Is it just me or are you also having a hard time believing that Thanksgiving is next week? I was under the impression that it was two weeks away until this past weekend. Time is sure flying by! Well, nothing says Turkey Day quite like delicious food, and spending time with family and friends. One thing is for sure, someone is always behind the stove cooking up a storm! That person was always my grandmother when I was growing up. She loved cooking a feast for all of us, but she never got to sit down and enjoy the family.

Over the years I’ve interviewed many renowned chefs, cooks and lifestyle experts, and they have one piece of advice – take it easy. Don’t make it so hard on yourself. If you’re at the stove the entire time, you won’t get a chance to connect with those nearest and dearest to you.

This week I was joined by renowned chef George Duran for an interview. He shared some of his favorite Thanksgiving entertaining tips for hosts and hostesses. Chef George Duran also shared a four ingredient cranberry dessert recipe that you will adore!

Please be sure to watch the video below to see my interview with chef George Duran in its entirety! I also transcribed it for you, so you can read it at your convenience. Happy early Thanksgiving!

Chef George Duran Shares Thanksgiving Entertaining Tips

Thanksgiving Entertaining Tips For Hosts and Hostesses

Candie Anderson: With the holiday season quickly approaching, do you have any entertaining tips you can share with hosts and hostesses?

Chef George Duran: “As you said, the holidays are here and this year you’ve got to spend more time with your guests and less time in the kitchen.

Get your meal delivered right to your door. Omaha Steaks is offering their premier turkey and ham holiday for eight. You get a whole basted turkey and spiral sliced ham, choose sides like a sage dressing or how about green bean casserole.

Finish off the meal with a dessert like an award-winning pumpkin pie. You can choose a variety of items for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, so you’re set for parties throughout the entire season. It’s easy to order, go to OmahaSteaks.com , call or visit one of their 60 plus retail stores throughout the country.”

Easy Dishes That Your Guests Will Love

Candie Anderson: What are some easy dishes that will satisfy large and small groups?

Chef George Duran: “You want to make sure you have good appetizers. My thing is to have appetizers made with really good cheese. That means ooey gooey Jarlsberg cheese. It’s known for its nutty, mild mellow and sweet flavors. It’s made from the original Norwegian recipe for over 60 years.

Fruit and cheese blend so nicely together. I’ve come up with these recipes. This one is an apple bacon turnover with a mix of Granny Smith apples, bacon, applesauce, and Jarlsberg cheese tucked into a puff pastry and baked.

These pear walnut crostinis (please see video above for details) made with a piece of toasted French baguette, slices of pear, cheese, and walnuts – with a touch of rosemary and honey.

Create a simple winter cheeseboard with (please see video above for details) with fresh figs, fresh pomegranate, dark chocolate, pecans which pair beautifully with the cheese and your favorite red wine.

Of course, you can get all of these recipes at jarlsberg.com“

The Perfect Four Ingredient Cranberry Dessert

Candie Anderson: Everything sounds amazing! Do you have any tips when it comes to desserts and drinks?

Chef George Duran: “Absolutely. You want to make festive drinks and part of that using cranberries in your drink – maybe whole cranberries or cranberry juice. One of the things I like to make with cranberries is relish. In fact this cranberry relish has only four ingredients:

• Whole cranberries
• Orange juice
• Orange zest
• Raw honey

It cooks 15 to 20 minutes. I like that you really have to get the deep flavors of the cranberry without having a ton of sugar to the recipe. You can make this a week in advance so you can pretty much save time for the big day, and it’s all ready to go.”

How To Find More Information

Candie Anderson: Do you have any additional tips or information you would like to share with us?

Chef George Duran: “For all these dishes and all the recipes here and a lot more, you can check out dailylounge.com. Boy oh boy do they have everything all on that website.”