Local Kitchens: Holiday party, hostess ideas

Whether you are searching for the right touches for your holiday party or seeking the perfect hostess gift, these locally made goods will make a lasting impression.

By JESSIE GIRVIN

WINE

No party is complete without a bottle of wine. This year pick up a bottle of locally made wine from New Hampshire’s own LaBelle Winery. LaBelle Winery specializes in fruit wines, but don’t be deceived into thinking it’s just a bunch of sweet wine. LaBelle offers an exciting array of wines including an award-winning Jalapeno Pepper Wine.

For holiday gatherings try the Granite State Apple wine, described as “crisp, subtly sweet, fruity … a perfect complement to a cheese course.” Or for the perfect complement to your holiday meals, consider LaBelle’s Cranberry Wine.

LaBelle wines can be conveniently purchased at most NH State Liquor Stores and at retailers throughout the state. For a complete listing on where to buy, visit www.labellewinerynh.com.

CHEESE

To match your locally made wine, why not pick up a block of New Hampshire-made cheese. Boggy Meadow Farms of Walpole specializes in a delightful baby Swiss that they describe as “buttery, nutty, with a sweet flavor and firm texture.”

Or for something really unique, try the Fiddlehead Tomme, which is “a natural rind cheese, cave-aged for over six months, to create a rich semi-hard cheese.” Their products are available at select retailers throughout the state or from www.boggymeadowfarms.com.

If you’re going to have a nice cheese, than you better have a nice cutting board. For the perfect cheese board, look no farther than Knot Again of Kingston. The folks at Knot Again make a beautiful handmade cheese board with maple, cherry and black walnut, complete with cheese slicer for just $26.50. Their beautiful cutting boards range in price from $11.20 to $44.80. Visit them online at www.knot-again.com.

CHOCOLATE

Finally, for the chocoholic, check out Peterborough-based Ava Marie Chocolates for some mouthwatering treats. They offer a fun array of holiday specialties, ranging from a 6-inch chocolate Christmas tree (in dark or milk chocolate) for $8.50, to the extravagant large holiday gift basket filled with a decadent assortment of goodies. Visit their retail shop on Grove Street in Peterborough or shop online at www.avamariechocolates.com.

Jessie Girvin is a freelance writer who lives in Manchester.

In (holiday) season: Ethel's sugar cookies

The holiday season wouldn’t taste the same without Christmas cookies. This recipe is a family tradition, stretching back 50 years or more. While these delightful cookies do not fall in to the “low fat” category, they are definitely worth the extra calories. Ethel’s Sugar Cookies are a snap to make and will please any elf on your list. This recipe lends itself easily to different flavors. I prefer to use vanilla extract; however, you could just as easily substitute almond extract or lemon flavoring.

¼ cup unsalted butter
½ cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
(or ½ tsp. lemon flavoring)
2 ½ cups flour
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Mix shortening, sugar, eggs and flavoring thoroughly. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together. Add flour mixture to shortening mixture and mix until thoroughly blended. Cover and chill at least one hour (don’t skip this step).

With rolling pin, roll dough to 1/8-inch thick on lightly floured surface. Cut with 3-inch round cookie cutter, or the holiday shape of your choice. Place on ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, until cookies are a delicate golden color. Makes about 4 dozen cookies. – Jessie Girvin

– Jessie Girvin

Want to talk about What’s Cookin’ in your kitchen or around New Hampshire? E-mail Jessie at whatscookin@thenhmirror.com.