatoes recipe cream cheese

Growing up, we always had large holiday gatherings. The table was beautifully-set, and my mother would bring out dish after dish of our favorite foods, including these Cream Cheese Mashed Potatoes. Then and now, she always seems to pull off everything effortlessly when she entertains.

I learned everything I know about elegant entertaining from my mother. Even when something went wrong, our guests never knew it.

Like, one Thanksgiving of my early teenage years when I almost ruined the mashed potatoes….

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Cream of Mixed Mushroom Soup

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Made with a full pound of mushrooms, this homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup is the real deal. Elegant comfort food at its best!

homemade cream of mushroom soup recipe

Anyone local reading my blog who sees that I’ve been simmering pots of cream of mushroom soup on the stove might think I’ve gone out of my mind. While it’s October, the leaves are falling, and there are pumpkins everywhere you look, it’s also been consistently in the mid-80’s.

Not exactly the weather you think of for getting cozy with a steamy bowl of soup.

Whether enjoying a bowl to warm up on a chilly day (whenever that might be), or serving it as an elegant start to a holiday meal, a bowl of homemade Cream of Mushroom Soup is never something I’d turn away.

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Gouda and Crab Stuffed Mushrooms

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These rich Crab and Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms, with sweet lump crabmeat, garlic, and Dijon, are a perfect appetizer or side dish for any celebration. 

Crab and Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms

I walked into a store today, and a display of chocolate hearts and stuffed bears greeted me, with a giant sign proclaiming that Valentine’s Day is just around the bend.

I shouldn’t be surprised given that the same location was selling Halloween candy in August, with fully decked halls in October, but I, for one, would love to hit the pause button on the holiday jumping and savor the arrival of 2017.

New Year’s Eve is primetime for appetizers, and this year I’m sharing one of our favorites: Crab and Gouda Stuffed Mushrooms. These elegant mushrooms, stuffed with lump crabmeat, cream cheese, Gouda, and a touch of Dijon, are perfect for any celebration, from Christmas and New Year’s to game watch parties and beyond.

When you think about it, is there any special occasion that wouldn’t benefit from a stuffed mushroom on the menu? Not in my house!

hollowed mushroom capscremini mushroom caps on pan
Stuffed mushrooms are so easy to make and are always a crowd-pleaser.

For this recipe, I like to use cremini mushrooms. They have a bit of a deeper flavor than buttons, which complements the crab and Gouda well. (Button mushrooms can certainly be substituted if you prefer them or are unable to find cremini.)

For the filling, I use sweet lump crabmeat and add sautéed chopped mushroom stems, scallions, and garlic to the cheeses for an extra boost of flavor. A squeeze of lemon juice just before serving brightens the rich flavors for a well-balanced bite….

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The Perfect Cheese Board + Holiday Style with JORD

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Disclosure: This cheese board tutorial and holiday entertaining post was sponsored by JORD wood watches. All opinions expressed are my own.

The Perfect Cheese Board + Holiday Style with JORD #sponsored

With the holiday season upon us, we’ve headed into one of the busiest months of the year. It’s a wonderful season to celebrate with family and friends, but with non-stop schedules, it can also be a stressful time to be a host. Everyday life doesn’t stop for the holidays, so when I find myself with guests on the way, laundry in the dryer to be folded, and, perhaps, an angelic little puppy chewing everything he shouldn’t, I need ways not only to entertain effortlessly, but to look stylish doing so. A great watch has always been my favorite way to accessorize an outfit, and cheese boards are my “go-to” choice whether I’m serving a crowd, or an intimate gathering of friends. Today, I’m going to show you how to create the perfect cheese board, and will be featuring JORD’s designer wood watches for unique and sophisticated holiday style.

JORD wood watch #sponsored

As I’ve mentioned several times before on the blog, I love pieces crafted from wood grains. Whether it’s a beautiful serving bowl, furniture, or jewelry, wood provides some of nature’s most interesting art. When I was contacted by JORD to feature one of their watches on Striped Spatula, I was delighted. I chose the Cora series watch in Koa (a wood endemic to Hawaii), with a rose gold face, and I’ve already gotten so many compliments wearing it. Most watches on the market aren’t made of wood, so it’s a standout piece that really garners attention on the wrist. I love that it’s casual enough to wear with a pair of jeans and a sweater, but at the same time, elegant with a dress for a holiday party. As a part of this post, JORD has generously offered Striped Spatula readers a $25 e-gift code toward the purchase of one of their watches. Visit the giveaway page before December 18th, 2016 to receive your voucher.

cheese board varieties jord wood watch #sponsored

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