SouthShoreMagazine

holiday great tastes ~ Fruit Center Marketplace Merry and Bright Amp up your holiday gatherings and maximize your time in the kitchen with a few homemade treats which are sure to impress, easy to pack and simple to put together. by Jessica Benson There are no two ways about it: the holidays are crazy. And whether you're the type of person who starts enthusiastically untangling the Christmas lights in early October or you're grabbing the last tree on the lot on December 24th, at some point during this season, you will most likely find yourself socializing with friends. Whether you're hosting the soiree or have been asked to contribute to the potluck, it's important to have an arsenal of easy, impressive snacks and drinks in your back pocket for this busy and festive time of the year. At the Fruit Center Marketplace we know that when the crowds are out and the traffic is crawling, time management is an essential part of enjoying the "Most Wonderful Time of the Year." So, we've compiled a few easy treats that serve two purposes: each recipe works interchangeably as a make-yourself recipe, or a wrap-and-give hostess gift. All three of these recipes come together fast and travel handily so you can embrace the holidays without feeling frantic. 1. THE KNOCK OUT SNACK: These savory, herby, just-so-slightly-spicy cashews are absolutely addictive holiday snack. Terrifically simple to make, these demand just six easy-to-find ingredients and less than fifteen minutes of your time—but they taste deliciously decadent. You can whip these together as guests arrive at your house and greet them with salty, savory nuts warm from the oven. To gift these cashews: make them ahead of time, pack into a mason jar and bring them with you to a friend's for an easy, edible hostess gift. 24 ROSEMARY ROASTED CASHEWS (from Barefoot Contessa) 1 pound cashew nuts 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh rosemary leaves ½ teaspoon cayenne 2 teaspoons dark brown sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 1 tablespoon melted butter Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place cashews on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 10 minutes, until warm and fragrant. While the cashews warm: use a spice grinder or mortar and pestle to grind together the rosemary, cayenne, brown sugar and salt. If you do not have a mortar and pestle or spice grinder, simply chop the rosemary as finely as you can with kitchen scissors and combine with all other ingredients in a small bowl. Melt butter, either on the stovetop or in the microwave. Remove the hot nuts from the oven and toss into a large bowl, pour butter over and top with half the spice mixture. Toss together thoroughly, add the remainder of the spice mixture and mix together again. Serve immediately. (To make ahead: nuts can be made two to three days ahead of time. Store in an air tight container and heat gently in a warm oven before serving if desired). 2. PUNCH IT UP: Nothing says "let's party" than the presence of a punch bowl filled with sparkling wine. Forget the complicated punch recipes with seven kinds of hard-to-find cognacs: the base for this festive, bubbly punch borrows two healthy ingredients from the produce department and can be made up to a week ahead of time. So all you have to do come party time is add some ice and chilled wine and line up the glasses. The best thing about punch at the holidays is that it's self-serve and low-maintenance, so you have

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