He stays busy as a media personality, author, fashion consultant, and designer, but even Clinton Kelly — of ABC's The Chew and TLC's What Not to Wear — believes in the importance of slowing down for the holidays. Despite it being the busiest time of the year, the television star took a moment to chat with us about his holiday menu, what still makes him nervous, and how to deal in that awkward moment when the first person arrives alone to your holiday party.
YumSugar: What are you making for the holidays?
Clinton Kelly: I'm spending Christmas Eve with my entire family at my sister's house on Long Island.
Then I'm going to come back and spend Christmas morning with my husband, Damon, in New York City, and then we're going to go to Connecticut to see some more family. My sister's asked me to bring a salad, and I'm bringing something I just whipped up the other night with endive, candied walnuts, blue cheese, and balsamic vinaigrette. She's serving seafood fra diavolo over angel hair, so that'll be a fun Christmas dinner. I'm embarrassed to say I have not decided yet what to cook for Christmas lunch; I figure I'll go to the butcher and see what looks beautiful and try to be inspired. I'm thinking about maybe beef tenderloin with horseradish crème fraiche and roasted potatoes.
YS: Holiday leftovers are always a big thing. What do you suggest doing with them?
Find out Clinton's answer when you read more.
The Bubbly Poinsettia is a Christmas-appropriate cocktail if there ever was one. The vivacious red cocktail gets its color from pomegranate liqueur, maraschino liqueur, and Rosé Champagne, and gin gives the tipple a spicy kick. Lighten the stiff drink with lemon juice and a generous splash of bubbly. 
Red lentil terrine might not elicit a delicious food reaction for you, so think of the vegetarian appetizer this way: it's like combining Japanese condiments with red lentils. The mixture is baked until it sets, which makes it a terrine; once it's cooled and served, the red lentil terrine spreads upon crackers like a pâté. 
Unlike brown or French lentils, red lentils cook into a puree, so don't be surprised when the lentils transform into an orange mush. Caramelized onions and mirin, or Japanese rice wine, add a natural sweetness to the earthy spread, while umeboshi plum paste and miso contribute to the savory umami flavors. Toasted walnuts, processed into a nut butter, thicken the mixture, ensuring that the terrine bakes into a sliceable loaf. 
