Food and Beverage
Festive Recipes for Hosting an Inclusive Holiday Gathering
Memories made and recipes shared are the trademarks of a successful holiday gathering, and this year, you can host your way to a practically perfect party with delicious dishes that resonate with the flavors of the season.

(Family Features) Memories made and recipes shared are the trademarks of a successful holiday gathering, and this year, you can host your way to a practically perfect party with delicious dishes that resonate with the flavors of the season.
A family-favorite meal starts with a main course that looks and smells as good as it tastes. Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests deliver that festive flavor with a robust blend of breadcrumbs, earthy mushrooms and a homemade sauce crafted with Violife Just Like Cream Cheese. Developed to capture the taste of dairy cream cheese, it’s designed to be enjoyed by everyone at the table this holiday season as a non-GMO solution free from dairy, soy, nuts, gluten, preservatives and lactose.
Dishing out a dessert that boasts the colors of the season is a perfect way to cap off a gathering of friends and family. With pops of red and deliciously sweet flavor, Pomegranate Cheesecake is ideal for serving in individual tins so guests can delight in the creamy deliciousness together without the hassle of cutting and serving.
Festive Recipes
Visit ViolifeFoods.com to find more holiday-worthy recipes.

Creamy Mushroom Pasta Nests
Prep time: 30 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Marinade:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 1/2 ounces hoisin sauce
- 2 tablespoons sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon garlic chili paste
- 2 tablespoons black and white sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon harissa paste
Breadcrumbs:
- 1 tablespoon Violife Plant Butter
- 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon dried garlic
Pasta:
- 17 1/2 ounces mushrooms, roughly sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 10 1/2 ounces fresh spinach
- 1 package Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original
- 17 1/2 ounces whole-wheat spaghetti
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 3 1/2 ounces Violife Just Like Parmesan Wedge, grated
- To make marinade: Whisk olive oil, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, garlic chili paste, sesame seeds and harissa paste. Set aside.
- To make breadcrumbs: In frying pan, heat plant butter. Add breadcrumbs, rosemary and garlic; saute 3-5 minutes until golden. Remove from heat and set aside.
- To make pasta: Saute mushrooms in olive oil 5-7 minutes until golden. Add spinach, 2-3 minutes, and pour over marinade. Add cream cheese and whisk until creamy.
- Boil pasta according to package instructions. Sieve and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, adding to pasta sauce. Whisk constantly until combined.
- Using tongs, make small nests in pasta, place on plates and pour creamy mushroom sauce on top.
- Sprinkle with breadcrumbs, red pepper flakes and grated Parmesan.

Pomegranate Cheesecake
Prep time: 5 hours, 30 minutes
Servings: 6 individual cheesecakes
Crust:
- 10 1/2 ounces vegan gingerbread biscuits
- 6 ounces plant-based butter
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cheesecake:
- 0.07 ounces agar-agar
- 3 1/2 ounces canned coconut milk
- 2 packages Violife Just Like Cream Cheese Original
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
Pomegranate Syrup:
- 10 fluid ounces pomegranate juice, divided
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- pomegranate seeds, for garnish
- To make crust: In blender, blitz gingerbread biscuits until they form powder. Add butter and salt; blitz again until combined.
- Place in six individual greased tart tins and smooth over base with back of spoon. Refrigerate to set.
- To make cheesecake: In small pot over low heat, dissolve agar-agar in coconut milk, whisking constantly. Once boiling, remove from heat and set aside.
- In large bowl, mix cream cheese, maple syrup, lemon juice and vanilla essence; slowly pour over warm coconut milk, whisking until combined and creamy. Divide evenly among tart tins and refrigerate 4 hours.
- To make pomegranate syrup: In small bowl, combine 3 fluid ounces pomegranate juice with cornstarch. In small pot, boil remaining pomegranate juice 5 minutes. Pour in cornstarch and pomegranate mixture; whisk 5 minutes until syrup forms. Cool.
- When cheesecakes have set, remove from tins and serve on plates. Pour pomegranate syrup on top and garnish with pomegranate seeds.
SOURCE:
Violife
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
https://stmdailynews.com/category/food-and-beverage
You can also find food and beverage-related videos on our YouTube channel, where we regularly post new content and share tips, recipes, and demonstrations. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEhXBupt8tVynuUhpQZMxQt4lvPmOiAtQ&si=InDwc7YaB0KIwmxy
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recipes
Serve Simple Deliciousness at Your Next Get-Together

Serve Simple Deliciousness at Your Next Get-Together
(Family Features) If a versatile, easy and economical recipe is just what you need for game day, get-togethers or stress-free evenings at home, these Mini Beef Wellingtons are perfect for you. Enjoy them as a meal with favorite sides or serve as an appetizer the next time you play host.
Visit Culinary.net to find more appetizers, meals, snacks and sides for any occasion.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Mini Beef Wellingtons
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Mushroom Sauce:
- 1 can (14 ounces) mushrooms
- 1 1/2 cups chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces beef tenderloin steaks, cubed
- 1 package (17 ounces, 2 sheets) puff pastry
- water
- garlic and herb spreadable cheese
- 1 package (2 1/2 ounces) real bacon pieces
- mashed potatoes, for serving
- To make mushroom sauce: In blender, blend mushrooms and chicken broth; set aside.
- In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and mix in flour. Slowly add mushroom broth while stirring. It should start to thicken; if it doesn’t, add 1 tablespoon flour and stir well.
- Add garlic powder and salt and pepper, to taste. Mix in heavy cream while continuing to stir. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Heat oven to 400 F.
- Cube steaks and place in bowl then cover and mix well with 1 cup mushroom sauce.
- Cut each puff pastry into six squares for 12 total. Use water to moisten each corner of squares and bring them together, forming small box shape. Place 1 heaping tablespoon meat mixture into each pastry square.
- Place squares on parchment paper-covered cookie sheets and bake 15 minutes.
- Spoon spreadable cheese over hot squares and top with bacon pieces.
- Serve with mashed potatoes and use leftover mushroom sauce as gravy.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net
At our core, we at STM Daily News, strive to keep you informed and inspired with the freshest content on all things food and beverage. From mouthwatering recipes to intriguing articles, we’re here to satisfy your appetite for culinary knowledge.
Visit our Food & Drink section to get the latest on Foodie News and recipes, offering a delightful blend of culinary inspiration and gastronomic trends to elevate your dining experience.
Discover more from Daily News
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
recipes
A Simple, Savory Taco Solution
Savory Street Tacos, made using a slow cooker, simplify taco night by featuring a chuck roast seasoned with taco seasoning and served with tortillas, cheese, salsa, guacamole, and queso for a delicious family meal.

A Simple, Savory Taco Solution
(Family Features)Skip the hot skillet and let your slow cooker do the work for your next taco night. These Savory Street Tacos provide all the delicious flavor you crave without the hassle. Discover more ways to simplify family dinners at Culinary.net.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Savory Street Tacos
Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy ”
Servings: 4-6
- 1 chuck roast (2-3 pounds)
- 1 package taco seasoning
- 1 can (10 ounces) beef consomme
- 16-20 street taco tortillas
- 1 package (8 ounces) shredded cheese
- 1/4 cup avocado oil
- salsa, for serving
- guacamole, for serving
- queso, for serving
- Cover chuck roast with taco seasoning then place in slow cooker. Pour beef consommé over roast and cook on low 6 hours to braise.
- Heat oven to 425 F.
- Use fork to shred roast.
- Brush outside of tortillas with avocado oil and fill with meat and shredded cheese. Place in casserole dish and bake 10-15 minutes until tacos reach desired crispiness.
- Place on tray and serve with salsa, guacamole and queso.
Tip: Recipe can be doubled for large crowds.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net
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Food and Beverage
Bring the Family Together with Baked Breakfast Pizzas

Bring the Family Together with Baked Breakfast Pizzas
(Family Features) If you feel like it’s a struggle to get the entire family together for a meal, it might be time to put fun back on the menu. A little creativity and a few favorite ingredients are all it takes to bring back family mealtime and spend precious moments at the table.
These Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas are a perfect way to start a weekend morning, offering a delicious invitation to loved ones to join you in the kitchen. Equal parts sweet, savory and nutritious, you can enjoy seeing smiles on their faces while feeling good about what you’re serving them.
Providing just the right touch of sweetness are North Carolina Sweetpotatoes, one of the most versatile vegetables in the produce department. They’re easy to add to a variety of recipes – even breakfast pizza – to enhance flavor and nutrition. Try them on the stove, baked, microwaved, grilled, slow-cooked or air-fried for quick and easy options that are a breeze in the kitchen.
Spelled as one word to avoid confusion with the white potato (a distinctly different species), sweetpotatoes are rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber, all of which are good for overall health and may help prevent disease. In fact, they’re even considered a “diabetes superfood” by the American Diabetes Association. As a natural sweetener, they give recipes that sweet flavor you crave without the added sugar.
Whether they become your favorite oft-used ingredient or you stock up on the abundant veggie, sweetpotatoes also boast a long shelf-life – up to 4 weeks if stored properly in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from heat sources – meaning you can buy in bulk without worrying about waste.
Find more ways to cook with sweetpotatoes by visiting ncsweetpotatoes.com.
Watch video to see how to make this recipe!

Individual Sweetpotato Breakfast Pizzas
Recipe courtesy of the North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
Servings: 4
- 4 medium North Carolina sweetpotatoes (about 2 pounds), divided
- 1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon, olive oil, divided
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon paprika
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- kosher salt, to taste
- freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- all-purpose flour, for rolling out dough
- 1 pound whole-wheat pizza dough at room temperature, divided into four equal portions (4 ounces each)
- 1 cup freshly shredded Gouda cheese
- 4 large eggs
- 1/4 cup diced chives
- Preheat oven to 400 F. Place 1 pound sweetpotatoes directly on rack and bake until soft, about 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool 5-10 minutes. Peel and puree flesh until smooth; reserve 1 cup.
- Increase oven heat to 450 F. Peel remaining sweetpotatoes and dice into 1/2-inch pieces. Toss 2 cups diced sweetpotatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, cayenne and salt and pepper, to taste; place in even layer on baking sheet. Roast until softened but not crisp, 15-20 minutes, stirring halfway. Remove from oven.
- Lightly flour clean, flat work surface. Roll each ball of dough out to about 1/4-inch thickness (about 7 inches diameter).
- With remaining oil, lightly coat rimless baking sheet. Transfer rolled out dough to baking sheet.
- Spread pureed sweetpotato over surface of each dough round, about 1/4 cup each, leaving about 1/2-inch border. Top each with 1/4 cup shredded Gouda. Add 1/2 cup roasted sweetpotato cubes, leaving open space in center of pizzas.
- Carefully crack one egg into center of each pizza; bake 15 minutes until crusts are golden brown on bottom, cheese is melted and egg whites are fully set. Carefully remove pizzas from oven.
- Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Top each pizza with 1 tablespoon diced chives.
SOURCE:
North Carolina Sweetpotato Commission
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