Most wonderful time of the year

These dark-chocolate desserts are even more delicious topped with fresh peppermint whipped cream. See the recipe.

Cooking Buzz is produced in partnership with the Junior League of Houston, a women’s charitable and education organization founded in 1925.

I must admit that I am a bit of a Christmas junkie. I love everything about the holiday – the sights, the sounds, the smells, and who doesn’t love presents? Since I was a little girl, listening to my mom’s Johnny Mathis and Andy Williams Christmas albums, baking cookies and wrapping presents, I have loved Christmas.

I love the real Christmas story and the candlelight Christmas Eve service. And I also love the not-so-spiritual side of Christmas – trees, stockings and jingle bells. But mostly I love that the season brings family and friends together, usually over a special meal.

I grew up in California, celebrating Christmas Eve with my mom’s side of the family, and that meant a traditional Italian meal – dish after dish, brought out from the kitchen by my grandma until I could not possibly eat another bite. I loved those evenings around her table with my parents, siblings, aunts, uncles and cousins. Even though my grandma is no longer with us, my family still tries to recreate those special meals over the holidays, while also creating new traditions with our “adopted” family here in Houston.

Entertaining over the holidays can seem stressful, but if you break it down into smaller (bite-size) pieces, it can be easy. First, I take my time decorating our home. I look forward to starting on Thanksgiving weekend and stretch it out over a few weekends, doing a little bit every day. I set the table with holiday china and décor for the entire month of December. It has this amazing way of warming up our home.

Then, as I plan the meal, I look for recipes that can be prepared in advance or that require minimal preparation time while my guests are here. I want to be able to spend time with my guests, not in my kitchen! I focus on a few simple dishes that may seem “fancy” but are relatively easy to prepare.

I like to start off with the Field Greens, Crumbled Blue Cheese & Spicy Pecan Salad from the Junior League of Houston’s Stop and Smell the Rosemary cookbook. This salad has become a go-to salad for me – it looks beautiful, is easy to put together ahead of time, and everyone loves it.

For the main course, I have come to rely on Beef Tenderloin with Gorgonzola Sauce from the League’s most recent cookbook, Peace Meals. The key to this recipe is to make the sauce ahead of time. It takes quite a bit of tending, and you don’t want to be stuck at the stove while your guests are hoping to spend time with you.

Since moving to Texas, I have learned that grits are a great companion to beef tenderloin. I love the Grits Casserole in Houston Junior League. Again, this is a very easy make-ahead recipe that you pop in the oven when your guests arrive, so it will be ready to serve when it is time to sit down.

One of my favorite, festive holiday desserts is Chocolate Pots du Crème from Peace Meals. Be sure to crumble peppermints on top of each cup to give a special holiday flavor. And, of course, a hot toddy to go with this very chocolaty dessert is the perfect end to a special meal. Try Holiday Coffee, again from Peace Meals. It is a great accompaniment to the pots du crème.

If you like to have your guests leave with a little treat, the Spicy Roasted Cashews from Peace Meals make a perfect take-home treat.

Editor’s note:To buy a cookbook, see www.jlh.org or call 713-871-6608.