Rice Pudding with Vanilla Bean, Orange and Rum

Ingredients
5 cups whole milk
2/3 cup Arborio rice or other short-grain white rice
1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons dark rum
1 teaspoon grated orange peel
Orange segments
Directions
Combine the milk and rice in a heavy medium saucepan.
Scrape in the seeds from the vanilla bean; add the bean. Bring the milk to a boil. Reduce the heat to [...]

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Butternut Squash, Apple and Onion Galette with Stilton

Ingredients
Dough:
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
Pinch salt
8 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, diced
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Filling:
1 large baking apple, such as Rome Beauty or Cortland
1 small or 1/2 medium butternut squash, halved, seeded, and skin on
1 small yellow onion, peeled, root end trimmed but intact
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 teaspoons chopped fresh rosemary
2 teaspoons chopped fresh [...]

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Bruschetta with Caponata

Part of this recipe requires it to be refrigerated overnight.
Ingredients
For the Caponata:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 1/2 cups 1/4-inch dice unpeeled eggplant
3/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/3 cup finely chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped pitted green olives
3 tablespoons chopped drained bottled capers
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tablespoons sugar, or to taste
3 tablespoons golden raisins
3 tablespoons pine nuts, [...]

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Mulled Cider

Ingredients
2 quarts apple cider
2 cinnamon sticks
2 whole allspice berries
2 whole cloves
1 orange, thinly sliced
Directions
Place all ingredients in a large saucepan and bring to a simmer on the grates of the grill or over a burner. Divide among individual mugs and serve hot.

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Strata with Spinach and Gruyère

This dish will need to be refrigerated over night, so you will want to make this ahead of time.
Ingredients
8 to 10 slices day-old French bread (you can toast bread)
5 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
4 medium shallots, minced (about 1/2 cup)
10-oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
salt
ground pepper
1/2 cup dry white wine
6 oz. Gruyère [...]

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Christmas Brunch

Christmas Brunch

Breakfast Casserole with Ham and Tomatoes
Baked Ham with Spiced Apples and Pears
French Toast
Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata
Petits Pains au Chocolat
Dutch Babys/Oven Pancakes
Sour Cream Coffee Cake
Spiced Pumpkin Bread
Strata with Spinach and Gruyère
Champagne Cocktails

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Champagne Cocktail

Makes 1 cocktail
1 sugar cube
1/2 tsp angostura bitters
5 oz. chilled Champagne
Lemon or orange peel twist, or 1 frozen cranberry, for garnish
Place sugar cube in a chilled champagne flute. Add bitters to moisten sugar cube. Pour in champagne. Garnish with a few frozen cranberries or lemon peels.

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Smoked Salmon and Cream Cheese Frittata

Ingredients
6 large eggs
2 tablespoons milk
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon salt (prefer kosher)
Ground black pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped chives
2 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
Directions
Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 375 degrees F.
Whisk the eggs, milk, salt, pepper dill and chives together [...]

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French Toast

Ingredients
1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
3 large eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
8  slices of loaf, brioche or croissants
4 tablespoons butter
Directions
In medium size mixing bowl, whisk together the half-and-half/heavy cream, eggs and salt. Pour custard mixture into a shallow dish and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Dip bread into mixture, allow to soak for 30 seconds [...]

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Baked Ham with Spiced Apples and Pears

Ingredients
1 ham, spiral sliced, 8 to 10 pounds (cooked)
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1 cup pure cane syrup
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 cup dark corn syrup
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 pounds (about 4)  apples (suggested granny smith)
1 1/2 pounds (about [...]

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