Pioneer Woman Home Sweet Home Dressed Up Food

ARTY HOLIDAY BREAD

Steps:

• Oil a quarter sheet pan with 1 tablespoon of the oil and stretch out the bread dough to the edges. Allow the dough to rest and rise for 15 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.
• Brush the surface of the bread with another tablespoon of the olive oil. Decorate the bread with the tomatoes, olives, sage and rosemary, pressing them into the bread. Brush on the remaining olive oil; this will make it shiny and stop the vegetables burning. Sprinkle on the salt and Parmesan.
• Bake until it is golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.

SMOKED SALMON BENEDICT

Steps:

• Preheat a grill pan over medium heat. Bring a large pot of water to a simmer.
• For the herby hollandaise: Add the egg yolks and lemon zest and juice to a blender and blend for about 10 seconds. With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the melted butter. Season with the salt and pepper. Transfer to a serving vessel and stir in the chives, parsley and dill.
• For the bread and asparagus: Toss the asparagus with 2 tablespoons of the melted butter and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Place on half of the grill pan and cook until charred, about 3 minutes. Brush the bread with the remaining melted butter and place on the other side of the grill pan. Grill the bread until nice grill marks form, about 1 minute per side. Set aside.
• For the eggs: To poach the eggs, begin by adding the vinegar to the large pot of simmering water. Gently crack the eggs into the water and leave them alone for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Remove the eggs with a slotted spoon and set aside on a paper lined plate so that any water is soaked up.
• To assemble, place a piece of bread on each of 4 plates and add a few slices of smoked salmon. Top with an egg, followed by some of the herby hollandaise. Serve with the grilled asparagus on the side and garnish with chives.

CREAMY MUSHROOM SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons butter in a pot over medium-high heat. When the butter has melted, add a third of the mushrooms to the pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until dark golden brown, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then remove them from the pot and reserve for serving.
• In the same pot, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Reduce the heat to medium and, when the butter has melted, add the rest of the mushrooms, along with the garlic, celery, thyme and onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the vegetables are soft, 5 to 6 minutes. Sprinkle the vegetables with the flour and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, then cook, stirring constantly, for 3 minutes, allowing the flour to cook.
• Slowly pour in the sherry, stirring all the time, then slowly add the stock. Keep stirring to reduce the likelihood of lumps. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced and thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Using an immersion blender, puree until the mushrooms are mostly broken up into small barley-sized bits. (NOTE: You may use a blender, though allow the soup to cool until warm before pureeing.) Add the cream and heat until the pot is simmering. Add the balsamic, then taste and adjust the seasonings.
• Serve warm in bowls with the reserved mushrooms on top. Garnish with parsley and crusty chunks of warm bread.