Holiday Archives - Nerds with Knives

Classic Deviled Eggs

June 13, 2022June 13, 2022 by Emily

No longer just the darling of 1970s dinner parties, deviled eggs are a delightful addition to any gathering. And they’re a cinch to whip up! Our version has tender whites, and a creamy, almost whipped center bursting with flavor.

Our Favorite Egg Recipes for Easter

March 29, 2021March 26, 2021 by Matt

Every Easter we’re required to rifle through our egg recipes and find yummy egg recipes for those of you for whom just dipping eggs in food coloring isn’t quite enough of a challenge.

Bailey’s Cookies and Cream Parfaits

April 25, 2021March 7, 2021 by Emily

Back in the early days of our relationship, I may have poked some good-natured fun at Matt for being what I would call a “Prom Drinker”. A prom drinker, for those of you who don’t know, is someone who would walk up to a sophisticated bar and ask for a Malibu Sunset, a Midori Sour, or, God forbid, a Mudslide. Matt was nowhere near that embarrassing, but the first time he ordered a Bailey’s on the rocks, I pinched his cheek and called him adorable. And then I tasted it and was like, hot damn, that’s really good.

Bailey’s Irish Cream was invented in 1971, so it can’t really be classified as “classic Irish drink”, but it’s no less delicious for it. It’s rich and creamy, with a whisky bite tempered to a dessert-like sweetness. An indulgence all by itself. So why not use it as the inspiration for a St. Patrick’s Day dessert: Bailey’s parfaits?

Clover Club Cocktail

April 27, 2021February 10, 2021 by Emily

The Clover Club: Dry gin, fresh raspberry syrup, tart lemon juice, and a splash of vermouth.

Yes, this pink, frothy cocktail is perfect for a romantic Valentine’s celebration but don’t let its good looks fool you, the Clover Club is a serious drink. And one originally imbibed exclusively by men – specifically the literary, legal, and financial men who, from 1882 until the 1920’s, met once a month in Philadelphia. The drink, named after their gentlemen’s club, was published in the New York Press in 1901. It called for gin, lemon juice, sugar, raspberry syrup, and egg white. Fast forward to modern times, and it’s also the name of a gorgeous cocktail bar in our old Brooklyn neighborhood. This new Clover Club, the bar, is where we first sampled Clover Club, the drink.

Dumpling-Flavored Sausage Rolls

April 25, 2021January 27, 2021 by Emily

Here’s the story behind these dumpling-flavored sausage rolls. We had friends over at Christmas, and while serving up a plate of pigs-in-a-blanket, my friend pointed to them and said “Hey, what do you British call those? Isn’t there a crazy, funny name you have for those?” I was momentarily nonplussed as, a) we usually DO have a crazy, funny name for things, but b) I had no idea what else we might call them, having been out of the country, and therefore the loop, for about twenty years. (“Her Majesty’s Tiniest Corgis”? “Cheeky Blinders”? Answers on a postcard, please.)

A brief research session reminded me that Brits traditionally reserve the term “pigs in blankets” for small, un-cased sausages (which we call chipolatas) wrapped in bacon, not puff pastry, and that they’re a Christmas staple. (I then asked both my siblings to confirm this and they went straight for the sausage-in-pastry option instead, which, honestly, helps NOBODY.)

But while this post is about sausages in puff pastry, we’re not making pigs in blankets. We’re making sausage rolls. And we’re making them dumpling-flavored – seasoned with ginger, garlic, scallions and chili. Buckle up!

Holiday Recipe Roundup 2019

May 7, 2020December 21, 2019 by Emily

Christmas with Egg Nog — Real Homemade Eggnog

The holiday season wouldn’t be the same without homemade eggnog, gooey baked brie, perfectly crisp and juicy roast pork, and many more of our favorite celebratory dishes we’ve collected in this Christmas / New Year recipe roundup!

Seasonal greetings, Nerdlings!

We’re spinning around the kitchen like wild dervishes making Christmas cookies and a million pounds of toffee (and other Christmas and New Year snacks), but we just had a few minutes’ break to put together a round-up of some of our favorite holiday treats for you. From how to make the perfect Cheese and Charcuterie Board to what to make for breakfast the day after your New Year’s Eve party!

These are our festive picks for all winter gatherings, including drink suggestions, appetizers, entrees, desserts and sweet treats, and some party snacks that will serve you for any festive shindig!

We wish you the happiest of winter holidays and the very merriest of New Years, and we’ll see you in 2020!

Love, Emily, Matt and Arya