The magic of the holidays is composed of three things… the people you love, a place that feels like home, and food so good you come back for thirds! In the spirit of the season, there’s no better time to start a fresh tradition than now. From new recipes on the table to family walks on the beach, a holiday vacation in New Smyrna Beach is guaranteed to add extra cheer to the festivities. Try our easiest and tastiest recipes to make in your NSB condo or home, and celebrate life’s blessings of family, food, and the beach!
Appetizer: Fig Jam Baked Brie
Baked brie… need we say more? Aside from being a unanimous crowd-pleaser, this appetizer has a gourmet appeal that’s easy to create. Swing by NSB’s primary grocery store, Publix, on A1A to pick up the recipe’s simple ingredients.
What You’ll Need:
| 8 oz wheel of brie | 1 Tbsp of water |
| ½-3/4 cup fig butter or jam | Sea salt |
| 1 sheet thawed puff pastry | Crackers for serving |
| 1 egg |
How to Make It:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Unroll the puff pastry onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Spread an even layer of fig butter all over the pastry, then place the wheel of cheese in the center.
- Spread more fig butter on top of the cheese then sprinkle everything with sea salt.
- Whisk together the egg and water then brush the pastry with the egg wash, and sprinkle more sea salt on top.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until the outside is golden brown and puffed.
Where to Make It:
Southwind 402’s kitchen was designed for entertaining! This oceanfront condo was recently renovated with chic white cabinetry, countertops, stainless steel appliances, and an eye-catching backsplash. Serve the warm, freshly baked brie at the breakfast bar with crackers, apple slices, and glasses brimming with wine. Four bar stools line the counter making it easy for family to hang out and snack while you continue the holiday preparations. If you prefer to keep the kitchen free of too many cooks, set the appetizer out on the condo’s oceanfront balcony. Your Fig Jam Baked Brie will be unforgettable when enjoyed on the outdoor dining set in full view of the ocean!
Side Dish: Classic Homemade Turkey Stuffing
No holiday table is truly complete without stuffing! Ditch the boxed version and elevate your dinner with this classic homemade turkey stuffing. No chef skills required; just simple ingredients and one of our vacation rentals’ fully-stocked kitchens to prep in.
What You’ll Need:
| 2 baguettes, country, or sourdough bread | 1 Tbsp freshly chopped sage |
| 8 Tbsp butter, plus more for baking dish | 1 Tbsp fresh thyme leaves, minced |
| 1 large onion, diced | Kosher salt |
| 4 stalks celery, thinly sliced | Freshly ground black pepper |
| 2 cloves garlic, minced 4 c. low-sodium chicken broth | |
| ½ c. freshly chopped parsley 2 large eggs, beaten |
How to Make It:
- Day before: Tear bread into ¼” cubes and leave out overnight to dry out.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter a large baking dish. In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter. Add onion and celery and cook until soft and fragrant, 8 minutes. Stir in garlic, parsley, sage, thyme, and rosemary and cook until fragrant.
- Place bread in a large bowl and add skillet mixture. Toss to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk together chicken broth and beaten eggs and pour over bread mixture. Season generously with salt and pepper and toss until completely coated.
- Transfer mixture to prepared baking dish and cover with foil. Bake until cooked through, 45 minutes, then remove foil and cook until bread is golden, 15 to 20 minutes more.
Where to Make It:
As side dishes are the star of Thanksgiving, you’ll need Chateau by the Sea 13C’s large bar counter to debut your delicious creation. This two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo not only has a lovely view of the ocean, but also has a kitchen that demands to be cooked in. Marbled granite countertops, white appliances and cabinets, and special amenities add joy to the holiday cooking. When your stuffing is in the oven for 45 minutes, work up a hearty appetite by walking the beach that’s only steps from your back door. After time spent in the fresh salty air and sunshine, you’ll be more than ready to return to the savory side dishes awaiting.
Vegetable: Holiday Roasted Vegetables
In a sea of pies, mashed potatoes, and dinner rolls, you’ll be more than grateful for a healthy option to add balance to your plate. These holiday roasted vegetables are a festive alternative to veggie platters as cranberries and toasted pecans are mixed in. Plus the recipe takes less than ten minutes to prep – just chop, toss, and pop in the oven!
What You’ll Need:
| ¾ lb Brussel sprouts, trimmed and halved | 1 Tsp. chopped thyme leaves |
| 2 large carrots, peeled and sliced into ½” pieces | Kosher salt |
| 2 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil | Freshly ground black pepper |
| 1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar | ½ c. toasted pecans |
| 1 Tsp. chopped rosemary leaves ½ c. dried cranberries |
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Scatter vegetables on a large baking sheet. Toss with oil, balsamic vinegar, rosemary, and thyme. Season with salt and pepper.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the vegetables are tender, shaking the pan halfway through.
- Before serving, toss roasted vegetables with pecans and cranberries.
Where to Make It:
If you’re going to be chopping veggies, you might as well prep to a dazzling wrap-around view of the ocean. Sea Coast Gardens III 201’s kitchen removes the stress from cooking as an expanse of waves are visible from the sink’s window and the spacious quartz countertop. As your veggies roast in the oven, brew yourself a cup of coffee in the Keurig and break from the holiday preparations in the living room. With the blustery ocean waves before you and the warm aromas within, you’ll never have felt so cozy as in this condo.
Dessert: 3-Ingredient Frozen Mud Pie
After waiting 365 days, it’s finally the season for pie! While pumpkin, pecan, and sweet potato are guaranteed to be on the table, Frozen Mud Pie is one that deserves to be added to your spread this year.
What You’ll Need:
| 1 (9”) frozen pie shell, slightly thawed | |
| 6 oz semisweet chocolate, chopped, divided | |
| 2 pints coffee ice cream | |
How to Make It:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prick bottom of pie shell all over with a fork. Bake until golden brown and dry, 20-25 minutes. Let cool completely.
- Melt ½ cup of chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl in the microwave for short intervals, stirring in between each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Using the back of a spoon, spread chocolate over bottom and sides of pie shell. Freeze until firm and dry, about five minutes.
- Let ice cream thaw in a bowl until spreadable but not soupy. Fill pie shell with ice cream and smooth top. Freeze until firm.
- Melt remaining ½ cup of chocolate in the microwave and drizzle with a fork over pie. Freeze again until set, about five minutes. Let sit ten minutes before slicing.
Where to Make It:
Cue the holiday music and get in the baking spirit in Sea Coast Gardens III 106’s stunning kitchen. Light blue cabinetry, mosaic backsplash, and stainless steel appliances make any time spent in this space a treat. As you drizzle the finishing chocolate on top, you can’t help but be distracted by the direct oceanfront view visible from every part of the kitchen. Once the pie is in the freezer, head to the ground-floor patio to wait for it to set. With the Atlantic before you and a cool ocean breeze on your face, you’ll never want to spend the holidays anywhere else.
While these recipes are guaranteed to make your holiday extra delicious, nothing compares to the joy of celebrating with family in the place you love most. Make New Smyrna Beach your home this season and discover the perfect vacation getaway for your stay. Great Ocean Condos and Homes has over 300 properties that are direct oceanfront, 2+ bedroom, pet-friendly, private homes and more. Struggling to find the best fit for your group? Call us at 386.478.7863 and a professional vacation planner will help you plan the best holiday beach vacation.