Holiday

Aged Cheddar + Guinness Caramelized Shallot Cheeseball

December 18, 2011

4 large shallots, thinly sliced {1 cup} 1/2 T butter 1/2 cup Guinness beer 4 oz cream cheese {1/2 block}, at room temperature 8 oz Beecher’s Flagship {highly recommended!} or sharp white cheddar cheese, grated 1 tsp Dijon mustard pinch of kosher salt several good grinds of black pepper {to taste} 1/2 cup whole hazelnuts, [...]

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Dark Chocolate + Peppermint Marshmallow Pops

December 13, 2011

60% cocao Ghirardelli baking chips or {good} white chocolate marshmallows {regular size or jumbo} crushed candy canes lollypop sticks Prepare a baking sheet with a piece of wax paper and set aside. Melt the chocolate in a small bowl over boiling water, stirring frequently. Remove the bowl once melted and move to work area. Maintain [...]

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Cranberry, Pistachio + White Chocolate Biscotti

December 11, 2011

2 1/4 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 3/4 tsp salt 6 T unsalted butter, room temperature 3/4 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 T lemon zest 1 1/2 tsp vanilla 1 tsp whole aniseed 1 cup dried sweetened cranberries 3/4 cup shelled, unsalted pistachios 6 oz imported white chocolate, chopped From Bon Appetit: [...]

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Seasonal Skinny Cocktail: Cranberry + Vanilla

November 25, 2011

juice + zest of 3 large navel oranges 2 12oz bags fresh cranberries, rinsed and picked over 1/2 cup Truvia 2 cups water 3 cups vanilla vodka {I like Absolut} 1 large bottle sparkling water Puree the juice, zest, whole cranberries and 2 cups water in blender, then push through a sieve to remove solids. [...]

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An American Original

May 31, 2011

Declare independence from the standard 4th of July fare by offering your guests the perfect, patriotic pairing of Humboldt Fog + fresh sweet berries. This eye-popping centerpiece is ideal for all day nibbling as it will become creamier and more luscious as the day progresses… Can you believe this American original will soon celebrate its [...]

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Cheese + Champagne

February 12, 2011

Pictured clockwise above: Garrotxa, Beaufort, Pierre Robert, Piave Vechio, Chaource. “Burgundy makes you think of silly things; Bordeaux makes you talk about them, and Champagne makes you do them!” -Jean Anthelme Brillat Savarin Ooh it’s Valentines Day – an occasion which encourages Champagne drinking with abandon! Don’t forget about its perfect partner, artisanal [...]

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It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas…

December 22, 2010

Your favorite Christmas balls displayed under a glass cloche – how easy and festive is that!

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Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

December 12, 2010

I am truly relishing every moment of holiday goodness this year. Having spent years attending to my customer’s every need and ensuring that their holidays went off without a snag, now it’s my turn…and I aim to make up for lost time! My one lament is that all that scurrying about in previous years actually [...]

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Chocolate Brandy Cake

December 8, 2010

3 cups flour 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 3/4 tsp salt 16 oz. bittersweet chocolate (chocolate chips are fine in this case) 3 sticks butter 1 1/3 cup brandy, Southern Comfort, or dark rum 1 cup strong coffee ( I use water and 1 Starbucks Via) 2 1/4 cups sugar 3 large eggs 2 tsp [...]

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Cornmeal + Cranberry Quickbread

December 6, 2010

Rustic + Hearty!! This takes 5 minutes, one bowl, and a whisk… 1 cup flour 1 cup whole wheat flour 1 cup medium-grind (or regular) cornmeal 1/2 cup sugar 1 1/2 teas salt 1 1/2 teas baking powder 1 stick butter, melted 1/2 cup pure maple syrup 2 large eggs 1 cup chopped pecans plus [...]

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