Festive Holiday Ideas for Gatherings

AARP invites you to a festive Brunch, Lunch, and Munch session with Bea and Vernita celebrating November’s focus on family gatherings and holiday traditions. This warm and inviting demo features creamy mushroom herb soup perfect for cold days, crisp stuffed wontons, bright and refreshing holiday punch, and flavorful cranberry chicken. Learn simple and delicious recipes that elevate seasonal gatherings and make entertaining easy and enjoyable.

Ingredients:

Family Get Togethers and Celebrations

Prepared by Bea

Recipe: Creamy Mushroom Herb Soup

Ingredients

· 4 Tbsp unsalted butter

· medium onion, finely chopped

· 1 lb cremini mushrooms, sliced (or baby bella/portobello)

· Tbsp all-purpose flour

· 1 Tbsp paprika (Hungarian or sweet)

· 2 cups chicken broth

· 1 cup milk

· 1 Tbsp tamari (or low-sodium soy sauce)

· 1/2 cup of sour cream

· 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice

· 1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

· 2 Tbsp fresh dill, chopped

· 1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

· Fine salt, black pepper, and a pinch of ground chili pepper, to taste

Recipe: Stuffed Wontons

Ingredients

 · 1 Pound Ground Pork

· 1/2 Cup Green Scallions

· 2 TBSP Minced Ginger

· 4 Cloves Garlic

· 1 TBSP Soy Sauce

· 1 TBSP Rice Vinegar

· 1 TBSP Cornstarch

· 2 tsp Sesame Oil

· 1/2 tsp Sugar or Other Sweetener Equivalent

· 1 tsp Salt- 

· 48 Wonton Wrappers

Prepared by Vernita

Recipe: Holiday Punch

Ingredients

· 2 cups cran-apple juice

· 2 cups cran-pineapple

· 2 cups sprite or ginger ale

· 2 cups of alcohol of choice (optional)

· 1 green apple, sliced and frozen

·  1 navel orange, sliced and frozen 

· 1 cup cranberries, frozen

· Rosemary sprigs

· 2 tablespoons sugar

· 2 tablespoons simple syrup. 

Prepared by Vernita

Recipe: Cranberry Chicken

Ingredients

 · 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

· 2 tablespoons of olive oil 

· 1 teaspoon salt 

· ½ teaspoon black pepper 

· 1 teaspoon of paprika 

· 1 teaspoon dried thyme

· 1 teaspoon garlic powder

· 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen)

· 1/3 cup honey

· ¼ cup chicken broth

· 1tablespoon balsamic vinegar

· 2 cloves garlic, minced

· 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped

· ½ cup ricotta cheese

· 1/3 cup pecan, toasted

· Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)