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Holiday Favorites
Granny's Cream Puffs
Every holiday season, my grandmother arrived with a gift we all waited for—her famous cream puffs. She made them for both Christmas and Thanksgiving, and the pride on her face was unmistakable. Though the recipe is wonderfully simple with just a handful of ingredients, she turned it into something magical. When she dusted the finished puffs with powdered sugar, it was as if she were making it snow right there in the kitchen—and the joy in her eyes said everything.
Over the years, I’ve picked up a few lessons of my own, one being: don’t attempt these on humid days. My grandmother used to transport hers in a gift box; I’ve carried on the tradition using a wooden four-bottle wine box that originally came with a vertical tasting set. It’s become part of the ritual.
I hope you and your family enjoy these cream puffs as much as mine has for more than 50 years.
Vegetable Pizza
This vegetable pizza is another wonderfully simple appetizer—perfect for hosting or bringing to holiday gatherings. It’s a fun, bite-sized way to serve veggies and dip, and one of the only ways my kids will happily eat their vegetables. I usually cut the pizza into small squares so guests can easily grab a piece, the chopper below makes that very easy and the vegetable chopper (from my hummus recipe) from Amazon makes prepping everything incredibly easy.
Feel free to mix and match the vegetables to suit your taste or whatever you have on hand. It’s colorful, fresh, and always a crowd-pleaser.
Granny's Baked Clams
The recipe itself is wonderfully simple, but my grandmother treated it like she was bringing a high-end appetizer to the table. She always baked them in real shells—ones she collected from Rockaway Beach. When she passed, I was given her treasured box of shells. Over time, some were accidentally thrown away during gatherings, so I now use the tin shells. (Although I did hold onto a few of her originals.)
These are, without question, my favorite version of baked clams—even though I’m not much of a clam fan. The clams are chopped, then mixed with breadcrumbs (I always add more than the original recipe to help absorb the juices), and a generous amount of butter to boost the flavor. And of course, Granny’s magic touch: a light sprinkle of paprika on top. It was her way of “jazzing up” the dish, and she did it with pride.
Fall Favorites
Tomato Soup
This Tomato Soup (Ina Garten’s recipe) is my go-to whenever I want to feel cozy and cared for. It’s simple, creamy (thanks to a quick whirl with the immersion blender before adding the orzo), and full of comfort in every bite. If you’ve been to one of our Whiskey Nights, you’ve probably had this soup served with mini grilled cheese sandwiches skewered on top of little soup cups—pure yum! I love making it in a heavy Dutch oven (ssee link below to one of my favorites) for even cooking and rich flavor. Happy Fall!
Linda's Crumb Cake
This Crumb Cake—shared with me by my dear friend Linda—is hands down the most requested treat in my dessert file. It starts with a simple box of cake mix, then (true to Donna’s Doorstep) gets a little extra love to make it unforgettable. My family prefers it baked in a sheet pan (here’s the one I recommend below), though it also works beautifully in a thicker cake pan. One of the best parts: It freezes like a dream. I’ve wrapped the whole cake (pan and all - after it cooled) in many layers of plastic wrap, popped it in the freezer, and when defrosted, it tastes as fresh as the day it was baked. Pure crumbly, cozy goodness!
Dutch Oven Peach Cobbler
I’ll be honest—I didn’t even know what Peach Cobbler was until my sister-in-law brought it to a party… and wow, was it delicious! Warm, comforting, and surprisingly easy to make, this cobbler quickly became a family favorite. It’s heavenly topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream. The best part: You can bake and serve it right in the same Dutch oven (this one’s the perfect size, see link below)—easy prep, easy cleanup, and all the cozy vibes.
Summertime Favorites
Vegetable Salad with Hummus
Thanks, Ina, for this fantastic recipe! Its simplicity and fresh ingredients won me over—and I discovered I actually like hummus!
It’s perfect to prep ahead: just keep the veggies separate until serving. Best of all, it can sit out all day—great for a wine outing and especially festive at Christmas with the red and green veggies.
Recipe by Barefoot Contessa.
Tip: I've found the Tahini from Trader Joe's and Incredible Tahini are quite tasty. This veggie chopper made prep a breeze!
Besito's Guacamole
After trying the guacamole at Besito's Mexican Restaurant, I had to ask for the recipe—and to my surprise, they actually gave it to me! Over the years, we've made a few tweaks of our own. I like to add a bit more chopped tomatoes & red onion. We also adjust the flavors to suit the crowd we're serving.
It pairs perfectly with all kinds of tequila-based drinks, too. If you're interested in recipes for those, just let me know!
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Lemon Posset with Berries
Another gem from Ina! This dessert is incredibly delicious—like rich, creamy lemon ice cream. It’s surprisingly easy to make and can be served plain or topped with fresh berries.
The recipe typically yields about five ramekins, so plan accordingly if you're serving a group. A key tip: follow the instructions closely, especially when reducing the liquid to exactly 2 cups—it makes all the difference in texture.
Recipe courtesy of Barefoot Contessa.
Tip: Amazon has great, budget-friendly ramekin options!
Perfect Corn on the Cob
After trying too many methods (and goofing a few times), I finally found the simplest, most reliable way to make perfect corn on the cob—delicious every time. One less thing to figure out. Enjoy!
Tip: These tongs work well lifting the corn, I prefer the ones with rubber only on 1 side so when you need a better grip you can get it.
Boursin Prosciutto Phyllo Cups
Here’s a simple, no-bake appetizer that’s sure to impress your guests. Just mix the filling and spoon it into phyllo cups right before serving. I made this for a wine pairing event, and it checked all the boxes—simple, elegant, and delicious.
The smallest scoop below, from Amazon, makes filling these cups a breeze.
Strawberry Spinach Salad
Another summertime favorite: Strawberry Salad. I first made it for my daughter’s college friends during a visit, and they loved it so much they asked for the recipe—and made it all summer long. The ultimate test of a great recipe!
Tip: this strawberry huller is actually a handy tool to have as well.
