Hosting for the holidays
Giada De Laurentiis shares holiday tips in seasonal series
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, especially on Food Network where special programs celebrating the holiday are in full swing. Whether baked sweets, savory delights or a little bit of both are what’s tempting your taste buds with only a month or so to go until the big day, there’s definitely something to satisfy almost any taste on TV screens these days.
This year, Giada De Laurentiis is back for a third season of “Giada’s Holiday Handbook,” airing Sundays on Food Network. This time of year is prime time for hosting get-togethers with friends and family, and Giada is full of great advice for how to make sure that guests never leave with empty stomachs.
This week’s episode, airing Sunday, Nov. 19, is all about the day after Thanksgiving. With that classic American holiday fast approaching, the question of what to do with all those leftovers is probably far from most people’s minds, but Giada is never one to leave planning until the last minute. Black Friday marks the start of the Christmas season, but rather than shopping, Giada has friends and family over to start the gift wrapping — and, of course, to enjoy some delicious homemade food.
For the festive gathering, Giada transforms her Thanksgiving leftovers into an incredible buffet. The host actually makes it look all too easy as she makes Italian hot brown crostini, mashed potato zeppole and antipasti skewers. She even makes cranberry and rosemary juleps to really help get her guests all the way into the holiday spirit.
Speaking of cocktails, they’re the focus of next week’s episode when Giada hosts a Christmas cocktail party. Of course, a cocktail party needs appetizers, and she doesn’t disappoint on that front with spinach and artichoke panini bites, citrus-marinated olives and chocolate coconut cake.
As the season continues, Giada also showcases some of her sugar cookies that are perfect for making with children, and she even gives an Italian tradition a California vibe when she plays host on Christmas Eve.
For Giada De Laurentiis, it really is the most wonderful time of the year. “Giada’s Holiday Handbook” airs Sundays on Food Network.