Making homemade sugar scrub was a revelation for me.

Did you ever use that St. Ives apricot sugar scrub in the 90s? I used it ALL the time in high school.

Have you ever made my Homemade Sugar Scrub with Brown Sugar and Coconut Oil? After I made that I never bought scrub ever again. It smells better, it moisturizes like a champ (hello, coconut oil), and... sometimes you can eat it.

Today I've got a couple of holiday variations (flavors? lol) of my sugar scrub -- Candy Cane & Gingerbread! They only take about 10 minutes to make, and they're perfect for stocking stuffers or teacher gifts.

Let's start with the candy cane scrub. And I really mean candy cane. There are literal candy canes in there.

Here's a little video to show you how it's done!

For this recipe I used 6 large (regular sized) candy canes.

A food processor  makes this first step easy.

You could also put the candy canes in a zip top bag and whack them with a rolling pin. I love using actual candy canes in this scrub because it turns the scrub a pretty shade of pink and adds little flecks of white and red.

I don't actually enjoy eating candy canes, so I find other ways to enjoy them.

Also, when you're blending candy canes, don't forget to put the extra little plunger-thing into the lid so you don't end up with candy smoke all over your kitchen.

Breathing this stuff isn't super pleasant either.

But it was rather ethereal and fun to watch -- like dry ice. My 4-year-old loved it.

At this point, just add the sugar and coconut oil and blend it up again until it resembles wet sand.

You'll want your coconut oil solid, but not super hard. Shoot for the consistency of shortening to get the best texture.

You can use other types of sugar (or salt!) and oil in sugar scrub -- I talk about it in more detail in my Homemade Brown Sugar Scrub post.

I didn't feel like the candy canes gave it enough peppermint scent (or flavor, if we're being honest. Sometimes I dip my finger in there and lick it.)

I added some peppermint oil. Spearmint oil is fun, too.

What kind of essential oil should I use in sugar scrub?

I'm not loyal to any particular oil company, FYI. I do have a lot of DoTERRA oils and one from a company called Youngevity.

I've recently started buying Revive essential oils and like them a lot. They're high quality and don't cost as much as the ones from the big MLMs.

If you use my Revive link, you can get a $10 gift card on your first purchase!

Just be aware of the potency of certain essential oils. In the gingerbread scrub I used ground baking spices instead of ginger, cinnamon, and clove oils because the cinnamon and clove oils are super potent and can irritate the skin.

I learned that once the hard way. Oops.

Much of what's in your pantry is fair game! I even used molasses in the gingerbread scrub. And then I realized that brown sugar is sugar + molasses and I could have just used that. I'd still add more molasses, though, to give it a more gingerbread-like scent.

How do I store sugar scrub?

I like to store sugar scrub in mason jars because they're easy to clean and reuse. And I have a whole cupboard of them. I especially like the short squatty half-pint jars because it's easy to get all the scrub out when you're using it. Plus they're cute.

Also, if your scrub gets warm and separated, just use your finger and mix it back up. Easy peasy.

I'm not super creative when it comes to frou-frouing things. For these I just cut some rounds of paper with my hole punches. I got my punches at Michaels 100 years ago, but this 3-pack of punches on Amazon is similar.

Having a pad (or three) of scrapbook paper and some punches in my craft stash has been super helpful for things like this. I don't scrapbook if I can help it. (Yay for chat books!) But I do love fun paper.

I also used washi tape, baker's twine, and some little gingerbread ornaments I found at Michaels.

More Recipes on Perry's Plate

Candy Cane Sugar Scrub

Yield: Makes about 2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

This sweet, pepperminty homemade sugar scrub is a cinch to make with candy canes sitting around your house and a couple other pantry ingredients.

Print

Ingredients

• 6 large, regular-sized candy canes
• 1 cup white sugar (fine or coarse)
• ¾ cup coconut oil (solid, but not super hard)
• 15-20 drops peppermint essential oil or ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract

Instructions

1. Unwrap the candy canes, break them into large pieces, and put them in the work bowl of a food processor. Pulse and blend until they're ground up well. You don't want large shards of candy cane. (If you don't have a food processor, put them in a large zip top bag and smash them with a rolling pin. Or you could try using your blender.)
2. Add the sugar, oil, and peppermint oil/extract to the processor and pulse until the mixture sticks together and resembles wet sand. (Again, if you aren't using a processor, transfer the candy cane powder to a large mixing bowl with the rest of the ingredients and mix by hand. You may want your coconut oil a bit softer so you don't have hard clumps in your scrub.
3. Transfer the sugar scrub to lidded glass jars or another type of lidded container. Store away from heat (not in the shower) if you want to maintain the creamy texture.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  KAMOTA Mason Jars 4 oz With Regular Lids and Bands

Gingerbread Sugar Scrub

Yield: Makes about 2 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

I don't blame you if you eat this scrub straight out of the jar. It tastes like gingerbread cookie dough. And it smells AMAZING used as a scrub!

Print

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar (fine or coarse)
• ¾ cup coconut oil (solid, but not rock hard)
• 2 Tablespoons molasses
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon ground cloves

Instructions

1. Put all of the ingredients into the workbowl of a food processor (or a mixing bowl, if you don't have a processor.)
2. Pulse until the mixture sticks together and resembles wet sand.
3. Transfer to a lidded container and store away from heat (if you want to keep the creamy texture).

Disclosure: This post may contain Amazon affiliate links. Purchases made by using these links don’t cost you any extra and helps to keep my content free.

The post Holiday Homemade Sugar Scrub -- Two Ways! appeared first on Perry's Plate.

The way a simmer pot makes my house smell is unreal. Like the very best holiday scented candle, but BETTER. And you can make them last a few days just by refilling your pot!!

My kids and I put together dozens of these kits easily in just a couple of hours. I included printable instruction tags for you down below.

What are Simmer Pots?

Simmer pots are sometimes called stovetop potpourri. Basically it's a simmering pot of citrus, spices, and other things to make your house smell amazeballs. An all-natural (I hate that word, but it's appropriate here) air freshener!

We made simmer pot kits as neighbor gifts about five years ago and again last year for our neighbors and patients at our office and they were a HUGE success!

I'm always on the hunt for easy gifts to give to neighbors, teachers, and friends that aren't a plate of cookies. Homemade sugar scrub is another homemade non-treat gift that I like to make. (I even have holiday sugar scrubs! Have you seen them?)

Don't get me wrong -- I love me some Christmas cookies, but sometimes plate after plate of goodies is a little much.

That's why simmer pots are such a great gift! They're useful, consumable, and it's easy to put them together.

What's in a simmer pot kit?

To get the best aroma out of a simmer pot kit, I like to add at least one thing from each of these groups:

Citrus

My go-t0 is a navel orange. They're easy to find, inexpensive, and I love the combination of orange with the cranberries. You could use lemons, limes, or even grapefruit. Grapefruit are a little large, so half of a grapefruit ought to do.

Cranberries

Cranberries are all over this time of year, they last a few weeks in the refrigerator, and they're the more gorgeous shade of red! They really make your simmer pot kit beautiful and add such a beautiful scent. I don't think there's any substitution for cranberries. 

Whole Spices

Most of the time I use cinnamon sticks and whole cloves. Star anise are a beautiful, fun addition with their star shaped pods, too. Whole spices are best purchased in bulk departments of grocery stores or online. I wouldn't buy the little jars if you plan on taking a dozen of these kits to your neighbors. If you're in a pinch, you could also use ground spices.

Herbs/Woodsy things

Bay leaves, rosemary sprigs, or pine cuttings add a nice, woodsy scent to the simmer pot blend.

Isn't it pretty floating in the pot like that? 

Well, in about 20 minutes it's not quite as pretty, so enjoy that part at the beginning. Ha.

How to Assemble a Stovetop Potpourri Kit

I use simple clear cellophane bags like the ones sold at craft stores. Try to find ones that have a gusset in the bottom or open up wider or else you won't be able to get your orange in there. The ones I used above are 4"x9" gusseted (flat bottom) cellophane bags and I linked to them in the bottom of the recipe card, too.

There isn't a method of packaging them, really. Just put all of the ingredients in with a little note telling your friends what to do with it and tie it up with a tag!

Click HERE for a little printable of the note I included the last time I made them. Nothing fancy, but it's one less thing you'll have to do!

How long can I use a simmer pot?

Realistically, you could use it for about a week. Just add water when the level gets low, and turn it off at night when you go to bed.

If you don't want to keep a burner on all day, try using your slow cooker! You'll need to continue to add water to that as well. Keep the lid halfway on the pot so you don't lose water too quickly.

More Recipes on Perry's Plate

Homemade Potpourri

Yield: Makes 1 simmer pot

Simmer pot kits (or stovetop potpourri) have been one of our favorite neighbor gift over the last several years! Everyone loves the way their home smells when it's simmering away on the stove! I included instructions for 10 simmer pot kits in the instructions, too.

Print

Ingredients

• 1 small or medium navel orange
• ½ cup fresh cranberries
• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 Tablespoons whole cloves
• 3 bay leaves or a pine or rosemary sprig
• 1 whole star anise (optional)

Instructions

1. Slice the orange into 4-5 rounds and put them, along with the rest of the ingredients into a medium sauce pan with 6 cups of water.
2. Bring to a boil, then simmer on low for as long as you like, adding water when needed.

To make the kits, put all of the ingredients (leaving the orange whole) in a clear, cellophane bag and tie the top with a piece of twine or ribbon.

Notes

Nat's Notes:

1. You could realistically keep this going for several days, turning the stove off at night and back on the next morning. Or use your slow cooker if you don't like the idea of leaving your stove turned on for prolonged periods.
2. The measurements here are loosey-goosey. Feel free to use more or less of any ingredient to your liking. This is simply the combination we liked best.

INGREDIENTS FOR 10 SIMMER POT KITS:

• 10 navel oranges
• 5 cups fresh cranberries (about 18 ounces)
• 30 cinnamon sticks
• 1 ¼ cup whole cloves
• 30 bay leaves
• 10 whole star anise

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  100 Bag Set - Gussett Style 4 Inch x 2 Inch x 9 Inch Cello Bags - Clear 1.5 MIL - No Content Included - Cello Bags only
• 
  Soeos Star Anise Pods
• 
  Yamees Cinnamon Sticks
• 
  Anthony's Organic Whole Cloves, 1 lb

The post How to Make Simmer Pots (Stovetop Potpourri) appeared first on Perry's Plate.

Peppermint bark is so great isn't it? It's one of my favorite treats during the holidays and SO easy to make.

I wrote a post a while back about How to Make Chocolate Bark with a recipe for Blackberry Bacon Bark Bites, but I wanted to specifically talk about peppermint bark since it's the most common type of chocolate bark.

Peppermint bark is a quick and easy treat to give to neighbors and friends, too. I love it because it stays fresh for a long time and it's easy to package in a cello bag or a cute little box or tin.

Keto Homemade Peppermint Bark

To make keto peppermint bark, simply switch out your regular chocolate for low-carb friendly chocolate. Lily's chocolate is my favorite one to use because it melts well and it's easy to find these days in most grocery stores.

Lily's chocolate is also on Amazon and you can find it discounted on Thrive Market (use that link to get $25 off your first order!)

Obviously candy canes aren't keto-friendly, but a small amount of crushed candy cane sprinkled on the bark wouldn't throw your macros off too badly. There are 10g of sugar in one candy cane and you only need 1 or 2 for this whole pan of peppermint bark.

If you're REALLY not wanting to use candy canes, then leave them out.

The Best Chocolate for Melting for Chocolate Peppermint Bark

If you can find high quality chocolate melts (the ones that look like little disks) they tend to melt more easily than regular baking chips.

If you live near a WinCo foods, they have Guittard chocolate melts in their bulk department which work great!

Craft stores like Michaels sells colored candy melts that work well, but it's usually very low quality and doesn't taste as good as actual chocolate.

If you have a big block of chocolate, you can use that, too. Just chop the chocolate into ½-inch bits first.

Best Peppermint Flavoring for Homemade Peppermint Bark

When you add flavorings to chocolate, you have to be really careful that it doesn't contain water.

I ALWAYS use peppermint essential oil when I make peppermint bark because there's no water and it's super concentrated so I only need a few drops.

I love this Organic Peppermint Oil from Revive. (If you use the code PERRYSPLATE10 you can get 10% off your order or 15% off $100 or more.)

How to Melt Chocolate Chips for Chocolate Peppermint Bark

If you're using low-carb chocolate, it's the same process as regular chocolate.

Just put a small amount (8-10 ounces at a time) in a microwave-safe bowl and heat for 20-30 second intervals on high -- stirring between each interval.

You don't want to put it in there for 1-2 minutes straight or you'll burn your chocolate. White chocolate chips are especially prone to burning.

Best Peppermint Bark Ingredients

• Milk or dark chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Peppermint essential oil
• Candy canes (optional)

How to Make Peppermint Bark

Classic peppermint bark has a double layer of chocolate -- regular chocolate on the bottom and white chocolate on top.

1. First, spread out the melted milk or dark chocolate on a piece of parchment. Let it harden completely (I put mine outside since I live in Idaho. Just make sure it isn't raining or snowing!)
2. Then spread out the melted white chocolate.
3. Sprinkle the candy canes.
4. Let the whole thing harden completely.
5. Break it into pieces. (My favorite part.)

The whole thing can be done in less than 30 minutes depending on how quickly your chocolate hardens.

Fun, right??

Breaking it up is so fun. My kids love doing this part.

Peppermint Bark Chocolate Variations

• Nuts - add some almond slices, macadamias or pecans to the mix.
• Dried fruit - cranberries, raisins or candied orange would be good.
• Other essentail oils - Orange and peppermint? Yes please!

Ways to Serve the Best Peppermint Bark

Have some extra peppermint bark lying around? Here are a few creative ways to use it if you don't want to just eat it right out of the container. (That's OK, too.)

• Sprinkle it into your hot chocolate or on ice cream.
• Chop it up and make some peppermint bark cookies with either a chocolate or vanilla cookie base.
• Air pop some popcorn, drizzle it with white chocolate and sprinkle some peppermint bark on top.
• Add some bark to a fun dessert tray with all of your leftover holiday treats and take it to a gathering. (Hello, New Year's Eve!)

Homemade Peppermint Bark FAQs

More Holiday Treat Ideas on Perry's Plate

Here are a few more ideas for easy treat giving!

How to Make Chocolate Bark is a great one for more ideas on making homemade chocolate bark!

Dairy-Free Loaded Chai Caramel Popcorn is filled with dried apples, pecans, coconut flakes and covered in a delicious chai-spice caramel sauce!

Paleo Samoa Cookie Bars make a great addition to a cookie plate! And great for gifting to those who have gluten, dairy or nut allergies.

Blackberry Bacon Bark Bites are another keto chocolate recipe that is unique and fun for giving.

Best Paleo Chocolate Chip Cookies with Sea Salt is a paleo-friendly take on a classic chocolate chip cookie!

If you make one of my recipes, I'd love to see! Post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Recipe for Peppermint Bark

Yield: Serves 10

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Additional Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This easy homemade peppermint bark recipe can be done in under 30 minutes! I added suggestions for making this keto-friendly and/or dairy-free.

Print

Ingredients

• 9 ounces milk or dark chocolate chips
• 9 ounces white chocolate chips
• 10 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1-2 candy canes (optional)

Instructions

1. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Melt the milk or dark chocolate by putting the chips/melts into a small microwave-safe bowl. Cook on high for 20-second intervals, stirring after every one, until the chocolate is completely melted.
3. Spread the chocolate in a thin, even layer on the parchment paper. Put the pan somewhere cold (like the fridge, freezer, or outside if it isn't raining or snowing) for 5-8 minutes until the chocolate is completely firm.
4. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in another small, microwave-safe bowl in the same way, stirring after every 20-second interval. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the peppermint oil.
5. Crush the candy canes using a food processor or in a zip top container with a rolling pin.
6. Spread the white chocolate over the hardened chocolate. Sprinkle the candy canes on top of the white chocolate.
7. Put the pan somewhere cold again until the whole thing is completely firm. Break the bark into pieces. Store in a cool, lidded container or in the refrigerator.

Notes

To make this bark low-carb/keto friendly, use low-carb chocolate. I recommend Lily's because it melts well. The candy canes are optional if you're worried about the extra sugar.

To make this recipe dairy-free, use dairy-free chocolate chips.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  Dark Chocolate Chips by Lily's | Stevia Sweetened
• 
  White Chocolate Style Baking Chips By Lily's Sweets | Stevia Sweetened

Nutrition Information

Yield 10 Serving Size 1
Amount Per Serving Calories 200Total Fat 11gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 4gCholesterol 8mgSodium 39mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 3g

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

The post Homemade Peppermint Bark appeared first on Perry's Plate.

I’ve always thought fondue=fancy. It was something you ordered at that “melty” restaurant and paid a lot of money for. But nothing I’d tackle at home. Until I did! And guess what? It’s much more simple than you think! (And you don’t need a fondue pot!)

Why you'll love this Easy Cheese Fondue Recipe

Why is this recipe so great? Most fondue recipes contain wine or beer, but this one is alcohol free. It’s also gluten free (in case you’re concerned with food allergies) and you can make and serve it in a regular saucepan on the stove. I also have some tips to ensure your cheese fondue is silky smooth and not clumpy.

We have been making cheese fondue for Christmas Eve dinner for YEARS and it’s such a special tradition that my kids love. That particular night is already busy and it’s fun to have something impressive, yet easy to make to celebrate being together for the holidays.

Ingredients to make Cheese Fondue without Wine

• Gruyere Cheese
• Baby Swiss Cheese
• Tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
• Garlic clove
• Chicken broth
• Apple cider
• Lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper

What kind of cheese is good for fondue?

Classic cheese fondue is made with gruyere and maybe Swiss cheeses, but you can use any other cheese as long as it melts well. Gouda, fontina, and Monterey Jack are good ones. (Psst. Gruyere and fontina are both types of Swiss cheese -- did you know?)

Mozzarella melts well, too, but it's incredibly stringy, so I wouldn't recommend using it.

Do I need a fondue pot?

It's best to have a pot with a heat source to keep the fondue warm. It keeps it from clumping as it cools. If you don't want to buy a fondue pot, you'll have to put the pot back on the stove periodically to keep the fondue warm.

If you anticipate having fondue nights throughout the year, then investing in a fondue pot would be a good choice! There are several different kinds -- electric, gas-heated, and candle-heated. I have an electric one (but borrowed a candle-lit one from a friend for this post).

I linked to a couple different kinds of fondue pots in the recipe card (including the electric one that I own). You can use any of them for chocolate fondue as well. (We sometimes do chocolate fondue on Christmas Eve, too! Or on Valentine's Day.)

You could also use a small slow cooker!

How to make this Easy Cheese Fondue Recipe without Wine

1. Put the grated cheese in a medium bowl and sprinkle the tapioca starch over the cheese. Toss to coat the cheese evenly. (Don't skip this step. The starch keeps the cheese from clumping and makes the fondue smoother and thicker.)
2. Cut the garlic clove in half and rub the cut side all over the inside of the pot or bowl in which you plan to serve the fondue.
3. Put the broth and cider in a medium saucepan and heat it to simmering. Reduce heat to medium-low until the liquid is no longer bubbling, but steamy and hot.
4. Begin adding the cheese to the pot a little at a time by grabbing a small handful and sprinkle it into the hot liquid while stirring with the other hand in a figure 8 motion.
5. Continue gradually adding handfuls of cheese (after the previous handfuls have completely melted) until all of the cheese has been added and the fondue is thick, stringy, and relatively smooth.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you'd like a stronger garlic flavor, use a microplane grater and grate ½ of the garlic clove into the pot.
7. Pour the fondue into the bowl of a fondue pot or desired serving dish.
8. Serve with your choice of dippers.

How to make a Cheese Fondue Platter

Choose healthier bread, chip & cracker alternatives

A charcuterie board without some kind of chip or cracker for dipping is just a meat & veggie tray, right? Dippers are ESSENTIAL and kids LOVE to dip things!

Find some healthier dippers like homemade sourdough bread cubes, veggie chips, grain-free tortilla chips, and gluten-free seed crackers.

Let's get back to charcuterie building.

Choose veggies & fruit they like

This will 100% depend on your kids. My kids happen to like most of their vegetables in raw form, so I can put a variety of things on here and they'll eat it. If your kids only like baby carrots and grapes -- put baby carrots and grapes. And maybe one or two things that are new or unfamiliar or happen to be in season -- like pomegranates and mandarines.

I've learned that if you just set out a platter like this and walk away, they'll get curious enough to try new things. Or sometimes they'll eat all the crackers and run off. Raising healthy eaters takes a lot of time and patience. Ha.

Add some protein

To round out a healthy charcuterie board, add some protein! For this platter I cut slices of ham and turkey in half and rolled them up. I also added some protein-rich hummus and.... cheese fondue has quite a bit of protein, too.

You could add hard-cooked eggs, cheese cubes (if fondue isn't their thing), beans or a bean-based dip.

Use different kinds of dips

Dips are the fun part! Have fun with this and get 2-4 different kinds for them to try.

Sadly my kids aren't huge ranch eaters, so I usually put out guacamole, hummus, and maybe one dairy-based dip. For our Christmas Eve charcuterie, I usually buy the creamy jalapeño artichoke dip I'm addicted to.

Or some kind of thick ranch-based dip. Mostly for me. I'm a ranch kid.

Tips for assembling this Easy Cheese Fondue Platter

Now that you've got your ingredients, start assembling! There aren't any hard, fast rules for this, but here are a few tips I've found to be helpful:

• Put the dips and crackers/chips in small bowls or ramekins. This keeps things neat and you avoid soggy chips if they've been sitting next to something moist for a couple of hours. It also helps to contain the dippers and make them look nicer so they aren't sliding around the platter.
• It helps to put the containers on there first and arrange the rest of the food around them.
• Be aware of what the components are touching -- don't put things together that would adversely affect their taste. Like, pomegranates shouldn't be rubbing up next to the ham and turkey. That kind of thing.

Let's talk about fondue now.

By the way, those Crunchmaster® crackers are delightful dipped in cheese fondue. Typically bread cubes are served with fondue, but crackers and chips do just as well!

Easy Fondue Recipe Serving Suggestions

Fondue nights are fun, but the thought of small children waving sharp sticks with hot, stringy cheese-covered objects around makes me nervous.

For kids under the age of 5, I fill a very small bowl with cheese and set it on their plate for them to dip. This also works if you're doing fondue for a lot of people and sticks wouldn't be practical.

Good luck with your charcutering and fonduing!

If you make one of my recipes, I'd love to see! Post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Easy Cheese Fondue Recipe Without Wine

Yield: Makes about 3 cups

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This easy cheese fondue recipe is non-alcoholic and kid-friendly! Serve it alongside a healthy holiday charcuterie for a fun Christmas Eve meal.

Print

Ingredients

• 8 ounces grated Gruyere cheese (about 2 cups)
• 8 ounces grated baby swiss cheese (about 2 cups)
• 2 tablespoons tapioca starch or arrowroot starch
• 1 whole garlic clove
• ½ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup apple cider
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• pinch of salt and black pepper

Instructions

1. Put the grated cheese in a medium bowl and sprinkle the tapioca starch over the cheese. Toss to coat the cheese evenly. (Don't skip this step. The starch keeps the cheese from clumping and makes the fondue smoother and thicker.)
2. Cut the garlic clove in half and rub the cut side all over the inside of the pot or bowl in which you plan to serve the fondue.
3. Put the broth and cider in a medium saucepan and heat it to simmering. Reduce heat to medium-low until the liquid is no longer bubbling, but steamy and hot.
4. Begin adding the cheese to the pot a little at a time by grabbing a small handful and sprinkle it into the hot liquid while stirring with the other hand in a figure 8 motion.
5. Continue gradually adding handfuls of cheese (after the previous handfuls have completely melted) until all of the cheese has been added and the fondue is thick, stringy, and relatively smooth.
6. Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you'd like a stronger garlic flavor, use a microplane grater and grate ½ of the garlic clove into the pot.
7. Pour the fondue into the bowl of a fondue pot or desired serving dish.
8. Serve with your choice of dippers.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

• 
  6 ounce Cheese and Chocolate Fondue set with tea light candle heat source.
• 
  Cuisinart CFO-3SS Electric Fondue Maker, Brushed Stainless

The post Cheese Fondue without Wine + Holiday Charcuterie Board appeared first on Perry's Plate.

I'm excited to share this smoked salmon board with you. Charcuterie boards (or meal boards... basically anything served on a large wooden tray. ha) make the most delicious meals.

I didn't think smoked salmon would be their thing, but 3 out of 4 INHALED it so quickly I had to set some aside for Steve for later.

Start off with smoked salmon. A little goes a long way, so don't feel like you need 4 pounds for your party.

Or if you're smoking your own salmon, get some really fresh salmon. I got some salmon from Catch Sikta and smoked it myself, but they all sell pre-smoked salmon and other fish which is totally delicious, too. They have the best quality fish, and it's always super fresh.

Here's my EASY tutorial on How to Smoke Salmon. Getting all of those smoky flavors into salmon is easier than you think. I hope you have a pellet grill (like a Traeger or a CampChef)!

What to serve with smoked salmon

Traditional foods that go well with smoked salmon are cream cheese, red onion, lemon juice, fresh dill, and black pepper. Things that are creamy, herby, and acidic/briny compliment smoked salmon really well.

Don't be limited to just those things, though. When you're creating a charcuterie or snack board you can add lots of different things. Things that are creamy and briny make great options. You can find everything you need at the grocery store.

Here's what I put on my board:

• Mini Brie bites (from Trader Joe's)
• Two kinds of crackers
• Two kinds of dip (a sour cream based Green Goddess dip & hummus)
• Carrot sticks
• Sliced Cucumbers
• Dill Pickles
• Sliced Pears
• Pomegranate wedges
• Spicy Dill Pickle Almonds

Tips for creating a meal board:

Add something creamy

Soft cheeses and creamy dips are always a great choice to add some richness to a charcuterie. Creamy cheese and spreads like crème fraîche are always a good thing, too. I'd go as far as to say that adding salmon dip wouldn't be a bad thing. More is more during the holidays, right?

There are even dairy-free options for dips and cream cheese now!

Add something crunchy

I always add 1-2 kinds of crackers for building a little salmon crostini. Small sourdough bread toasts, pretzels, bagel chips, and slices of rye bread are a fun choice. Nuts and veggie sticks work well, too. Just cut them into small pieces.

Add something fresh

Fresh fruit, vegetables, & fresh herbs give your meal board a fresh look. I've found also, that if I put fresh veggies and fruit out along with the more indulgent things (like cheese & crackers) my kids eat more veg. A little counterintuitive, but it works.

Add something sweet

Fruit is always a good choice and almost all fruit can be easily eaten as a finger food. I liked pears and pomegranates this time since they're seasonal for December. Depending on the purpose of the board, some candy or chocolate might be good, too.

Add something pungent, briny, and/or spicy

Covering all kinds of flavor is always a good idea and takes your charcuterie board to a whole new level. I chose pickles and spicy dill pickle almonds. Lemon wedges, pickled red onions, olives, Dijon mustard, spicy brown mustard, and marinated artichoke hearts would also compliment your smoky salmon well.

Another tip is to let your board sit at room temperature for an hour or so before serving. The flavor of the salmon and cheese will be better if they're not chilled.

We're big fans of meal boards. You can add whatever you like to your smoked salmon platter and make it as small or as large as you like. Here are a few other meal board ideas we really like.

More Meal Board Ideas on Perry's Plate

Healthy Holiday Charcuterie with Cheese Fondue -- Charcuterie and fondue is a perfect combination. My fondue recipe is easy to make and non-alcoholic. And you don't even need a fondue pot!

Rainbow Salad Board -- A beautiful rainbowtized salad board we love to pull out for St. Patrick's Day or Pride Month. I love all of the different

Valentine's Day Breakfast Board -- I surprised my kids one year with this giant breakfast board with waffles, bacon, and alllll of the toppings. And some chocolate, too.

If you make one of my recipes, I'd love to see! Post it on social media and tag me at @perrysplate or #perrysplate so I can send you some love!

Holiday Smoked Salmon Board

Yield: Serves 8

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes

This Smoked Salmon Board makes a beautiful presentation, and it's a great way to please everyone in your group because it's so customizable!

Print

Ingredients

• 8-10 ounces hot smoked salmon
• Crackers, mini toasts, or something to build crostinis
• Fresh fruit and vegetables, cut into bite-sized pieces or spears
• Creamy dips like hummus, ranch, or Green Goddess Dip
• Briny things like dill pickles, pickled red onions, or olives
• Soft cheeses like brie, herb cheese like Boursin, or another cheese you prefer

Instructions

1. Place the smoked salmon in the center of a large cutting board or food-safe wooden tray.
2. Arrange the rest of the items around the salmon, putting dips into small bowls.
3. Serve

This post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through affiliate links helps to keep my content free for you.

The post Holiday Smoked Salmon Board appeared first on Perry's Plate.

Once I was making a salad.

This salad, from Cooking with Love has these spicy sweet glazed pecans.

I flip over to the pecan recipe and begin reading the ingredients. When I came to "egg whites" my eyes glazed over.

I'm sure her spicy sweet pecans are delish, like all of the other recipes I tried, but seriously... I've got two hungry kids asking for snacks and a clingy 5-month-old that insists on being suspended, face-out, from my chest during dinner prep.

Plus, I don't separate eggs at 5:30PM on Wednesdays. So, I cheated.

Nuts go in a pan.
Then a glug of maple syrup.
A sprinkle of ginger.
And a pinch of salt.

Let it get bubbly. And in a couple if minutes the syrup will be gone and you're left with sweet, sticky, slightly-spicy glazed pecans.

(My kids loved them, so they weren't too spicy.) If you don't like or want ginger on them, cinnamon would be a good substitute..

These glazed pecans be the first recipe that is in both the salad and the dessert section

These sticky little morsels MADE that salad. And I'm sure they would also MAKE some lonely caramel ice cream sundae somewhere.

Or you could just eat them by themselves.

5-Minute Maple-Ginger Glazed Pecans

Yield: 1 ½ cups of nuts

Additional Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Maple-Ginger Glazed Pecans are a perfect little addition to any salad! Or.... an ice cream sundae.

Print

Ingredients

Toggle ingredient group

• 1 ½ cups whole, raw pecans
• 2 Tablespoons pure maple syrup
• ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
• pinch of salt

Instructions

Combine all ingredients in a small, nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat while stirring frequently. Syrup should get bubbly, then quickly evaporate, leaving a sticky coating on the nuts. That's it!

The post 5-Minute Maple-Ginger Glazed Pecans appeared first on Perry's Plate.