Cooking with Paula Deen Christmas 2018

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! From decking the halls and catching up with dear friends to whipping up scrumptious meals for my family, this truly is the most wonderful time of the year. Every year, I look forward to putting up all my Christmas décor and filling my home with cheer. I start by decorating my front door and adding a pretty wreath to the entrance so that the first thing folks see when they visit makes them feel welcome. When it comes to the inside of my house, I like to go all out with beautiful table settings to complement the delicious food we’ll enjoy, and I’m sharing a bunch of ideas to help you create your own Christmas magic. After the house is all dressed up, I…

Set a comfortable and rustic table using burlap, touches of plaid, and natural evergreen clippings, enhanced by the glow of candlelight. How To The plaid runner over the burlap tablecloth is simply inexpensive fabric cut to the length of the table. The edges are left unfinished to keep the look casual. To make the centerpiece, start with a shallow wooden box or crate, and add silver candlesticks of varying sizes. Fill in with magnolia branches and sprigs of cedar. A: Wood slice chargers add an earthy feel to each place setting and complement the informal dinnerware. B: Wrap larger candles with a wide strip of burlap using straight pins to secure. Follow with a narrow strip of coordinating plaid fabric. C: Nestle pomegranates and faux feathers among evergreen branches.…

Paula’s favorite color palette for holiday tablescapes is the timeless yet sophisticated combination of silver and white paired with soft greens and evergreen trimmings from her yard. How To Throughout the holidays, Paula’s family heirloom silver makes its way to her tables and buffets along with silver vessels filled with white roses, magnolia leaves, spruce and boxwood clippings, and holly from her gardens. It’s such a beautiful backdrop for the many meals she stages for family and friends. A: Place markers crafted from simple white gift tags are tied to the folded napkin pockets using thin velvet ribbon accented with a small ornament and a sprig of boxwood. B: Mercury glass ornaments become small vases by removing the hook and cap on top and hot-gluing a small metal keychain ring on the bottom to…

Adorn your doors and windows with beautiful wreaths of fresh greenery, bold bows, and whimsical creations made from items around your home. These merry and bright decorations will fill your house with the spirit of the season. Natural Elements A: Paula created this large wreath using assorted natural mosses that she collected on a trip to Lake Oconee, Georgia. B: The clean look of this wreath is achieved by combining various shades of green and the textures of the leaves, grass, flowers, and ribbon. C: The wreath on the mirror is the focal point of the room. It’s made from magnolia, cedar, and holly inserted into a water-absorbing floral foam. Craft Your Own A: For this peppermint candy wreath, wrap a white Styrofoam wreath form with ribbon to fully cover. Hot-glue unwrapped peppermint candies to the…

These brown paper packages tied up with string are sure to be some of your favorite things. Display them under your tree, on your tables, and all around your home as your nearest and dearest anticipate the excitement of Christmas morning and the gift of giving. How To A: Combine several different ribbons of your choice to make a bow around a present. Place peppermint candy canes or lollipops under the ribbons for a fun, edible gift tie-on. B: Tie packages with yarn. Cut Christmas cards in half, and use glue dots to attach the decorative portion of the cards to gifts. Save Christmas cards each year from family and friends to embellish your holiday packages. C: Use a sprig of dusty miller, fresh rosemary, or a small cluster of hypericum berries. Dress up…

Late fall is the perfect time to gather with loved ones and whip up the traditional, tried-and-true dishes you look forward to the rest of the year. These classic foods are what make Southern holidays so special, and your family will ask for them time and time again. Menu Herb-Roasted Turkey with Giblet Gravy Cornbread Dressing Green Bean Casserole Creamed Collard Greens Sweet Potato Casserole Cranberry Congealed Salad Pumpkin Pecan Cake Roll (page 71) HERB-ROASTED TURKEY WITH GIBLET GRAVY Makes 8 servings The fresh, herby flavor of this impressive bird will make your holiday meal memorable. 1 (14-pound) fresh or thawed frozen turkey, neck and giblets reserved1 cup butter, softened2 cloves garlic, minced2 tablespoons chopped fresh sage1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme2 teaspoons kosher salt2 teaspoons lemon zest1 teaspoon ground black pepper2 lemons, halved Giblet Gravy (recipe follows)Garnish: fresh sage,…