Granite is an excellent surface to prepare holiday delights. Since it is a resilient material you can chop all your vegetables, fruits, nuts etc. directly on the surface. This saves time with both preparation and cleaning!
Must Try Recipes for Granite Counters
Cheese fondue:
Recipe Here
Recipe courtesy of Tyler Florence
Photo courtesy of Food Network
Total:25 min
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Yield: 4 to 6 servings
Level: Easy
Ingredients
1/2 pound imported Swiss cheese, shredded
1/2 pound Gruyere cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 garlic clove, peeled
1 cup dry white wine
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon cherry brandy, such as kirsch
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
Pinch nutmeg
Assorted dippers
Directions
In a small bowl, coat the cheeses with cornstarch and set aside. Rub the inside of the ceramic fondue pot with the garlic, then discard.
Over medium heat, add the wine and lemon juice and bring to a gentle simmer. Gradually stir the cheese into the simmering liquid. Melting the cheese gradually encourages a smooth fondue. Once smooth, stir in cherry brandy, mustard and nutmeg.
Arrange an assortment of bite-sized dipping foods on a lazy Susan around fondue pot. Serve with chunks of French and pumpernickel breads. Some other suggestions are Granny Smith apples and blanched vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, carrots and asparagus. Spear with fondue forks or wooden skewers, dip, swirl and enjoy!
Watercress Citrus Salad with Pomegranate-Poppy Seed Dressing:
Recipe Here
Recipe courtesy of Bobby Flay
Photo Courtesy of David Malosh
Total: 20 min
Active: 20 min
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Level: Easy
Ingredients
1/4 cup pomegranate juice
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon clover honey
1/2 teaspoon finely grated lime zest
1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon poppy seeds
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup canola oil
2 navel oranges, segmented, juices caught over a bowl
1 red grapefruit, segmented, juices caught over a bowl
1 pound jicama, peeled and cut into matchsticks
2 bunches watercress, stems discarded and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup pomegranate seeds
Directions
Whisk together the pomegranate juice, vinegar, mustard, honey, lime and orange zest and poppy seeds in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the oil until emulsified.
Put the citrus in a bowl; add the jicama and watercress. Add a few tablespoons of the reserved citrus juices and some of the pomegranate dressing, season with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Transfer to a platter and garnish with the pomegranate seeds.
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes:
Recipe Here
Recipe courtesy of Ina Garten
Photo courtesy of Food Network
Total:45 min
Prep: 15 min
Cook: 30 min
Yield: 8 servings
Level: Easy
Ingredients
3 pounds baby Yukon Gold potatoes
1/3 cup olive oil
4 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh rosemary (divided)
Directions
Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
Slice the bottom off each potato and cut crosswise at 1/8-inch intervals, cutting to within 1/4 inch of the bottom. (You can place the potato on a large spoon so the edges of the spoon prevent you from slicing completely through the potato.)
Place the potatoes in a large bowl, add the olive oil, salt and pepper and 1 tablespoon of the rosemary and toss well, working the salt mixture in between the slices. Arrange the potatoes on a sheet pan cut side up.
Bake the potatoes for 30 minutes, until they are tender and golden and crisp on top. Sprinkle with remaining rosemary and serve.
Whole Roasted Fish With Sliced Potatoes, Olives and Herbs:
Recipe Here
Recipe Courtesy of Anne Burrell
Photo Courtesy of David Malosh and Food Network
Ingredients
3 or 4 large Yukon gold potatoes, sliced 1/8 inch thick (a mandoline works well here)
6 cloves garlic (4 smashed and finely chopped; 2 just smashed)
1 bunch fresh oregano (half with leaves finely chopped; half as whole sprigs)
1/2 cup pitted gaeta or kalamata olives, slivered
Pinch of crushed red pepper
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1 3-pound fish (such as a snapper or bass), scaled, gutted and gills removed
1 lemon, sliced
3 fresh bay leaves
1/2 bunch fresh Italian parsley
1 cup dry white wine
Directions
Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
In a large bowl, toss the potatoes, chopped garlic, chopped oregano, olives and red pepper; drizzle generously with olive oil and season with salt. Arrange the potatoes and friends in the bottom of a baking dish large enough to accommodate the fish. Roast in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove and reserve.
Make 3 diagonal slices about 1/2 inch deep on each side of the fish. Season the outside and inside with olive oil and salt. Place the lemon slices, bay leaves, whole oregano sprigs, parsley and the remaining smashed garlic inside the body cavity of the fish.
Pour the wine over the potatoes, lay the fish on top and toss the whole thing in the oven for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the eyeballs pop out.
Remove the skin and bones and serve the fish over the potatoes.