Entertaining Eats : A Chic & Simple Sundae

I don't know about you, but the holidays always seem to instill in me a sense of carte blanche when it comes to consuming copious amounts of sweets without worry for the aftermath (also known as the extra poundage sure to be tacked onto my frame come December 31). "The happiest time of the year" means calories don't count, right? Right. (That's what New Year resolutions are for.)

Well, I have one more recipe to add to your holiday must-eat list. It's not a holiday dessert per se, but it has booze, nuts and fresh whipped cream and that all screams holiday to me. Even better? It's super fast and easy to put together but the taste and presentation is impressive. The perfect thing to serve when entertaining company. This dish takes care of the requisite end-of-meal coffee service, too!

So what is this amazing dessert? A Hazelnut Affogato Sundae.

The recipe is from the cookbook "5 Ingredient Fix: Easy, Elegant, and Irresistible Recipes" by Claire Robinson, host of the eponymous Food Network show 5 Ingredient Fix (as well as various iterations of Food Network Challenge).

What I love about Claire's show and cookbook is that all the recipes are prepared with five ingredients or fewer, which doesn't just make for simple cooking but it also lets those ingredients shine. What attracted me to the Hazelnut Affogato Sundae was the nuts (and, related, the nutty liqueur). Hazelnuts are my favorite kind, without question, and I absolutely have an unhealthy addiction to Nutella. But my first encounter with hazelnuts was not within a decadent chocolate spread but actually during the holidays. At Thanksgiving and Christmastime, my mom always puts out a bowl of mixed nuts, still in their shells, for cracking and snacking. Hazelnuts are not the easiest to crack, for sure—almonds for the win—but if I could successfully manage to get a nut out whole I was rewarded with the most delightful little bite.

I'm not usually a fan of coffee-laced ice creams, but the combination of crunchy hazelnuts and freshly whipped unsweetened cream really round out the espresso flavor that on its own may otherwise be too strong. (The recipe also calls for amaretti cookies, but I got by just fine without them if you can't find any.) I take my morning cup with a generous splash of creamer and that's just how I like this sundae—with an extra helping of whipped cream.

Of course, this sundae is a play on a traditional affogato. A true affogato is when a shot of hot espresso is poured over very cold ice cream—and then eaten immediately! You can definitely turn this twist on an affogato into the real deal if you have an espresso maker.

Hazelnut Affogato Sundae

Recipe from 5 Ingredient Fix | Serves 4

Ingredients

1 pint heavy whipping cream

1 1/2 tbsp. Frangelico

1 pint espresso gelato (I used Ciao Bella's Caffè Macchiato gelato)

1/4 cup blanched hazelnuts, toasted

2 amaretti cookies (Claire suggests Lazzaroni cookies)

Directions

With a whisk or handheld mixer, whip the cream in a bowl until very thick but still liquid; while whisking constantly, add the Frangelico and whip until soft peaks form. (At this point I placed the whipped cream in the fridge, covered, to keep it nice and cold while I roughly chopped the hazelnuts. The skins are easy to remove after the nuts are toasted; just rub with your fingers or a nubby towel. But it was late in the evening and I just wanted my dessert, so I kept the skins on. Never fear, despite my laziness it was still delicious!)

To serve, place 2 scoops gelato into each of four dessert bowls. Sprinkle a tablespoon of hazelnuts over the gelato and top with a healthy dollop of flavored whipped cream. Rub 1/2 an amaretti cookie along a fine grater over the whipped cream to garnish. Serve immediately.

If you make this sundae, be sure to let me know what you think in the comments. Also, do you have any quick and easy entertaining recipes you turn to during the holidays? I'd love to hear!

(Cookbook image via Hachette Book Group)

Wedding Wednesdays : Dreamy but Practical Registry

When creating G and I's wedding registry, I did my best to choose practical, needed items but, of course, I ended up getting distracted by all the pretty things, especially in the kitchen and dining categories. Colorful bowls, plates and glassware. Countless appetizer trays in varying sizes perfect for hosting a cocktail party, even though they don't all necessarily match. Basically, beautiful stuff that we love but don't use vary often.

That's not to say we didn't ask for and receive some functional items. But Thanksgiving showed me that there are some cooking and entertaining basics we are still very much in need of, especially when we actually do host a holiday dinner for more than just the two of us.

So I did a bit of internet window shopping and put together this "dream registry" of real world items that every couple should put on their wish list.

Sturdy nonstick roasting pan and rack, with turkey lifters for cooking holiday birds and gravy, Sunday roasts and even weeknight veggies // Large baking dish with tight-fitting lid that can go from the fridge to the oven to the table beautifully

Simple white platters and serving bowls (not pictured) that go with everything and make food look good // White pitcher with subtle details and enough bling to make it feel special // Wooden trivet to protect surfaces from piping-hot dishes (a wire one would be handy too, and serve as a cooling rack) // Chic oversized serving set for family-style meals // A classic, go-with-everything butter dish, since even butter needs a place at the table // Small spouted serving bowl and gravy boat for sauces of all kinds

Pie dishes, white and ruffled or colorful and sweet, making your dessert look good even if you mess up the crust (or buy it pre-made) //  Rolling pin, for when you do want to try your hand at making the crust from scratch // A brownie dish that would work equally as well for making cobblers, bars and small cakes or cornbread  // Pastry brush for slathering baked goods with egg washes and glazes, or savories with butter and sauce // Pie and cake servers that make getting that first piece out a little easier (and look a lot prettier), in satin-finished or gilded stainless steel (matching cake knife not pictured)

Because every registry needs a splurge or two, a fancy carving set and matching serving duo

Married and engaged couples out there, I'd love to hear: What did you put on your registry?


(Top image via one of my favorite stores, Crate & Barrel)