Christmas

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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Rollingstone Cranberry Torta + A New Crisp

December 1, 2011

Fromage Friday brings me to one of my seasonal favorites. Located in Parma Idaho, Rollingstone Chèvre is strictly a farmstead operation and boasts the largest herd of purebred Saanen goats in the world. Impressive. Especially because Saanen goats are known for their extra rich and creamy milk. Each year I look forward to their Cranberry [...]

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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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Chocolate Candy Cane Cookies

December 12, 2010
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I am 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
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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 vanilla [...]

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Dark Chocolate Pudding + Sugared Cranberries

December 5, 2010
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So if chocolate pudding sounds boring or banal to you, think again! This family friendly dessert delivers on all fronts. And it’s huge nostalgia-factor warms the very cockles of my embittered heart. Using quality chocolate and cocoa are key to adult satisfaction here, as this is not your daddy’s Snack Pack!  If you’ve not discovered [...]

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Rosemary + Chipotle Roasted Nuts

December 1, 2010
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I love me some Ina Garten. I just do. I think she has the most friendly cherubic face and I appreciate her style of cooking and choice of ingredients – like me, she seems to go for updated American classics. I have met her several times at the Fancy Food Show and found her to [...]

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Celebrate The Season

November 26, 2010
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I’m loving mercury glass this year. Each arrangement contains 3 dozen roses, and I’ve simply secured each one with a rubber band and set it on top of each vase. Merry Christmas!

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