Fiore Companies
December 2004 Heidel House News
Tips and Tricks for Holiday Cooking
Greetings,
As I started to gather my thoughts for this note, a little voice was nagging: "Don't forget to bake your cookies tonight." Like many of you this time of year, I need to bake my holiday cookies to take to work, holiday parties and for my family. Since cooking is such a traditional and important part of the holidays, I sat down with our Food and Beverage Director to get some tips and tricks to make your holiday cooking a little easier.

If cooking is taking away from your shopping time, visit our on-line store to purchase your gifts. Create a custom package for that special someone, or choose from a variety of other amenities and services. Pay for them all at our secure check-out and you'll be set for the season.

Happy Travels,
Loni

Simplify your holiday schedule
 
Our Food and Beverage Director, Larry London, had some wonderful advice for simplifying your holiday cooking schedule. Below, I've summarized his thoughts and hope that it will help you enjoy your holidays a little more. Larry also mentioned, "It's not about the cooking, it's about the tradition." I think that's an excellent statement to remember when we just can't seem to fit it all in.

Tip 1: Create a plan, schedule, and timeline, as early as possible. The more you spread cooking chores out over the days ahead, the more relaxed you'll be on the holiday.

Tip 2: Use your recipes to create a detailed shopping list in order to cut down on trips to the store.

Tip 3: At the grocery store, buy extra rolls, frozen vegetables and a frozen pie just in case something goes wrong with one of your dishes.

Tip 4: Clear your refrigerator a few days ahead to hold groceries and dishes cooked beforehand.

Tip 5: Get out your serving dishes a few days before your event. Make sure silver is polished and place sticky notes on each piece so you know what it will be used to serve.

Tip 6: Simplify holiday parties by planning them around one special recipe. Try a dinner featuring a tasty casserole and a few side dishes: All can be prepared ahead of time.

Tip 7: Delegate, delegate, delegate! Often times one person takes on the cooking, baking, cleaning and all the other chores. This is the best time of year to bond with your family and do things together. Children as young as two can help with rolling dough for cookies and sprinkling decorations on cakes and other baked goods. Older children can wrap gifts. Delegating leaves more time for you to cook your holiday favorites.

Christmas Dinner at Our House
 
This December 25, if you don't feel like cooking, join our Grey Rock staff as they celebrate Christmas in our "kinda swanky, lots of fun" restaurant. Service hours are from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. and the special holiday menu is only $25 per person.

Start your three-course meal with soup or salad, moving on to your choice of four entreés and then topping off with either Three Nut Tart or Death By Chocolate Cake. After dinner, head upstairs to our lounge. Enjoy classic cocktails and our selection of fine cigars and cognac. Relax and enjoy your holiday.

New Year's Eve
 
We still have a place for you at our New Year's celebration. If you haven't made plans yet, you'd better hurry: Our space is filling up fast. For all the details contact our Reservations Deparment at 800.444.2812.
Winter Drinks
 
Another great tip from Larry is to liven up your holiday party with a selection of winter drinks. Larry was kind enough to share some of his recipes.

Coffee Nudge
1 oz. Hazelnut Liqueur
1 oz. Brandy
½ oz. Crème de Cacao
6oz. Coffee
Garnish - Whipped Cream, Chocolate Shavings

Tight Sweater
1 oz. Kahlua
½ oz. Hazelnut Liqueur
¼ oz. Amaretto
¼ oz. Irish Cream
6 oz. Coffee
Garnish - Whipped Cream, Chocolate Shavings

Hot Buttered Rum
2 oz. Dark Rum
1 oz. Buttered Rum Batter
5 oz. Hot Water
Garnish - 1 Cinnamon Stick, Sprinkle of Nutmeg

Hot Buttered Rum Batter
1 lb. Butter, softened
1 lb. Powdered Sugar
1 lb. Brown Sugar
1 qt. Vanilla Ice cream, softened
2 tsp. Cinnamon
½ tsp. Nutmeg

Method: Cream the butter and sugars together in a mixing bowl. Add the ice cream and mix until creamy and combined. Add cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir to combine. Freeze and use as needed.

Upcoming Events
 
12.11 - Holiday House
12.17 - Little Big Party
12.25 - Christmas Dinner at Grey Rock
12.31 - New Year's Eve Celebration
1.1.05 - New Year's Day Brunch at Grey Rock
 

Contact Information

phone: 800.444.2812
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