Best of Bridge Holiday Classics: 225 Recipes for Special Occasions

Because of an overwhelming interest, Best of Bridge has compiled a definitive collection of favorite holiday recipes from the ladies of Bridge. Included are also some new recipes that are sure to become instant holiday classics.


What makes this collection extra-special are the two chapters devoted to Leftovers and Food Gifts. The only problem with holiday repasts is that you’re likely to have leftovers. This chapter includes incredible recipes for transforming unused food into a second delicious meal. And nothing says "happy holidays" more than a gift made from scratch. From homemade toffee to seasoned nuts to preserves, you’ll discover a cache of gift-giving ideas.

In 1975, at a weekend getaway, eight women friends had an idea: Since a consistent highlight of their decade-old bridge group was the food they prepared and enjoyed together perhaps they should think about writing a cookbook. This spur-of-the-moment notion was the impetus for The Best of Bridge, which went on the become one of the most successful brands in Canadian publishing.

MY THOUGHTS: This recipe book is a must-have for those who enjoy making holiday meals at home or a holiday potluck with friends and family. It has some of everyone's favorites that surely will be perfect for holiday entertaining.

There are so many delicious recipes I want to try. Here's one of my favorite one that I am able to share with all of my readers from this recipe book:

Christmas Marmalade

(Makes about ten 8oz/250ml jars)

With my canning experience I learned recently with Bernardin, I find this is very simple to make. Also perfect for gift-giving.

INGREDIENTS:

3 medium oranges

2 lemons

1-1/2 cups cold water

1 bottle (6oz/170mL) preserved ginger

6 cups granulated sugar

1 bottle (6oz/170mL) marashino cherries, drained and chopped

(add extra green cherries as well to make it colorful)

1 pouch liquid pectin

PREPARATION:

1. Wash oranges and lemons. Slice paper thin. Discard seeds. put into large kettle. Add water and bring to a boil.
2. Turn down heat, cover and simmer about 30 minutes, until rinds are tender and transparent.
3. Stir occasionally. Drain ginger, saving syrup. Chop ginger finely.
4. Add sugar, chopped chinger, ginger syrup and cherries to orange-lemon mixture.
5. Turn heat to high and bring to a full, boiling boil, stirring constantly. Boil hard 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat and stir in pectin. Continue stirring and skimming for 5 minutes.
7. Ladle into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe rims and seal with two-piece canning lids. Process in a boiling water canner for 5-minutes. Check seals and refrigerate any jars that are not sealed.

WHERE TO BUY: The book is available for purchase at local book retailers, at www.robertrose.ca, or on www.amazon.com.

Original Best of Bridge Lady Mary Halpen will be touring Canada this Fall! Watch for her in Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the mentioned book from the PR firm or publisher in exchange of my review. Thanks to Robert Rose Inc. Any expressed opinions are my own and personal thoughts. No other compensation was given.