Planning (Emotionally & Logistically) for Holiday Meals with Molly Stevens

Today I’m talking all about holiday cooking with one of my favorite food writers and educators, Molly Stevens. Molly is a James Beard award-winning author, cooking instructor, and recipe developer. Her cookbooks include All About Dinner: Simple Meals, Expert Advice (Norton, 2019), All About Roasting (Norton, 2011), and All About Braising (Norton, 2004). She has been named Cooking Teacher of the Year by both the International Association of Culinary Professionals and Bon Appétit.

Molly and I explore how we can bring more ease into planning and prepping for holiday gatherings. She offers such great advice, not just for cooking, but also for preparing for the holidays mentally and emotionally. Oftentimes this is just as important as the physical planning. It allows us to check our expectations and tune into what we really want, as opposed to being swept up in obligations and to-do lists. 

We also get into the practical side of hosting and planning, from menu planning tips, to prep tricks, cooking techniques, easy appetizers, timing dinner, and more. (Take warning: you’re going to leave hungry!). 

While the holidays are one of my favorite times of the year, they can also be incredibly stressful. I think this conversation is going to help you clarify what you want this holiday season to feel like, why you cook for others, and how you can better align those two things to bring more ease and flow into the season. 

Links and resources (and recipes!) mentioned in this episode:

* Mind, Body, Spirit, FOOD newsletter: https://mindbodyspiritfood.substack.com/

* Find Nicki on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickisizemore/

* Molly’s website: https://www.mollystevenscooks.com/

* Find Molly on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mstevenscooks/

* Make-Ahead Pie Crust: https://fromscratchfast.com/easy-gluten-free-pie-crust/

* Gingerbread Trifle: https://fromscratchfast.com/gingerbread-trifle-recipe-gluten-free/

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