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When it comes to cooking for special occasions, you want to be sure that your dishes are both delicious and beautiful.
Recipes for special occasions
Whether you’re cooking for a holiday or celebrating with friends and family, these recipes will help you get started on a great meal.
- Make it a family affair.
Involve your family in the preparation of the meal, whether it’s making the appetizers or setting the table.
It helps to pass on traditions and make memories together.
- Serve a new dish for dessert.
If you want to try something different for dessert, choose a recipe that has an existing fan base and is easy to prepare ahead of time. You can even make it the night before and refrigerate until ready to serve!
The holidays are almost upon us, and that means special occasions. Whether you’re throwing a party or just looking for a way to celebrate with your family and friends, here are some delicious recipes for you to try out.
For Thanksgiving Dinner
If you’re looking for something that’s easy to make but still tastes great, try this recipe for “oven roasted” sweet potato casserole. It’s made from scratch with real ingredients, so it’s much better than any kind of canned sweet potato casserole you can buy at the store. The recipe also includes instructions for making your own piecrust if you don’t have any on hand (though pre-made piecrust works fine as well).
If you’re feeling adventurous, here’s another twist on a classic: sweet potato gnocchi! It’s basically like normal gnocchi except it’s made with sweet potatoes instead of regular potatoes. And since it’s not made with flour or eggs, it’s gluten free as well!
For Christmas Dinner
Christmas dinner is another occasion when most people expect something special to happen. This year why not surprise your guests with something new? Try this recipe for roasted parsnips — they’re
If you want to throw a party, or just make something special for someone, it’s easy to get stuck in the same old routine. But there are lots of recipes out there that are perfect for special occasions. Here are some ideas:
For a baby shower, try this recipe for lemonade cupcakes with lemon curd frosting. They’re adorable, and they’re also really delicious.
If you have a little more time on your hands and want to make something really impressive, try these recipe for chocolate chip cookies with sea salt and chocolate ganache.
For an anniversary party or wedding shower, consider making these red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. They look beautiful and taste delicious!
If you have access to fresh berries at the peak of their season, try this recipe for blueberry buckwheat pancakes topped with fresh whipped cream and maple syrup. It’s easy to make ahead of time so you can enjoy them when you get up in the morning!
Planning a party? Here are some ideas for what to serve.
These recipes are designed for special occasions. They’re also perfect for feeding a crowd and making your friends think you’re a gourmet chef.
Appetizers
Guacamole: This spicy dip is always a hit with Mexican appetizers. Serve it with chips or spread it on toast
Asian Chicken Wings: A crispy, crunchy appetizer that’s sure to please everyone
Cajun Shrimp Cocktail: A twist on the classic shrimp cocktail — make this spicy dish in advance and let guests serve themselves!
Deviled Eggs: Deviled eggs are delicious when made with dill pickles, mustard and paprika
Grilled Cheese Bites: A simple recipe that’s great for kids’ parties!
Mini Quiches: These mini quiches can be made ahead of time and reheated before serving. If you want something fancier than frozen ones, try making your own from scratch (pictured above)
Pimento Cheese Dip: A Southern favorite that goes well with crackers or chips
If you’re hosting a special occasion, you might want to make the meal with a little more care and attention. Here are some delicious recipes that will make your guests feel like they’re dining at a five-star restaurant.
- Filet Mignon with Balsamic Reduction
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Roasted Corn Salsa
- Lamb Tenderloin with Fig-Port Sauce
- Grilled Chicken Breasts with Bacon and Blue Cheese Butter
For holidays and special occasions, it’s nice to serve something a little fancier than the usual fare. These recipes are easy enough for weeknights, but also special enough for company.
Risotto with asparagus and mushrooms
Serves 6
2/3 cup dry white wine
4 cups vegetable broth
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 2 cups)
2 cloves garlic, minced (about 2 teaspoons)
1/2 pound asparagus (about 2 stalks), cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1 cup)
8 ounces cremini or button mushrooms, thinly sliced (about 3 cups)
Celebrate the holidays, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions with delicious, easy-to-make recipes.
- Bacon-Wrapped Dates with Goat Cheese and Chives
- Cranberry Butter
- Shrimp Cocktail with Homemade Cocktail Sauce
- Grilled Asparagus with Sesame-Lemon Dressing
- Hot Mulled Cider
- Red Velvet Cupcakes
If you’re planning a wedding or other special occasion, it’s always nice to make the food yourself. However, not all of us have time to spend in the kitchen or are comfortable doing so.
Here are some recipes that are simple but can be made with ingredients that aren’t too expensive. They’re perfect for any occasion — from birthdays to holidays:
- Caramelized Onion Soup Gratinee
- Cucumber-Ricotta Salad With Herbs and Pita Chips
- Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup
- Sweet Potato Latkes With Warm Apple-Cranberry Compote
A few weeks ago, I was asked to prepare a gluten-free dessert for a client’s daughter’s wedding. The bride and groom had decided not to serve any gluten-free desserts, so I was thrilled to be asked!
I made the most amazing gluten-free cupcakes using a recipe from the Gluten-Free Goddess cookbook. They were absolutely delicious. The wedding was held at a winery, so we served them with a glass of their finest Pinot Noir.
The next day, we had another event — a brunch at my house for family and friends who couldn’t make it to the wedding. Brunch is one of my favorite meals to cook, because it allows me to use my creativity while still getting something on the table quickly! I decided to make something special for dessert: lemon cake with fresh berries and cream cheese frosting. It was so good that everyone wanted seconds!
