Basil & Salt Living

11/20/2025

Keep it simple this season: a few great cheeses, fresh fruit, and a sprig of herbs create an easy, elegant holiday board.

Keep your holiday board effortless:
✔️ 3 cheeses with different textures
Creamy + Nutty + Bold
✔️ Fresh fruit for sweetness
✔️ Something fragrant (rosemary or thyme)
✔️ A touch of salt or nuts for contrast
That’s it—instant festive spread. 🧀🍇

11/19/2025

Cranberry Baked Brie with Pecans or Walnuts

Warm, melty brie crowned with glossy cranberries and your choice of toasted pecans or walnuts. A 15-minute showstopper for every holiday table.

Ingredients
• 1 wheel of Brie
• 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
• 2–3 Tbsp honey or maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 1 tsp orange zest (optional but delicious)
• ¼ cup toasted pecans or walnuts, roughly chopped
• Fresh rosemary for garnish
• Crackers or baguette for serving

Directions
1. Bake the Brie: Preheat oven to 350°F. Bake the brie 10–12 minutes, until soft and melty.
2. Make the topping: Simmer cranberries, honey/maple syrup, and brown sugar in a small saucepan until the berries burst and turn glossy (5–7 minutes). Stir in the toasted pecans or walnuts.
3. Assemble: Spoon the warm cranberry mixture over the brie. Finish with a drizzle of honey and a little rosemary.
4. Serve warm and watch it disappear.

11/19/2025

11/18/2025

A simple bowl of greens is sometimes all you need ✨
Mixed baby leaves, sweet cherry tomatoes, tangy feta, and a sprinkle of dried cranberries — bright, fresh, and effortless. Perfect for a cozy gathering or weeknight table.

Harvest Greens Salad with Cherry Tomatoes, Feta & Dried Cranberries

Ingredients
• 4 cups mixed baby greens (spinach, chard, kale, or spring mix)
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup dried cranberries
• ¼–⅓ cup crumbled feta
• 2–3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice)
• Sea salt & cracked black pepper, to taste

Instructions
Toss greens with olive oil, balsamic, salt, and pepper. Add tomatoes and cranberries, then finish with crumbled feta just before serving.

11/17/2025

Blake Trettenero brings a touch of holiday magic with smart hosting tips plus a crowd-pleasing appetizer and cocktail pairing you’ll want on repeat.

Mushroom, Herb & Gruyere Puffs
“Keep the menu simple and choose recipes you can prep ahead—so when your loved ones arrive, you’re present, not stressed.”

Find the recipe in the linktree in my insta bio and here:
https://basilandsalt.com/tag/gruyere-cheese-recipes/

11/17/2025

Hosting a smaller holiday gathering this year? 🌟
Skip the whole bird and roast a beautifully seasoned turkey breast instead. It’s simple to prepare, tender, and full of festive flavor—perfect for an intimate celebration. Pair with your favorite sides and you’ve got a holiday feast without the stress. 🦃✨

Full recipe at the linktree in my insta bio and here:
https://basilandsalt.com/2021/12/05/rolled-stuffed-turkey-breast/

11/17/2025

Settle in next to a hot fire with a warm coffee cocktail and sip the chill away.
Tonight’s treat: a bold, aromatic Jannamico’s Super Espresso that warms you from the inside out.

Jannamico’s Super Espresso

Ingredients
• 1 1/4 oz Super Punch Jannamico
• 2 1/2 oz freshly brewed espresso
• 1 oz fresh cream

Directions
Gently warm the espresso with the Super Punch—just until hot, never boiling.
Pour into your favorite glass, finish with a cool, silky layer of cream, and enjoy immediately while it’s piping hot and wonderfully cozy.

11/17/2025

Creating Christmas Magic: An Interior Designer’s Guide to Holiday Decorating “The holidays are like adding sprinkles to the home of life – they make everything more magical!& #8221…

11/16/2025

A perfect roast begins long before the oven.
Use this thawing guide to give your bird the time it needs to stay tender, juicy, and holiday-ready. 🦃

11/16/2025

Crispy skin, tender slices, and that irresistible herb-butter aroma—this turkey is designed for cooks of every level. It’s simple, reliable, and absolutely celebration-worthy.

Basted in melted butter and packed with fresh rosemary, thyme, sage, and garlic, every bite lands juicy and full of flavor. Whether you’re hosting Thanksgiving or a cozy weekend feast, this is the turkey you’ll want on repeat.

Quick Tips for a Perfect Herb Turkey:

• Pat the turkey dry for ultra-crispy skin.
• Loosen the skin gently and tuck the herb butter underneath for deeper flavor.
• Salt generously—seasoning is your friend.
• Roast breast-side up and tent with foil if it browns too quickly.
• Let it rest 20–30 minutes before carving to keep the juices locked in.
• Save the drippings for next-level gravy.

Recipe at the link in my insta bio and below 🔗
https://basilandsalt.com/2023/11/16/herb-infused-roast-turkey/