Los Angeles – This past weekend, model and actress Molly Sims celebrated her favorite holiday of the year, Friendsgiving, by hosting a celebratory dinner with family and friends. After greeting guests with a glass of her famous mulled wine, made with Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Pinot Noir, she served a few of her favorite holiday dishes. Cheers!
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~ Molly’s Friendsgiving Tips ~
1. Create a dish inspired by each guest or couple. For
example, my good friend Kishani is a vegetarian, and when
she comes for Friendsgiving I always make sure there are
“veggie” options she can enjoy! Our favorite dishes are my
sweet potato coconut pecan casserole or my honey-roasted
carrot and quinoa salad.
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2. Stick with two to three food-friendly wines to place on
the table rather than focusing on specific wine pairings. I
love to serve Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Chardonnay or
Pinot Noir. Both wines are table essentials that complement
everything from turkey to savory sides. If you have a large
group, pick up Woodbridge 1.5 liter bottles. They’re fun, easy, and generous.
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3. I like to host a casual, family-style Friendsgiving right and generous!
after Thanksgiving Day and serve leftover sliced
turkey with a spicy cranberry salad that is my spin
on the traditional staple.
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4. There is no better holiday scent than a warm, spicy batch
of mulled wine filling up the room! I use an approachable
red wine like Woodbridge by Robert Mondavi Cabernet
Sauvignon that is “multi-purpose” and can also be poured
with dinner.
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5. No southern girl can enjoy the holidays without a gooey
potato dish. One of my favorite things to do is create a mini
mashed potato bar. Pick crowd-pleasing toppings like fresh
chives, shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, fried onions, sour
cream, and steamed broccoli.
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6. Forget pumpkin pie this year! I recently tried a
fantastic recipe for pumpkin spice brownies that
highlight two of my favorite holiday flavors—
chocolate and pumpkin. I’ll be baking batches to gift my
Friendsgiving guests!
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7. Now that my adorable son Brooks is part of the celebration, I
love to get the kids involved in the day’s festivities. Create
a scavenger hunt and have the little ones retrieve holidaythemed
items to fill a cornucopia. Have older kids set the
table or package up desserts to go.
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• Molly’s Mulled Wine •
INGREDIENTS
• 1 cardamom pod
• 1 nutmeg pod
• 3 allspice corns, whole
• 3 cloves, whole
• 1 vanilla bean, cut down the center
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 star anise, whole
• 1/4 cup blue agave syrup
• 1 bottle Woodbridge Pinot Noir
• Sachet or strainer
• Orange peel for garnish
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COOKING DIRECTIONS
Place the spices in a sachet. Pour the bottle of wine into a large saucepan and add the sachet and
agave syrup. Bring to a low boil, then reduce to a quiet simmer. Let the mixture simmer for 5
additional minutes.
Serve in glass mugs or teacups, and garnish with a twist of orange peel and a cinnamon stick.
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WINE SUGGESTION
Woodbridge Pinot Noir
Aromas of strawberries and cherries with
well-rounded fruit, a touch of spice, and
toasty oak on the palate.
SRP: $7.99 / Alc: 13.5%
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