This is the time of year wherein everyone I know is traveling: between Thanksgiving and Christmas, it feels like my transplanted group of friends is in mass-migration mode, heading back to where we grew up to celebrate the holidays with our families before returning to Chicago to kick off a new year together.
Even though we celebrate with Friendsgivings and dinners crammed between long car rides and flights, I’m always sad to miss the holidays in Chicago. This year, I’m bringing the city of Chicago with me on my holiday trips the best way I know how: the food! I’m changing up a few holiday favorites to feature Chicago flavors.
Here’s what I’m cooking up:
Okay, maybe pizza isn’t on everyone’s holiday menu, but I’ll bet there’s a bunch of appetizers on the table. Bring Chicago-style deep dish pizza anywhere by making deep dish pizza bites: simply line muffin tins with a tiny bit of pizza dough, pre-bake for a few minutes, then add some cheese, sausage, and tomato sauce. Once those mini deep dish pizzas come out of the oven, you’ll feel at home in no time!
Pigs in a blanket are a family favorite for large gatherings, especially when there’s some waiting involved before the big meal—and so much football on to fill the time before we sit down at the table. This year, jazz those bites up with some yellow mustard, sport peppers, and giardiniera for a bite-sized Chicago style dog that’s so good, it might just make everyone forget who they’re rooting for. Just don’t put out any ketchup!
There’s nothing better during the holidays than fixing something early in the day that can cook slowly over time without needing a ton of your attention. Make a small batch of Italian beef in a slow cooker, then let it simmer all day until you’re ready for appetizers. While everyone is working to get dinner on the table, small bites of Chicago-stye Italian beef crostini will keep the rest of the crowd full and happy!
Would the holidays really be the holidays without the infamous combination of caramel popcorn with cheesy, cheddar-coated popcorn? Here in Chicago, we know how magical that combination can be, but it’s time we spread the word. This year, pack a tin of Garrett’s cheddar popcorn, then make popcorn balls with a twist. The caramel-flavor of the popcorn ball binding syrup will work just as well with the cheddar flavor and introduce your family to a new holiday favorite!
I love making truffles to give away as holiday favors to family and friends. This year, I’m bringing the Swedish holiday tradition of glogg with me by simply adding a few glugs of glogg to heavy cream. Then, when I pour the cream over the chocolate, the wintery flavor of the glogg is infused into the chocolate itself. Once I roll them in cocoa powder, the truffles are a sophisticated holiday gift infused with a bit of Chicago history!
If you need ideas for things to bring to your own holiday gatherings, we have a class for that! Join us for Hands-On Things to Bring: Delicious Side Dishes for Holiday Gatherings on Sunday, December 15 at 11am at Lincoln Square. You'll learn how to make, enjoy and become the best guest ever with: