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Strawberry-Chipotle Glazed Ham

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This holiday glazed ham recipe has been sponsored in partnership with California Giant Berry Farms. As always, all opinions expressed are my own.

strawberry chipotle glazed ham #sponsored

Easter dinner (or brunch, depending on the year) always means one of two dishes for my family: roasted leg of lamb or glazed ham. Both are crowdpleasers, but when it comes to effortless, yet elegant entertaining for a large group, few dishes fit the bill more than spiral-sliced ham. Since this type of ham is pre-cooked, all you need to do is heat it through in the oven and caramelize the exterior with your favorite glaze. Like many, I love pairing sweet fruit with the smoky, salty flavor of ham. With spring heralding the start of prime strawberry season, it’s the perfect time to dress up your Easter ham with a fresh strawberry sauce. For my Strawberry-Chipotle Glazed Ham, I simmer strawberry puree with brown sugar, honey, and a touch of chipotle in adobo until thick and glossy, and brush it onto the ham for the last 30 minutes of baking. It’s some of the best flavors of spring, with a hint of heat in the background to balance the sweetness….

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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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Caramelized Onion and Pear Jam

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Sweet and tangy Caramelized Onion and Pear Jam with brown sugar, whole grain Dijon, white balsamic vinegar, and thyme is a lovely accompaniment to fall and winter cheese boards. 

Caramelized Onion and Pear Jam recipe

There’s something about having a pot of jam simmering on the stove this time of year that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. The flavors and aromas are so comforting when you walk into the kitchen and set such a picturesque mood for the holiday season.

Peach jams are my favorite in the summer months, but as we head into fall and winter, pears set my heart aflutter.

Over the past few years, I’ve become so partial to recipes that marry sweet and savory flavors (such as bacon or onion jams), so it seemed a natural fit to pair my favorite winter fruit with a savory component.

Caramelized Onion and Pear Jam is at once sweet and tangy, comforting and elegant. It pairs well with a variety of cheeses, making it perfect for holiday entertaining, or for indulging yourself on a cold winter evening.

Spread slices of baguette with creamy whipped goat cheese and a dollop of this jam, and I’m in heaven.
Bartlett Pears

I adapted this recipe from techniques in two of my previous recipes: Major Grey’s Mango Chutney and Bacon-Peach Jam.

For this jam, I opted to use light brown sugar instead of dark so the flavor wouldn’t overpower the delicate pears and caramelized onions, with white balsamic vinegar for a sweet-tart acidity, whole grain Dijon, and fresh thyme leaves.

I found that caramelizing the pears with the onions before simmering brought out the flavors of each component beautifully, resulting in a jam with well-developed layers….

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