December 17, 2010

Flaky Buttery Biscuits

Let’s play the WHAT IF game. What if I went back in time and slipped this recipe into my mother’s yellow recipe binder when I was a kid? How would that change the course of my life? Would that mean I wouldn’t be writing this today? Would I have 9 children and live on a commune in the desert? Would the flux capacitor actually exist? That would mean the delorean would still be a popular car, right!? Would I weigh over 500 lbs? Would I have my own biscuit shop in Vermont? One may never know…. The good news is that today I’m making up for my biscuit-less childhood. Reason #2482 why my son is the luckiest boy–these biscuits! He will never have to ponder this great big WHAT IF? What if my mom wasn’t a crazy biscuit lover? She just is.

What I like about biscuits is that they can be eaten at every meal– all day long. A huge dollop of apricot jam and a sliver of butter and your breakfast is covered. Split one in half, add some bacon, a slice of aged sharp cheddar, some tomato & arugula and you’ve got yourself a fantastic lunch. Plop one in a big bowl of white bean chili and LOOK! Dinner is served! Or you could be just like your pal, Tracy and eat a whole batch within a course of a Sunday…

recipes, Uncategorized

December 15, 2010

NUTS about NUTS! (Roundup)

After doing my Cookie Party Roundup, I realized that there are people out there who get OVER LOADED with cookies on the holidays. Sometimes I feel bad adding to one’s cookie loot because there have been times where I’ve definitely been over-cookied. Since there’s a little time left, and some of you might be scrambling to make something this weekend or next week before Christmas arrives, here’s a post dedicated to those of you who are NUTS about NUTS! The best part is that they’re all simple to tackle and most all of these recipes have a decent shelf life. Who doesn’t appreciate that at this time of year?

Addictive Nutty Topping

A snap to whip up. Great added to yogurt, topped on pancakes, or eaten straight out of the jar you present it in.

The hardest part will be having some left to give AS presents. Watch out!
CONTINUE READING

out & about, Uncategorized

December 14, 2010

# 4. Take a class to improve my knife skills.

On my 31 comes before 32 list, I set out to take a knife skills class. A few weeks ago, I was puttering around the internet looking for classes and found an Essential Knife Skills class at my local Sur La Table! After all the Thanksgiving preparations & the vacation away with family (don’t get me started on how much energy was put into packing up this small family of three!) I decided to treat myself to a class on a Monday night, all by myself! Have I ever told you that I find chopping food to be fun and relaxing? Is that weird?

recipes, Uncategorized

December 13, 2010

Peppermint Bark Bandit!

Some bunny is getting into my Peppermint Bark stash! Can you really blame him?!? He’s only had the teeniest nibble of one and he WON’T forget it! “Minty Candy? Pweease Mama?” is what I’ve been hearing over and over again.

In the past week, I’ve made two batches of Peppermint Bark for my friends & family. I posted the recipe for them long ago…Go check it out! Making this candy and sharing it with loved ones has become one of my favorite Christmas traditions. Everyone raves about it; it’s so nice to hear such wonderful compliments! I packaged up a few boxes and shipped them out along with a big honking stack of Christmas cards. I’m glad that I can cross that off the list! Phew. I think I’ll make a few more batches of the bark closer to Christmas.

So what does it taste like? Think of a thick white chocolate minty CRUNCH bar with extra crunch (from the peppermint candy canes). It’s really light too! If you are looking to make a real show stopper, you might wanna hear what my sister-in-law does. She peels off the bottom sheet of waxed paper when the bark has set and spreads a layer of melted bittersweet chocolate on top. How’s that for rich?! The dangerous part is that you might not notice that you’ve eaten a whole plateful until it’s too late. You’ve been warned! Please enjoy responsibily! 😉

recipes, Uncategorized

December 7, 2010

Cranberry Apple Cake

Inside my head there’s a tornado of Holiday TO-DO lists whacking into the side of my skull. Christmas cards, Christmas gifts, Christmas candy, CHRISTMAS ANYTHING. AHH!! MAKE IT STOP. The only thing that calms the storm is the sound of Scoop. Measure. Stir. My measuring spoons hit the bowl, my sink is littered with batter smeared bowls and the cake goes off into the oven. I’m standing in the kitchen licking the remains of batter off my wooden spoon and suddenly I smell the heavy scent of cranberries, apples & cinnamon waft in the air. The tornado disappears and I’m temporarily focused on things that don’t stress me out. CAKE! Ahhhhhhh.

I’m in love with this cake! The recipe comes from Ina Garten’s new book, Barefoot Contessa How Easy is That?— a new addition to my cookbook library, thanks to my INA OBSESSED mom. She knows I love a good/easy recipe and thank goodness for that because this book is chalk full of them! The top of this cake is a splendid union of tangy cranberries & juicy apples rocking a cinnamon sugar citrus vibe. Think pineapple upside down cake meets Christmas. A very light spongy cake (that has no baking powder or soda!) is what it sits upon…and at the very bottom of that is a crispy cinnamon sugar crust. Three layers of deliciousness are all waiting for you to meet them. Go ahead, introduce yourself! I suggest you top off a slice with a scoop of vanilla bean gelato. I’m sure it will silence your holiday tornadoes. I can vouch that temporarily silenced mine!
CONTINUE READING

around the home, Uncategorized

December 6, 2010

Christmas Decor 2010

Almost done decorating for Christmas! We put up our tree late Saturday morning! Probably wasn’t the best idea because Cooper loved the tree soo much, he wouldn’t take a proper nap. How could I forget how exciting Christmas can be for a young one!?! He kept calling for his Christmas tree. So far hasn’t been touching the ornaments (that much) but he does insist on holding our hands and bringing us into the sitting room to show us the Christmas tree. I think he loves it.