Olson - Set for the holidays with Anna Olson: recipes to bring comfort and joy

hen does your holiday season begin? Mine starts with the first pumpkin pie I bake. I dont bake a pumpkin pie on a regular Tuesday night when its just Michael and me at home, so the aroma of pumpkin and cinnamon drifting through the house means the weather is crisp and cool and we have guests coming over.

I look forward to Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years with the same eagerness and excitement as I did when I was a child, but my focus has changed from receiving gifts to giving them. And these days that means making the extra effort to connect with friends and family in a way that is different than at any other time of the year.

When we host at holiday time, I take extra care when planning the menu, decorating the table (and the house) and thinking about what will please our guests the most. But what really brings sparkle to the holidays is the authentic joy that arises when everyone is relaxed and enjoying each others company over good food and good conversation. And isnt that the spirit of the holiday season?

In this book, Im sharing my joy with youand since my joy is expressed through what comes from my kitchen, it is the recipes along with the helpful hints, stories and good memories that help my holiday season sparkle. You cant have sparkle if you have stress, so Ive provided lots of tips for planning and making things ahead, ensuring that your food is delicious and beautifully presented, and that you can focus on being with your guests.

Part one of the book is organized by occasion, with menus included for almost every event during the festive season. With holiday entertaining, I tend to book the date and confirm the guests first, then plan the menu. The occasion dictates the shape of that menu (be it a cozy dinner with friends, or a big family feast, or an open house, or something in between), so instead of sending you willy-nilly through the book to piece a meal together from the different chapters, I have neatly organized each chapter by the occasion itself. There are also recipes for the in-between moments when you need a break from the feasting and the frenzy, as well as new ideas for how to reinvent your leftovers.

Naturally, a great deal of this book also covers holiday baking. No wonder I love this time of year! In part two there are recipes for cookies and cakes, of course, but also for breads, savoury bakes, chocolates and confections, and gifts from the kitchen. Homemade gifts show thought and commitmentand many of these recipes are perfect for making in large batches to share with family and friends.

Throughout the book, youll see a few different symbols to help you quickly spot key features of a recipe. Those that are particularly giftable have this icon; and those recipes that are Vegetarian , Vegan and Gluten-free are also noted, so you can plan inclusive dishes and meals for everyone you love this holiday season.

My true holiday wish for you is to find your sparkle. If mistakes happen, just move on, knowing that your friends and family will forgive you. Find joy in the kitchen, express your love through the dishes you make and have a delicious festive season!