CH Runners
Not Running => Food => Topic started by: caribougrrl on November 28, 2011, 09:22:24 AM
-
Now that there's less than a month left, we can start talking about this right?
I made sugar plums yesterday! They taste pretty good now, so once they are good and ripe, they should be fabulous.
2 c. nuts, coarsely ground (any combination of almonds, pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts)
4 c. dried fruit, finely chopped (figs, prunes, dates, apricots, cherries)
5-6 slices crystallized ginger, chopped finely
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
zest of one small orange
4 tbsp orange liqueur
granulated sugar for dusting
Mix all ingredients together well. Add more liqueur as needed to make the mixture stick together. Roll into small slightly oblong shapes (the size of a truffle, but egg shaped, or more to the point, plum shaped). Coat with granulated sugar, let air dry ~2 hrs, store in an airtight container at room temp for a week then in the refrigerator for up to 3 additional weeks, or in the freezer for longer.
-
i will probably make fruitcake this coming weekend, and then start churning out christmas cookies (pecan tarts, russian tea cakes, linzer tarts, and pepparkakor).
-
i will probably make fruitcake this coming weekend, and then start churning out christmas cookies (pecan tarts, russian tea cakes, linzer tarts, and pepparkakor).
our fruitcake is rum-aging already... we were strangely organized this year
I'm considering making egg nog fudge to gift up with the sugar plums, but I've never really done a truly successful fudge.
-
the one 100% reliable fudge recipe i have is the one supplied on the back of marshmallow fluff containers. it's way too sweet, and i won't eat it - it surprises me how popular it is.
-
i have never made fluff fudge but read the fluff container many times :D
I am having a Christmas cookie exchange party in a couple weeks, i cannot wait!!!
-
I'm making chocolate chip cookies RIGHT NOW. :D
They aren't particularly Christmas-y, but they are good! I'm going to make some of my short stack cookies for the holidays, too.
Mmmmmm... I love cookies.
-
I modified a vanilla fudge recipe I found; substituted egg nog for milk, added rum instead of vanilla... it's about the only recipe I could find without marshmallows and/or corn syrup, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. I like fudge to have a slightly grainy texture, and this one does. I don't have a candy thermometer, but had no trouble catching the soft ball stage.
Egg Nog Fudge
500 ml (2 c.) egg nog
100 ml (generous 1/3 c.) cream
200 g (~7 oz) butter
700 g (~12 oz) sugar
2 tbsp rum
combine egg nog, cream, butter and sugar in heavy bottomed saucepan; heat slowly stirring constantly until all the sugar is dissolved and the butter is melted; raise heat to med-high and bring to boil; boil stirring constantly until it reaches the soft ball stage (15-20 minutes, liquid dropped into very cold water holds it's shape but flattens out slightly when removed), quickly stir in rum, remove from heat and let cool for ~ 5 minutes; stir until no longer glossy, pour into a greased square cake pan, garnish immediately with grated or ground nutmeg, and let cool at room temperature.
This makes and old-fashioned granular fudge. Very sweet, but very very tasty.
-
Florentine disaster today. :nono:
Why is it florentines seem to only work out about half the time?
-
Florentine success: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sourcherryandstemgin_90639 (http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sourcherryandstemgin_90639)
-
I made a practice run of some russian fudge today as I only make it at christmas. Taste and texture are fine but it doesn't look very tidy. Now I keep snacking on bloody fudge :fiery: need to find someone to offload it onto
-
what's russian fudge?
-
Now that there's less than a month left, we can start talking about this right?
I made sugar plums yesterday! They taste pretty good now, so once they are good and ripe, they should be fabulous.
2 c. nuts, coarsely ground (any combination of almonds, pecans, hazelnuts or walnuts)
4 c. dried fruit, finely chopped (figs, prunes, dates, apricots, cherries)
5-6 slices crystallized ginger, chopped finely
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground nutmeg
zest of one small orange
4 tbsp orange liqueur
granulated sugar for dusting
Mix all ingredients together well. Add more liqueur as needed to make the mixture stick together. Roll into small slightly oblong shapes (the size of a truffle, but egg shaped, or more to the point, plum shaped). Coat with granulated sugar, let air dry ~2 hrs, store in an airtight container at room temp for a week then in the refrigerator for up to 3 additional weeks, or in the freezer for longer.
Are they pretty?
I don't think any of my family would eat them, but I love the idea.
-
Are they pretty?
I don't think any of my family would eat them, but I love the idea.
I think they're pretty... I don't like the looks of them coated in coconut or powdered sugar (some recipes call for these), but I do like the looks of them rolled in granulated sugar. Mine look something like this except mine are less round and more oblong and I grind my nuts instead of chopping finely:
(http://www.sherylkirby.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/sugarplums.jpg)
-
Those are nice. :)
-
what's russian fudge?
Not sure what you call it but its condensed milk, sugar, milk, butter & golden syrup. kind of like maple candy but not nearly as good.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2566/3771066551_6c0ff310cc.jpg)
-
womble, that looks like a good fudge
I did chocolate dipped dried apricots this morning, so now I am ready to ship treats to my family. No one has done sugarplums or chocolate covered apricots since my grandmother died (she always did them), so I'm feeling very pleased with myself.
-
Oh! That pic (sugar plums) looks like something my grandma used to make, though I never knew her name for them. I might try them this year.
I just made peppermint bark, am working on spiced glazed nuts, and then making lemon spritz cookies, all to ship to family. :)
-
Oh! That pic (sugar plums) looks like something my grandma used to make, though I never knew her name for them. I might try them this year.
I just made peppermint bark, am working on spiced glazed nuts, and then making lemon spritz cookies, all to ship to family. :)
will you share the spiced glazed nuts recipe?
-
will you share the spiced glazed nuts recipe?
Sure!
Holiday Spiced Nuts
2 cups of your favorite nuts (I use pecans, walnuts, and almonds)
Spice mix:
2 tablespoons sugar
3/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (or less to taste)
Glaze:
1 tablespoon water
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon coconut oil, butter, or canola oil
Heat the oven to 300. Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and toast them for 6-8 minutes or until they are fragrant and their color deepens slightly.
In a medium sized bowl, stir together the spice mix.
In a saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients and bring them to a boil over medium heat, whisking constantly. Stir in the toasted nuts and continue to stir until all the nuts are shiny and the liquid is gone, about 1-2 minutes. Move the glazed nuts to a mixing bowl, sprinkle on the spice mix, and toss them well to coat.
Spread the coated nuts on a cookie sheet and return them to the oven for another 4-6 minutes; check regularly to make sure they don't burn. Remove and let cool.
I can't credit the author as I can't remember where I got it from.
-
seattlegirl, I'm planning to give the nut recipe a try tomorrow!
-
I made sugar cookies, Swedish spice cookies, snickerdoodles, spritz cookies, and grandma cookies
-
seattlegirl, I'm planning to give the nut recipe a try tomorrow!
Hope you like them! It's a favorite around here.
-
Hope you like them! It's a favorite around here.
they're now on the new year's list, I ran out of time so made olive tapenade instead
-
bump
-
bump because it's that time of year
-
So give it up already!
I am thinking I need to revisit my sea salt caramel recipe and make those again. They were damn good, and fairly easy. I just need some minions to cut up my wax paper and help me wrap them - that was the most tedious bit.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fleur-de-Sel-Caramels-230778 (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fleur-de-Sel-Caramels-230778)
ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon fleur de sel*
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
Special equipment: parchment paper; a deep-fat thermometer
Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, then lightly oil parchment.
Bring cream, butter, and fleur de sel to a boil in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and set aside.
Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil, without stirring but gently swirling pan, until mixture is a light golden caramel.
Carefully stir in cream mixture (mixture will bubble up) and simmer, stirring frequently, until caramel registers 248°F on thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour into baking pan and cool 2 hours. Cut into 1-inch pieces, then wrap each piece in a 4-inch square of wax paper, twisting 2 ends to close.
-
NEW FOR 2012! (cgraz, it was silly of me indeed to start a candy thread then immediately bump last year's)
this year I'm making torrone (italian nougat)... did a trial run on the weekend... so, from memory (there are quite a few recipes on the internet, but most are exactly the same, I loosely based mine of the La Cucina Italiana website one)
toast 1-1/2 c almonds in a 350F oven, transferred to a cooling rack
line a square baking pan (8x8) with parchment paper, leaving some overhang
beat 2 egg whites in a very large mixing bowl until stiff peaks formed, added 1/3 c icing sugar and beat until glossy, set aside
in a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat 2 c. granulated sugar and 2/3 c. honey until melted, stirring constantly, continue heating to the hard ball stage stirring occassionally, then stop stirring until it reaches the hard crack stage***
immediately remove from heat, let cool to hard ball temp, stirring constantly
pour in a steady thin stream into egg whites, beating egg whites to incorporate, it increases in volume more than twice (hence the very large bowl) and becomes very stiff as you get toward the end of the sugar
beat in 1/4 tsp vanilla extract & zest of one clementine (I will skip the vanilla next time)
fold almonds into nougat
prep a needing surface with cornstarch, coat your hands in corn starch and scrape nougat onto surface; knead for 1-2 minutes, dusting hands with cornstarch as necessary
press into baking pan, flattening the surface with your dusted hands, let cool for at least an hour before breaking into peices
***almost all the recipes I read said to heat to 315F, which I was skeptical of, but did the first time... what I ended up with was a pan full of burnt syrup... one recipe said 260F, another said 280-300F... 302 is hard-crack stage at sea level, but nougat is not hard candy, but the egg whites change the consistency, so I went for just barely reaching hard crack before I removed it from the heat, consistency-wise for the final product, I think that was a good call
it turned out brilliantly... one thing I will do differently when it's show-time is make on a day that is less humid... there's a wee bit too much moisture in the batch I did, but I think it's a humidity problem rather than a syrup problem
instead of parchment, you can sandwich the nougat between sheets of edible rice paper... I can't get rice paper here though
-
I'm going to experiment with some caramel again, because I'm too dumb to learn a lesson. I saw a recipe on pinterest for sea salt caramels I want to try.
I may also attempt some GF cookies. We'll see.
-
I'm going to experiment with some caramel again, because I'm too dumb to learn a lesson. I saw a recipe on pinterest for sea salt caramels I want to try.
I may also attempt some GF cookies. We'll see.
Make the ones cgraz links to above. They are pretty much fool proof. The only thing about them is that getting the sugar to temp takes WAY longer than you think it's going to (or at least longer than *I* always seem to think it should). They are also really tasty and I always get lots of requests for the recipe.
-
I may also attempt some GF cookies. We'll see.
i wonder if one could make tuiles w/almonds and almond flour. i suspect one could...
-
What are GF cookies?
So for those of you who have started baking already, how do your store your baked goods until you give them away? I won't be doling out the goods until just before Christmas, so I have always waited to the last minute to do my cooking/baking and then can only do about half of what I'd really like to do.
Last year I made Calvados Applesauce and Lemon Curd and gave those away. This year I want to make salted caramels, some with Calvados maybe (I bought some apple flavored ones in France that were fabulous), cookies and for family only some Panettone. But 'bou, I like your idea of Torrone as well!
-
What are GF cookies?
So for those of you who have started baking already, how do your store your baked goods until you give them away? I won't be doling out the goods until just before Christmas, so I have always waited to the last minute to do my cooking/baking and then can only do about half of what I'd really like to do.
Last year I made Calvados Applesauce and Lemon Curd and gave those away. This year I want to make salted caramels, some with Calvados maybe (I bought some apple flavored ones in France that were fabulous), cookies and for family only some Panettone. But 'bou, I like your idea of Torrone as well!
I normally just keep my cookies in tightly sealed containers layered with wax paper but you could freeze them. I personally have never noticed them getting stale. I don't make candy so I don't know about that.
-
What are GF cookies?
So for those of you who have started baking already, how do your store your baked goods until you give them away? I won't be doling out the goods until just before Christmas, so I have always waited to the last minute to do my cooking/baking and then can only do about half of what I'd really like to do.
Last year I made Calvados Applesauce and Lemon Curd and gave those away. This year I want to make salted caramels, some with Calvados maybe (I bought some apple flavored ones in France that were fabulous), cookies and for family only some Panettone. But 'bou, I like your idea of Torrone as well!
most candies will store at room temp for a long time (I usually wrap in parchment or waxed paper and store in a cookie tin)
for cookies, many of them freeze well... or the dough freezes well... we freeze shortbread dough in rolls then thaw, slice and bake when needed, for example... other cookies like the filled date ones I sometimes do freeze really well fully cooked, thaw and serve
-
GF cookies = gluten free
-
GF cookies = gluten free
Thanks! All I could think of was Girl Friend and that made absolutely no sense!
And thanks for the storing tips as well. Making then freezing the dough seems like a good idea; I could make up the doughs as time permits, then thaw and bake when I'm ready. Perhaps an all-purpose basic dough would be good, then I could add things to it for different types of cookies? I dunno. I've got some research to do!
-
For whoever was looking for/thinking about GF cookies:
These are yummy and have no white sugar or flour in them. I think baking powder can sometimes have gluten in it (??) but you probably already have that covered so otherwise they are GF http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html (http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/nikkis-healthy-cookies-recipe.html) They don't taste GF or vegan or weird in any way. DD calls them banana bread cookies. They aren't exactly low fat. They are COOKIES afterall. :D
-
YUM!! That sounds great! I'll have to try them :) Thank you!
-
Bou, i haven't made my French nougat because I'm waiting for my rice paper to arrive in the mail. My other recipe calls for cocoa butter. I'll make both with and without to see which is better. I'm adding dried cherries in both. I can't wait!
This is sans beurre de cocoa:
http://www.thekitchn.com/taste-of-provence-nougat-de-mo-122326 (http://www.thekitchn.com/taste-of-provence-nougat-de-mo-122326)
Here's the recipe for the one with cocoa butter. It's in French though. You can use google translate if you have difficulty understanding:
http://www.lacuisinedebernard.com/2011/03/le-nougat-de-montelimar.html (http://www.lacuisinedebernard.com/2011/03/le-nougat-de-montelimar.html)
-
cheers, mags!
-
Bou, i haven't made my French nougat because I'm waiting for my rice paper to arrive in the mail. My other recipe calls for cocoa butter. I'll make both with and without to see which is better. I'm adding dried cherries in both. I can't wait!
This is sans beurre de cocoa:
http://www.thekitchn.com/taste-of-provence-nougat-de-mo-122326 (http://www.thekitchn.com/taste-of-provence-nougat-de-mo-122326)
Here's the recipe for the one with cocoa butter. It's in French though. You can use google translate if you have difficulty understanding:
http://www.lacuisinedebernard.com/2011/03/le-nougat-de-montelimar.html (http://www.lacuisinedebernard.com/2011/03/le-nougat-de-montelimar.html)
I made this today, and I have 2nd degree burns on one of my hands to prove it!
Caribou, if you ever decide to make this nougat, use Chef Bernard's recipe for a couple of reasons. The one from kitchn doesn't have the cocoa butter needed to give nougat that chocolate scent. The other thing is that Chef B heated the honey and sugar with glucose in separate sauce pots. I wondered about this, now I know why. If you heat the honey and sugar together you won't be able to get the mixture to a high enough temperature because the mixture foams up so I had to stir the mixture to let the foam dissipate so my thermometer could detect the syrup's temp. I might have cooked my honey and sugar too long because of the false temp that the foam caused. Roasting the nuts in 180 deg C/356 deg F is about right versus roasting them in 400 deg F.
I'll post pics of the bars tomorrow. I'm letting them sit to cool at the moment. Tomorrow, guimave des fraises, et chocolat.
-
I made this today, and I have 2nd degree burns on one of my hands to prove it!
Caribou, if you ever decide to make this nougat, use Chef Bernard's recipe for a couple of reasons. The one from kitchn doesn't have the cocoa butter needed to give nougat that chocolate scent. The other thing is that Chef B heated the honey and sugar with glucose in separate sauce pots. I wondered about this, now I know why. If you heat the honey and sugar together you won't be able to get the mixture to a high enough temperature because the mixture foams up so I had to stir the mixture to let the foam dissipate so my thermometer could detect the syrup's temp. I might have cooked my honey and sugar too long because of the false temp that the foam caused. Roasting the nuts in 180 deg C/356 deg F is about right versus roasting them in 400 deg F.
I'll post pics of the bars tomorrow. I'm letting them sit to cool at the moment. Tomorrow, guimave des fraises, et chocolat.
:!:
is that why I think my candy thermometer isn't working? because of foaming?
I chucked it out and have been using the icewater method for testing stages.
-
I think this thread is safe from the prune, but I don't want to lose my sugarplum recipe... #bettersafethansorry
-
it's sugar plum day chez caribougrrl
-
:heartbeat:
-
Perfect timing as I've been perfecting my coffee toffee recipe with dark chocolate and toasted pecans. Next up will be a few rounds of butter toffee with white chocolate and toasted macadamia nuts :)
-
bumping for the 2014 holiday season...
-
a failed attempt at sponge toffee on the weekend (burnt, I should have taken it off the heat before the hard crack stage because it keeps cooking for a wee bit once removed) but will try again through the week
we also made a batch of martha stewart's peppermint marshmallows (we skip the food colouring marble): http://www.marthastewart.com/355781/candy-cane-marshmallows (http://www.marthastewart.com/355781/candy-cane-marshmallows)
gawd I love home made marshmallows...
-
I have my cookie party in 2 weeks (less than!) and need to try some cookie recipes. DD requested gingerbread men. But I usually make 2-3 things.
-
DD's other request is to make this, which i do not think she ever saw a recipe but she is addicted to mandarin oranges and i think she thought they would be best dipped in chocolate :D
http://www.giverecipe.com/chocolate-covered-orange.html (http://www.giverecipe.com/chocolate-covered-orange.html)
i was thinking of this cookie to try, lemon poppy seed
http://theprettybee.com/2014/05/vegan-gluten-free-lemon-poppy-seed-cookies.html (http://theprettybee.com/2014/05/vegan-gluten-free-lemon-poppy-seed-cookies.html)
-
DD's other request is to make this, which i do not think she ever saw a recipe but she is addicted to mandarin oranges and i think she thought they would be best dipped in chocolate :D
http://www.giverecipe.com/chocolate-covered-orange.html (http://www.giverecipe.com/chocolate-covered-orange.html)
i was thinking of this cookie to try, lemon poppy seed
http://theprettybee.com/2014/05/vegan-gluten-free-lemon-poppy-seed-cookies.html (http://theprettybee.com/2014/05/vegan-gluten-free-lemon-poppy-seed-cookies.html)
the choc covered candied oranges look fantastic!
-
the choc covered candied oranges look fantastic!
1!
-
I bought a bag of organic oranges to try this wtih and will hopefully do the simple syrup tomorrow and let them dry and dip them on Thursday.
I made something called "sparkling cranberries" for Thanksgiving and it was cranberries (fresh) soaked in simple syrup (2c sugar 2c water boiled and slightly cooled) for a day, drained and tossed in granulated sugar, set on a cookie sheet to dry and retossed once more. They were beautiful and delicious and easy. And do not eat a raw cranberry, BARF!
-
I bought a bag of organic oranges to try this wtih and will hopefully do the simple syrup tomorrow and let them dry and dip them on Thursday.
I made something called "sparkling cranberries" for Thanksgiving and it was cranberries (fresh) soaked in simple syrup (2c sugar 2c water boiled and slightly cooled) for a day, drained and tossed in granulated sugar, set on a cookie sheet to dry and retossed once more. They were beautiful and delicious and easy. And do not eat a raw cranberry, BARF!
save the excess syrup! it would make a good glaze to brush on chocolate chip muffins... or cooled and used in cocktails...
-
hindsight is 20/20. I could have reused it for the oranges!!!
-
I made home made turtles yesterday. Very simple, a little messy. It's just pecans, melted caramels with 1/2 and 1/2, and melted chocolate. A little sprinkle of sea salt on top. I bought 2 giant 1lb blocks of chocolate at Trader Joe's yesterday and extra caramels. Other than needing more pecans, I have enough to make them a second time as I mixed milk and dark chocolate, so I now have a lot of chocolate left.
-
I made home made turtles yesterday. Very simple, a little messy. It's just pecans, melted caramels with 1/2 and 1/2, and melted chocolate. A little sprinkle of sea salt on top. I bought 2 giant 1lb blocks of chocolate at Trader Joe's yesterday and extra caramels. Other than needing more pecans, I have enough to make them a second time as I mixed milk and dark chocolate, so I now have a lot of chocolate left.
When I get to the end of my holiday baking etc., I use any left over chocolate to coat any leftover dried fruit... I will actually purchase dried apricots for this if I don't have any around.
-
I bought a bag of organic oranges to try this wtih and will hopefully do the simple syrup tomorrow and let them dry and dip them on Thursday.
I made something called "sparkling cranberries" for Thanksgiving and it was cranberries (fresh) soaked in simple syrup (2c sugar 2c water boiled and slightly cooled) for a day, drained and tossed in granulated sugar, set on a cookie sheet to dry and retossed once more. They were beautiful and delicious and easy. And do not eat a raw cranberry, BARF!
Meri...did you do this? how did it come out? I want to try both the oranges and the cranberries and making my own candied citrus peel SOMEDAY.
-
UGH. No I have not. YOu have to boil the oranges for 1.5 hours then let them dry. I am hoping to boil them tomorrow.
-
UGH. No I have not. YOu have to boil the oranges for 1.5 hours then let them dry. I am hoping to boil them tomorrow.
I've made candied orange peel dipped in chocolate, but not an entire slice. So I won't know the exact formula and cooking time for slices of orange. This recipe's sugar/water proportion is incorrect. There should be more sugar than water in the mixture. I would try 3 parts of sugar:1 part water. Add a spoonful of corn syrup to keep the syrup from crystallizing. Also I don't think you have to simmer the oranges for over an hour.
-
I've made candied orange peel dipped in chocolate, but not an entire slice. So I won't know the exact formula and cooking time for slices of orange. This recipe's sugar/water proportion is incorrect. There should be more sugar than water in the mixture. I would try 3 parts of sugar:1 part water. Add a spoonful of corn syrup to keep the syrup from crystallizing. Also I don't think you have to simmer the oranges for over an hour.
Good info. I would think that simmering for that long would make them fall apart!
-
So I simmered them and they are drying now on baking sheets. They did not fall apart and I did simmer them for 95 minutes. I did 2 cups water and 4 cups sugar, any less water it would not have covered the oranges. They floated for the first 20-30 minutes and i put a metal collander (those foldy ones) on top and it kept them submerged. I am curious as to how dry they will get but i won't get a chance to dip until tomorrow afternoon, so they will have over a day.
-
So I simmered them and they are drying now on baking sheets. They did not fall apart and I did simmer them for 95 minutes. I did 2 cups water and 4 cups sugar, any less water it would not have covered the oranges. They floated for the first 20-30 minutes and i put a metal collander (those foldy ones) on top and it kept them submerged. I am curious as to how dry they will get but i won't get a chance to dip until tomorrow afternoon, so they will have over a day.
I've seen recipes where the slices were placed in a sheet of parchment paper then baked. I'll see if I could find the link to it. When I made my peels, they were tacky and had to be dredged in extra-fine sugar. I would think you want your slices to be glistening and translucent. If you don't care about them looking like glass before dipping, I'd suggest for you to dredge them in extra-fine sugar before dipping. Also add a bit of crisco in your dipping chocolate to thin it out a bit. The heated chocolate only gets thicker as you go. It kind of ruins the look of the beautiful slices and they remain soft.
-
I just dipped the oranges and they look awesome and taste awesome. So excited for them to set up so i can take a pic on a platter :)
-
I can't wait to see them! Did the pulp turn firm? I made some using orange peel only. They are now drying out, and I think could be dipped. I just don't want to take any chances so I'm giving it another 24 hours. Will infuse the left over syrup it with lavender to sweeten lavender iced tea.
-
Wait, meri, you dipped the whole orange slice? Not just the skin?
-
Firmer than when they were cut fresh :D I did it exactly as the picture! I dipped half of the slice (so half the rind and pulp).
-
I did not get a closeup of the oranges before they were all snatched up, but everyone LOVED them and they looked pretty close to the pictures in the recipe
(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10387701_10204583006628363_6732174153315527162_n.jpg?oh=8e894bbc1378884d879f3bc5c446f8b1&oe=54FA3CCE)
-
I did not get a closeup of the oranges before they were all snatched up, but everyone LOVED them and they looked pretty close to the pictures in the recipe
(https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10387701_10204583006628363_6732174153315527162_n.jpg?oh=8e894bbc1378884d879f3bc5c446f8b1&oe=54FA3CCE)
when I glanced at that picture I thought it was from an old Better Homes and Gardens cookbook!
-
we had to pack a weekend's worth of candy making into one day yesterday (Saturday plans were thwarted by an unexpected flat tire incident...)\
orange blossom marshmallows
rose water marshmallows
mixed berry and meyer lemon jellies
brown sugar fudge
apricot-almond-chocolate bonbons
fig-honey-rosemary-hazelnut bonbons
sponge toffee failure #2
-
I made coconut macaroons yesterday. I gave a couple to my chiro this morning and I am bringing most of them to a yankee swap on Wed night. I think next weekend I might try some peppermint whoopie pies that I have a recipe for. My co-worker also wants me to make jam thumbprint cookies. I am bummed that my cookie press wasn't working last year and I haven't pulled it out to see if I can get it to work this time around. Just as well as it makes a 100 yummy tiny cookies that are all butter and I call 'one bite' cookies.
-
i made peanut butter, dark chocolate chip cookies yesterday for giving. more later this week. i also have challah and stollen to bake.
-
I made two batches each of Swedish spice cookies, grandma cookies, spritz cookies, snickerdoodles, and oatmeal chocolate chip cookies yesterday. It was a ton of work!
-
I'm making spicy praline pecans and they smell so good I'm afraid I may eat them all myself.



I got the recipe at this awesome blog:
http://moosecurrry.blogspot.com/2014/12/spicy-praline-pecan-recipe.html?m=1
-
I'm making spicy praline pecans and they smell so good I'm afraid I may eat them all myself.



I got the recipe at this awesome blog:
http://moosecurrry.blogspot.com/2014/12/spicy-praline-pecan-recipe.html?m=1 (http://moosecurrry.blogspot.com/2014/12/spicy-praline-pecan-recipe.html?m=1)
:D
you may be interested to know that they do well baked IN pumpkin pie too...
-
:D
you may be interested to know that they do well baked IN pumpkin pie too...
😄 DH suggested them as the top crust for an apple pie.
I have to make more. You wouldn't believe how many we ate last night.
-
😄 DH suggested them as the top crust for an apple pie.
I have to make more. You wouldn't believe how many we ate last night.
oh, I might believe how many, but I refuse to admit how well I might believe how many...
-
I'm late to it this year. Too much going on. I won't be sending any away this year (not enough time!), so I think it will be a short list.
sugarplums will get made next weekend, so they should still have time to mature
I'm going to give a try at dark chocolate merlot truffles again.
I have been recipe-testing cassata, so will report back when I've got it nailed.
what's on everyone else's agenda?
-
Made some chocolate bars for giving today with DD and started candying orange slices.
-
I'm late to it this year. Too much going on. I won't be sending any away this year (not enough time!), so I think it will be a short list.
sugarplums will get made next weekend, so they should still have time to mature
I'm going to give a try at dark chocolate merlot truffles again.
I have been recipe-testing cassata, so will report back when I've got it nailed.
what's on everyone else's agenda?
I was considering making your sugar plums for a party next Monday. How long do they need to mature before serving?
-
I was considering making your sugar plums for a party next Monday. How long do they need to mature before serving?
they are good right away, they just get better over a couple of weeks (in my opinion)... but you can absolutely serve them right away
-
REcipe?
-
REcipe?
very first post, or better instructions on the blog http://moosecurrry.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dance-of-sugar-plums.html (http://moosecurrry.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dance-of-sugar-plums.html)
-
very first post, or better instructions on the blog http://moosecurrry.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dance-of-sugar-plums.html (http://moosecurrry.blogspot.ca/2013/12/dance-of-sugar-plums.html)
that was so last year :eyeroll:
:p
-
Ok, I am a pain in the butt. Any way to make them without almonds and without liquor?
-
Ok, I am a pain in the butt. Any way to make them without almonds and without liquor?
Sure, use other nuts, just have a total of 2 cups. Use orange or apple juice instead of liqueur, but maybe store in fridge right away? I think the juice substitution is common.
Similarly, use whatever dried fruit you want... I particularly like the ratios in the recipe, but I sometimes use sour cherries instead of cranberry. or dried pear instead of the dates.
-
I am not sure I will have time to try these, but I pinned them to my Pinterest holiday recipe board and hope to try them :)
-
UGHHHHH. DD wanted to make caramels for the weekend. It was hard but I finally found a decent looking recipe for ones that do not have corn syrup in them to make. (I am not eating grains and wanted to be able to taste test what i made and either corn or rice, it turns out, makes me REALLY itchy) I found a recipe on Smitten Kitchen for apple cider caramels. I have made several recipes from her site and all have been winners, so I trusted the recipe. It starts with reducing the apple cider in half, which took about 30-40 mins, then you stir in the rest of the ingredients and according to her recipe, bring up to 255F, 5 minutes, then they are done. I bought a candy thermometer which turns out SUCKS DONKEY BALLS (but seems like according to reviews most do, doh!) and it never went about 220. She also mentions if you do not have a candy thermometer you can put a spoon full of the caramel in a bowl of ice water and see what the consistency is and determine readiness from there. 10 minutes go by, 20 minutes go by....... I am starting to FREAK OUT. I google to try to find similar recipes, I scan the 1000+ comments on her recipe blog post and finally I find a similar recipe and the guy boils the mixture for FORTY FIVE minutes. HUGE difference, imo. After around 40ish minutes I poured them out into prepared 8x8 pans to set up. What I tasted was phenomenal. They are REALLY chewy, so probably will cut them very small. :fingers: they are good in the AM.
-
do you eat dairy, meri? does your daughter? this is a good recipe, if so: http://eatboutique.com/2012/10/24/homemade-caramel-candy/ (http://eatboutique.com/2012/10/24/homemade-caramel-candy/)
-
We generally do not eat dairy but she wanted to make this, so i bought butter and cream :panic:
:D
ETA-- does that say FIFTEEN cups of sugar or 1.5??? FIFTEEN :panic:
-
UGH!!!!! The caramels are REALLY hard :'( I may attempt a second batch tomorrow. They are delicious but hard. This was the recipe
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/ (http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/)
-
UGH!!!!! The caramels are REALLY hard :'( I may attempt a second batch tomorrow. They are delicious but hard. This was the recipe
http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/ (http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2012/10/apple-cider-caramels-the-book-is-here/)
I think 255 is a bit too hot for a chewy caramel. The apple cider reduction should probably come up to 255 or 265 (hard ball stage to just shy of soft crack stage), but after the butter etc. is mixed in, I would only bring it to the firm ball stage which is about 245.
technically, sugar doesn't caramelize until about 330F, but I wouldn't risk that will all the other contents of cider... beside, the cider has a lot of colour without caramelizing the sugar
-
I think 255 is a bit too hot for a chewy caramel. The apple cider reduction should probably come up to 255 or 265 (hard ball stage to just shy of soft crack stage), but after the butter etc. is mixed in, I would only bring it to the firm ball stage which is about 245.
technically, sugar doesn't caramelize until about 330F, but I wouldn't risk that will all the other contents of cider... beside, the cider has a lot of colour without caramelizing the sugar
How long should I cook it after I stir in the butter, cream, sugar? This seemed to have been the issue, i saw anywhere from 5-45 minutes. I was closer to the 45 min stage. Maybe closer to 25-30? UGH. I think I will try again. The therm never got to 245 and it was definitely a rolling boil. I think it was bad. (thermometer)
-
How long should I cook it after I stir in the butter, cream, sugar? This seemed to have been the issue, i saw anywhere from 5-45 minutes. I was closer to the 45 min stage. Maybe closer to 25-30? UGH. I think I will try again. The therm never got to 245 and it was definitely a rolling boil. I think it was bad. (thermometer)
there are a lot of bad thermometers out there... I prefer the ones like this:
(http://i5.walmartimages.com/dfw/dce07b8c-ce0e/k2-_baa20be0-e584-4d36-8c8e-ad1b6dc320f1.v1.jpg)
because they keep the thermometer tip off the bottom of the pot, are easy to read and generally easy to keep submerged in the liquid, also, about $15 IIRC... you also want to make sure you use a small enough pot to keep the liquid deep, if you can't properly submerge the tip without touching the bottom you won't get an accurate reading
the more concentrated the cider before you stir in the cream and butter, the shorter the time it will take to reach the right temp after...
-
That was the thermometer I used. I do not think the pot was too wide, it was tall as I did not want anything bubbling up and burning me, but not wide at all.
-
they are good right away, they just get better over a couple of weeks (in my opinion)... but you can absolutely serve them right away
Oh good. I thought I was too late.
-
That was the thermometer I used. I do not think the pot was too wide, it was tall as I did not want anything bubbling up and burning me, but not wide at all.
if the thermometer is a dud, you might be better off trusting the cold water test http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html (http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html)
I threw out 6 or 7 thermometers before the one I have... and the one I use is pretty accurate, but I still also test with water most of the time.
-
if the thermometer is a dud, you might be better off trusting the cold water test http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html (http://www.exploratorium.edu/cooking/candy/sugar-stages.html)
I threw out 6 or 7 thermometers before the one I have... and the one I use is pretty accurate, but I still also test with water most of the time.
I was doing the cold water method, and it seems to have been closer to stage 3 than 2, which is prob the issue.
-
We generally do not eat dairy but she wanted to make this, so i bought butter and cream :panic:
:D
ETA-- does that say FIFTEEN cups of sugar or 1.5??? FIFTEEN :panic:
LOL! no teeth for xmas.
1.5 cups.
-
Sometimes the foaming of the syrup in the sauce pot keeps the thermometer from reading accurately.
Re: Candy thermometer, I have given up using standard candy thermometer a long time ago because it's very hard to read. I also prefer to use Celcius reading because it's more accurate in my opinion. So I replaced my glass thermometer with digital. Even then, when your syrup foams too much, the thermometer reads the temp of the foam and not the syrup.
I suggest that you check the syrup temp by tipping the pot to one side so that the syrup collects at a level where the thermometer can be submerged in at least 1 inch of it. I also tend to remove my syrup about 2-3 deg C before my target temperature because I think there's a delay in the way my digital thermometer reads the temp. I have to cook my macaron syrup to about 118, with my new digital thermometer from Walmart, I have to remove it from heat when it reaches 116.
-
LOL! no teeth for xmas.
1.5 cups.
whew! I was worried!!
From what I am reading on line, most candy thermometers are crap, the tip was well submerged, not touching the bottom and it was not foaming for a while until i started losing my patients, since the recipe said 5 mins and i was pushing 40. THe caramel flavor is delightful and I will try again tomorrow. :fingers:
-
Trying again. Been boiling for 10+ minutes, thermometer only reading 210. Put spoonful in bowl of cold water and it completely dissolved to nothing, so hopefully 10 more minutes or so. :fingers:
-
Still dissolving in the water but I have to go to the bus stop in 5 minutes so I will have to put it by then!
-
batch #2 too soft :'( i knew it needed about 5 more minutes. This is getting expensive but I think I want to try ONE MORE TIME. And I almost missed the bus! It came 10 minutes early :e) I ran to the bus stop too. The flavor is amazing, I just got to get the cook right. I am pretty sure I was boiling it for 25-30 minutes, so somewhere between 30-40 must be the magic spot.
-
Is this thing on? HELLO????
Can I recook my not cooked enough caramels? Can I combine and cook the two batches and find a happy median? Or do I start from scratch?
-
Is this thing on? HELLO????
Can I recook my not cooked enough caramels? Can I combine and cook the two batches and find a happy median? Or do I start from scratch?
Yes, you can. Absolutely. I have saved many a batch of caramel sauces, even the ones that crystallized.I added water, boil together the good and the bad ones, simmer, and watched the thermometer carefully (like a hawk). Your flame or burner heat can hasten the time it takes to reach your target temp, but do lower it When it's around 10 deg c prior. The function of the thermometer is more important than the recommended time of cooking in the recipe, IMO.
-
I dumped them :( I will try tomorrow, did not make it to the store today. I knew it was a little undercooked yesterday but since batch 1 was so overdone I was hoping it would be ok. Hopefully third time is the charm. Also talking to a friend who does a lot of confections, she said not having corn syrup will make it much harder but corn or rice makes me itchy, not sure which one and I do not care to find out.
-
Ok, round 3 I think will be the one. It is in the fridge cooling now. I used the cold water method and it was a moldable amount of caramel. :fingers: :fingers: :fingers:
-
Perfectly delicious caramels! Picture when out on display :)
-
Everyone loved them! pics on my phone, will try to update tomorrow. Now I am all sad they are all gone, LOL!!!! I wrapped about 1000 pieces of caramel by hand. :panic:
-
I'm glad to see the caramel saga come to a happy end!
-
I'm glad to see the caramel saga come to a happy end!
Me too. Everyone seemed genuinely impressed with them. I think they had such a better flavor than regular caramels which generally taste like burnt sugar and butter to me!
You can see the wrapped ones, I should have counted, there was prob 150? And then some on the stand in paper cups for people to eat at the party. I was really happy i gave it one last try. They prob could have cooked for 1-2 minutes but I did not want to risk it.
(http://i65.tinypic.com/bhljrr.jpg)
-
Yesterday I made and decorated sugar cookies, spritz cookies using the cookie press, Swedish spice cookies, and grandma cookies. I also made some oatmeal chocolate chip for the husband.
Today I may make caramel corn and snickerdoodles.
-
This weekend I am going to make coconut macaroons and anise cookies.
My cookie gun is busted. The last time I tried to use it, I couldn't get it to work properly. I loved that thing and those cookies are so good!
-
This weekend I am going to make coconut macaroons and anise cookies.
My cookie gun is busted. The last time I tried to use it, I couldn't get it to work properly. I loved that thing and those cookies are so good!
That's weird. There isn't much mechanically to it. Mine only works with the recipes that came with it though. I tried to use a sugar cookie recipe with it once and it didn't work at all.
-
I can't remember what the problem was. I haven't pulled it out to look at it again. It's definitely picky about the dough. Even then it can take several efforts to get it to come out the way it should through the disk instead of a blob
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
the dough has to be JUST RIGHT and i like parchment paper to deposit the cookie onto. But yeah, some recipes just do not work with the press.
-
I made two batches of English toffee. The frist one looked great, but IMO, not good bec it had a hard candy texture while chewing on it. I was miffed because the recipe it called for had 3 tbsp corn syrup. I was hesitant to put that much into my syrup but did anyway. I think that was the culprit. Too bad because I feel that I wasted some very good chocolate in it (Valrhona).
The 2nd batch, I completely f-d up too, first by toasting the almond slivers too dark, then by cooking the syrup too dark which made it taste a bit bitter. The recipe that I used for the second one called for 2 tbsp of water. This made the syrup cook too fast and made the candy a lot darker than typical. Ugh. I like the 2nd recipe better thought. The texture is much better than the first one. It is crunchy, and does not turn into a chewy hard candy when you eat them. But melts in your mouth type of texture, and quite buttery. I spread it a bit thinner than I did the first one. And so it cracks too easily.
On to the third batch! This time I'll use the 2nd recipe but will cook the syrup in a smaller pot with enough water to dissolve the sugar and butter before allowing it to caramelize to the right color. Oh the 2nd recipe calls for brown sugar instead of white granular, and 1 stick less butter and 1 tbsp corn syrup plus a bit of baking soda which I believe created the crunchy texture.
-
Good luck, it took three batches for me to get the caramels right, but was well worth it.
-
it's that time of year again, so bumping this up.
I made some candied citrus peel yesterday... it's still sitting in the syrup, I will dry and sugar it later in the week. The whole point of doing it though is that I'm going to try my hand at panforte this year.
-
Along with candied ginger, candied citrus is up there with my favorite things (strips half dipped in dark chocolate ... :>D:)
-
Along with candied ginger, candied citrus is up there with my favorite things (strips half dipped in dark chocolate ... :>D:)
I never thought of candying my own ginger!
-
Yep, we candy oranges and dip half of each one in dark chocolate.
-
I never thought of candying my own ginger!
Try and tell me how it works! ... I just get it on bulk from a mail order slice shop in nyc.
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
So far I've made (easy) fudge, and took most of it to a party. I'm having a hard time deciding what else to make, since it's just the two of us. It's not so easy to make a few of each of the things I'd like to eat this time of year - frosted sugar cookies, peanut butter balls, and I could go on...
-
For my cookie exchange I made coconut macaroons drizzled with chocolate and for DD's submission we made cookies and cream cookies, basically like a choc chip cookie but crushed oreo like cookies instead of chips.
-
we are doing italian vegetarian christmas this year, so after much humming and hawing, I offered to make lasagna for the main. It is cooked and in the freezer right now, layers from the bottom up: rosemary-roasted white, cremini, and portabello mushrooms, citrus-thyme ricotta, baby kale and carmelized shallot, sage-roasted butternut squash and roasted garlic; noodles handmade; mushroom and shallot layers have garlic-tomato sauce, squash layer has bechamel sauce. It took me three days to make (thank geezus I didn't wait for xmas eve to make it!). I will probably cry if it doesn't taste good. :d
my better half made dark chocolate and pistachio biscotti on the weekend :heartbeat:
later in the week, I will make a semifreddo with italian meringue, whipped cream, ricotta, candied citrus peel, candied ginger and dark chocolate pieces
-
omg! that sounds amazing.
-
Holy shit. I would lay down that lasagna and make sweet love to it.
-
I'm curious how your lasagna turns out CG. There seems to be a lot of different flavors going on there.
I head up to my parents' house on Friday. I've promised my brother a very chocolate dessert, perhaps flourless chocolate cake?
-
I think I may make the dacquoise for Christmas dinner Monday with the family. I may make it Sat-Sun since it takes so long and it always tastes best the next day.
-
I want that lasagna!
-
Forgot to add that the other day at Wegmans, at 7:50am, on my way into work, I spotted gluten free phyllo dough which turned out to be grain free! I used it to make a tomato tart at my party and it was excellent, now I can put phyllo recipes back on the menu :D
-
Forgot to add that the other day at Wegmans, at 7:50am, on my way into work, I spotted gluten free phyllo dough which turned out to be grain free! I used it to make a tomato tart at my party and it was excellent, now I can put phyllo recipes back on the menu :D
Can you post the brand or a photo of the box?!?
I LOVE phyllo and was about to delete a bunch of saved recipes to do over or try new.
-
posting from my flight from AVL to YYT. Someone please get CG's address for me before I land...
-
Can you post the brand or a photo of the box?!?
I LOVE phyllo and was about to delete a bunch of saved recipes to do over or try new.
It is made with potato starch, not sure if you can do nightshades.
http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/geefree-puff-pastry-glutenfree-sheets-frozen-unit-p-3515.html (http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/geefree-puff-pastry-glutenfree-sheets-frozen-unit-p-3515.html)
Wegmans had it by me! It was not perfect but was close enough to be enjoyable. I was going to make phyllo tomato tarts anyways and ended up making 2 regular and 2 GF.
-
It is made with potato starch, not sure if you can do nightshades.
http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/geefree-puff-pastry-glutenfree-sheets-frozen-unit-p-3515.html (http://www.glutenfreemall.com/catalog/geefree-puff-pastry-glutenfree-sheets-frozen-unit-p-3515.html)
Wegmans had it by me! It was not perfect but was close enough to be enjoyable. I was going to make phyllo tomato tarts anyways and ended up making 2 regular and 2 GF.
Awesome!! I'll order (closest Wegmans is close to an hour). The only thing my son can't have besides gluten is oat (and once he's older we can see if GF oats will be okay for him so hopefully that restriction is short lived ... I do fine with them)
Are people allergic to all nightshades, including potato? That makes GF seem easy!
-
Awesome!! I'll order (closest Wegmans is close to an hour). The only thing my son can't have besides gluten is oat (and once he's older we can see if GF oats will be okay for him so hopefully that restriction is short lived ... I do fine with them)
Are people allergic to all nightshades, including potato? That makes GF seem easy!
Yes! One of my closest friends has colitis and she cannot eat gluten or any nightshades, which includes potatoes (not sweet potatoes though). No tomatoes!
-
I'm curious how your lasagna turns out CG. There seems to be a lot of different flavors going on there.
I know, it's kind of the antithesis to Italian cooking, but it's a feast meal... I initially thought I'd do a red-white-green timpano, so when I scaled back to lasagna, I still had that in mind. From the surplus stuff after assembling, I made a small lasagna which we ate last night... it was relatively heavy on the baby kale and bechamel and didn't have any carmelized shallot, but it was good! The citrus-y ricotta was my biggest concern, but it worked really well... leaning heavily on orange was probably smart.
I head up to my parents' house on Friday. I've promised my brother a very chocolate dessert, perhaps flourless chocolate cake?
I think flourless chocolate cake gives about the best chocolate flavour you can get without having an actual piece of chocolate, so I think it's a really good choice.
-
I think flourless chocolate cake gives about the best chocolate flavour you can get without having an actual piece of chocolate, so I think it's a really good choice.
Plus, it's easy. :D And my brother isn't picky - he just wants a straight shot of chocolate to his veins.
-
I want that lasagna!
Ditto.
-
Holy shit. I would lay down that lasagna and make sweet love to it.
:roll:
I'm curious how your lasagna turns out CG. There seems to be a lot of different flavors going on there.
I head up to my parents' house on Friday. I've promised my brother a very chocolate dessert, perhaps flourless chocolate cake?
My all time favorite flourless chocolate dessert:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831 (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831)
-
my better half did a trial run with this clementine cake last night: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016184-clementine-cake (http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016184-clementine-cake)
instead of ganache, she piled up candied citrus peel and drizzled some chocolate over it... which was all very nice... but holy mother of all things good and lovely, the cake itself is so delicious, it didn't need any of it (trial run = success; this is what we will bring to our New Year's day thing)
-
:roll:
My all time favorite flourless chocolate dessert:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831 (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831)
Pinning recipe!
-
:roll:
My all time favorite flourless chocolate dessert:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831 (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/la-bete-noire-235831)
Ganache makes everything better!
my better half did a trial run with this clementine cake last night: http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016184-clementine-cake (http://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1016184-clementine-cake)
instead of ganache, she piled up candied citrus peel and drizzled some chocolate over it... which was all very nice... but holy mother of all things good and lovely, the cake itself is so delicious, it didn't need any of it (trial run = success; this is what we will bring to our New Year's day thing)
I made a similar version from Nigella. :whoa: Tossed the whole thing. Granted, I don't like orange marmalade so I probably shouldn't have bothered with this one. It did smell good whilst baking, however.
-
I've made Nigella's Clementine cake several times, and liked it. I never iced it.
-
yes, I love Nigella's version. You can't eat it the same day though; it has to rest.
-
Spawn the Elder kindly made cranberry kringle-babka for JülakkuhsolstiXmas breakfast.
The base is a cardamom-spiced yeast dough that is chilled overnight then rolled out.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-bwRx2zB/0/S/i-bwRx2zB-S.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-bwRx2zB/A)
A slab of marzipan (he makes his own using almond powder, sugar, and egg white) is then rolled out and placed on the dough. A filling of cranberries, chopped almonds, orange liqueur (Triple Sec or Cointreau - he used Solerno, a blood-orange liqueur because that's what I have on hand), sugar, and egg white is placed on top of that, and then rolled up, like a babka.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-8w66kqt/0/S/i-8w66kqt-S.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-8w66kqt/A)
Here are the 2 filled rolls. I wasn't able to snap any pics of the assembly, which involves slicing each roll vertically in 2 parts, turning each part so that the dough sides touch, then twisting these around one another, like a kringle. The cranberries were trying to make daring bids for freedom, so Spawn the Elder suggested that the camera and I get the fuck right out of the kitchen because I was unnerving him. The twists are topped with yet more sugar, another egg white, and sliced almonds.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Hw4Qrkg/0/S/i-Hw4Qrkg-S.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-Hw4Qrkg/A)
Here's an assembled kringle-babka before it goes into the oven (this is the k-b he made for co-workers a couple of weeks ago).
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-n7q2Mq3/0/S/i-n7q2Mq3-S.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-n7q2Mq3/A)
And here's the cranberry kringle-babka out of the oven. Once it has rested and cooled a bit, Spawn the Elder drizzles a frosting made with fresh-squeezed lemon juice, powdered sugar, and a dash of orange liqueur over the kringle-babka.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-K5t2wPt/0/M/i-K5t2wPt-M.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-K5t2wPt/A)
Breakfast was a slice of this beautiful monster, still warm and a bit like pudding in the center (supposed to be like that), washed down with hot coffee. The tart cranberries provide a counterpoint to the intense sweetness and richness, and a serving probably has, like, 4000 kcal/slice, but oh, so good.
-
:heartbeat:
-
OMG, that sounds awesome, CRB!
I just pulled an apple cranberry currant crumble pie out of the oven. Smells so good!
Recipe: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_currant_crumble_pie/ (http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_currant_crumble_pie/)
-
sounds amazing CRB!! as does that, SG
I'm sort of wanting to bake sugar cookies (I think we have Chanukah cutters here somewhere) and decorate them tomorrow, but not fully wanting to deal with the mess that DD will inevitably make. We'll see...
-
Have I shared this recipe for chickpea crackers (http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2015/06/sublime-chickpea-crackers.html)?
A local friend made some for me and I went googling for an approximation. They're very, very good. We eat them plain but I'd love them with a tapenade or white bean dip.
-
Have I shared this recipe for chickpea crackers (http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2015/06/sublime-chickpea-crackers.html)?
A local friend made some for me and I went googling for an approximation. They're very, very good. We eat them plain but I'd love them with a tapenade or white bean dip.
pinned!
-
:)
-
I will try those, dev. Thanks for sharing
-
you're welcome. they're super delicious.
The reason for making them this time is kind of funny: my DH isn't very good at being doctor google. He told me the other day that he was sure he had a malady that is VERY serious because of symptoms he's been having. Based on the symptoms he described (GI, will spare you the details) I could tell that he was experiencing 2 different problems, not related and both very common. So I gave him the schpiel about hearing hoof beats and assuming horses and not zebras. ;)
We went over the things he had added to his diet lately and the culprit seemed to be pears: They've been trucking in comice pears (my fave and we never used to get them loose here!!) and DH has been eating them like candy for a snack at night. He didn't believe me when I told him pears in that qty could cause his symptoms but begrudgingly agreed to stop eating them. After 24 hours, digestive symptoms already going away. And in the meantime I made him these to snack on.
luckily we grow really, really nice apples in our area and he'll eat those
-
OMG, that sounds awesome, CRB!
I just pulled an apple cranberry currant crumble pie out of the oven. Smells so good!
Recipe: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_currant_crumble_pie/ (http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/apple_cranberry_currant_crumble_pie/)
sounds amazing CRB!! as does that, SG
That kringle-babka is pretty decadent. Spawn the Elder is hanging out with friends today and took the rest (about a third) to them.
SG and D, I have bookmarked both the apple cranberry currant pie and chickpea cracker recipes. Both look really good!
-
I made a generic Philadelphia cheesecake using the Kraft recipe. I NAILED the cooling down (no cracks!) It was tasty with strawberry balsamic glaze.
-
I bought chickpea flour to try the crackers but I don't have any ground flax. Dang it!
-
I bet it would turn out ok without it
-
CRB that looks amazing. I'm also impressed with his talent for baking.
I made a blueberry coffee cake from Ina Garten the other day. It was delicious! Then I made raspberry cheesecake cupcakes that were absolutely divine. Everything is gone now though. :(
I did share though.
-
Have I shared this recipe for chickpea crackers (http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2015/06/sublime-chickpea-crackers.html)?
A local friend made some for me and I went googling for an approximation. They're very, very good. We eat them plain but I'd love them with a tapenade or white bean dip.
I made these and they are DELICIOUS!
-
aren't they??? :) glad you liked them!
-
Have I shared this recipe for chickpea crackers (http://benandbirdy.blogspot.com/2015/06/sublime-chickpea-crackers.html)?
A local friend made some for me and I went googling for an approximation. They're very, very good. We eat them plain but I'd love them with a tapenade or white bean dip.
I finally made these! I really need to buy some new silpats mine are just beat up and the crackers KIND of stuck. They did pop off but they left kind of a film.
Anyway-- my first impression was that they were kind of woody in texture but pretty tasty. But, BF loves them and they are growing on me. We've been eating taco salad all weekend and he was lamenting the lack of crispy bread items in the salad so this really hit the spot for him on that.
I like the idea of eating them with tapenade. I brought them with lunch today which is hummus and veggies and it feels a little redundant!
-
yes, I agree with hummus. tapenade next time. or vegetarian chopped liver! I had some last night at a dinner party and it was delicious.
-
Veggie liver? Lol! How does that work??
-
I know! Usually it's a combo of hard boiled eggs, peas or green beans (or both), some walnuts, etc ground up. It's really delicious if done well. Here's a recipe from a poster I like but I need to get the recipe from the other night because it was exceptional:
http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/07/aunt-bevs-vegetarian-chopped-liver/ (http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/07/aunt-bevs-vegetarian-chopped-liver/)
-
I know! Usually it's a combo of hard boiled eggs, peas or green beans (or both), some walnuts, etc ground up. It's really delicious if done well. Here's a recipe from a poster I like but I need to get the recipe from the other night because it was exceptional:
http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/07/aunt-bevs-vegetarian-chopped-liver/ (http://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/2012/07/aunt-bevs-vegetarian-chopped-liver/)
Pinned to try!
-
annual bump!
anyone trying something new this year?
-
https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-apple-amp-cinnamon-infused-bourbon-recipes-from-the-kitchn-213551 (https://www.thekitchn.com/recipe-apple-amp-cinnamon-infused-bourbon-recipes-from-the-kitchn-213551)
We have ^^^ that infusing in the basement
-
I have to make mac and cheese for a potluck tomorrow for DH's tennis league.
DD and I am making cookies for a cookie exchange tomorrow night. The girls try to one up each other every year and it is all about appearances. Sometimes I hate pinterest!
I have to make pumpkin bars, bacon breadsticks and roasted brussels sprouts for a party we are hosting on Sunday. It should be around 50 people and every family brings something but I have also ordered lasagna and eggplant parmesan from a local restaurant because I don't.have.time.to.cook.more.than.I.am.
And next weekend, we will make the usual holiday cookies and spread them around the neighborhood.
And I haven't even thought about Christmas dinner. I wanted our usual shrimp and grits for Christmas eve but that got voted down. Seafood is a tradition so we need to agree on something else!
-
Attempting for Christmas dinner: https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/03/chocolate-hazelnut-macaroon-torte/
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
Attempting for Christmas dinner: https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/03/chocolate-hazelnut-macaroon-torte/
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
Dacquoise! I have made the America's test kitchen one several times. It is a looooong process but so worth it. Once I have made it once, I have been able to premake parts of it for ease, otherwise it is a full day activity.
I have a cookie exchange at my house this weekend, DD and I made and wrapped 189 apple cider caramels :e) Cookies will be made tomorrow and food prepped and made Saturday night and Sunday.
-
I hope not all day. My MIL will be here and anytime I spend more than 20 min in the kitchen she goes on about "sooooo much WORK"
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
Meri, is ATK recipe GF?
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
Meri, is ATK recipe GF?
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
Yes! Dacquoise are meringue based. I cannot eat almonds so i did all hazelnuts. It is one of the most delicious things I have ever eaten. It tastes better the next day too
-
Here is the ATK version
http://riascollection.blogspot.com/2014/02/chocolate-espresso-dacquoiseas-we-turn-4.html (http://riascollection.blogspot.com/2014/02/chocolate-espresso-dacquoiseas-we-turn-4.html)
-
We are forgoing the traditional goose this year on Xmas eve, to make life easier since MIL is recently out of the hospital. Instead we are having steamed lobsters.
We always bring the first course, and we usually do a cold seafood salad, but we will change that up, too and I'm going to make chowder instead. I have a good NE clam chowder recipe, but I was thinking of doing a corn chowder instead. Anyone have a good recipe for that?
-
Preparing steamed lobsters doesn't sound easier to me, but I'm not well-practiced in seafood preparation!
-
Preparing steamed lobsters doesn't sound easier to me, but I'm not well-practiced in seafood preparation!
Haha yeah we are new englanders, making lobsters is as easy as making ramen noodles for us.
-
My fruitcake is in the oven. And oh my, was the batter delicious. It is a Portuguese custom to have Bolo de Rei cake from 12/25-1/6. Fruitcake is basically this! When I was putting together the dried and candy fruit to steep, I took a bite and was transported back to my childhood. My grandmother used to make fruitcake cookies that were awesome and send us a big box on a regular basis.
-
I love holiday memories like that.
We have the cake and filling made for a Bouche de Noel. Will assemble and make the frosting tomorrow morning for friends coming over tomorrow at lunchtime.
-
Attempting for Christmas dinner: https://smittenkitchen.com/2013/03/chocolate-hazelnut-macaroon-torte/
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
Success! Next time might be better. Screwed up a bit and three thicker vs. four thin layers but yum! (Ended up xmas eve dinner.)
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
nice!
-
Success! Next time might be better. Screwed up a bit and three thicker vs. four thin layers but yum! (Ended up xmas eve dinner.)
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
It is a labor of love indeed. No chocolate ganache on top? It tastes better the next day. I hope everyone enjoyed it :)
-
Teetime, that looks delicious.
I had a special request for Chocolate Pots de Crème, which are easy peasy. I am happy. We are doing prime rib, asparagus, salad, mashed potatoes and then, that. T-giving was such a splash out, I am taking it easy for Christmas. Plus, I have had a houseful to cook for since late last week...
-
We are grilling rib eyes and serving with mashed potatoes, creamed spinach (my granny's recipe), blau kraut (MIL's recipe), and green beans (kids' choice). But first we have to eat a whole bunch of snacks!
-
I made a bundt cake and it won't come out of the pan :'(
-
Oh no meri! Did you get it out in one piece? Or many pieces and extra frosting?
Our bouche de Noel turned out nicely. And everyone thought it delicious. DD was very pleased.
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171225/27f0282e8300ed0475b696e3a322890a.jpg)
-
Sadly I tried a few things and nothing worked :(
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20171225/3621bdfcf6d5f55951a40d725c00eef8.jpg)
It tastes good! Lol
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
that's what counts :)
-
But I cannot bring it to xmas dinner tomorrow :(
-
But I cannot bring it to xmas dinner tomorrow :(
Break it up and make it into a trifle.
-
Break it up and make it into a trifle.
I made a new gingerbread cake in a square dish. I put the destroyed one in a Tupperware container and will think about what to do with it even if I cut it up and bring it to work.
-
trifle is a great idea!
-
I did not get the time to bake as much as I wanted since my mom was severely injured in a car accident a couple of weeks ago and I have been looking after her farm and back and forth to hospital but I made these this morning again and they are amazing. I add some espresso powder to mine. https://food52.com/recipes/19209-divine-gluten-free-chocolate-cookies-no-seriously
I wish I could take that gingerbread off your hands and into my mouth, Meri! :D
-
I made a bacon cheesecake. Basically a normal cheesecake, but I I fried a package of maple bacon and cut it up and put it in the cheesecake. I also used 3 tsp of bourbon instead of 2 tsp of vanilla extra. And drizzles a maple, bourbon, & sea salt sauce/partial-reduction on top. It was yummy. But I already have ideas for next time to get a little more bourbon & maple flavor without overpowering the bacon. There is room for additional sweetness without getting two sweet. Of course, "next time" may be awhile.
https://scontent.fatl1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/25659757_10212762289165107_5883063009704158505_n.jpg?oh=0bab5ef9d909f7f38d5de9522e7b23ed&oe=5AFE5F9F
-
Our apple cinnamon bourbon turned out yummy!
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p526x296/26112329_10156526038804119_4799068416689652679_n.jpg?oh=e87864928624c320114423f07f270eb1&oe=5AFF1B09)
It was expensive though so I don't think we'll give it to people again who didn't seem that enthusiastic about it.
-
I'd love that gift!
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
-
forget those unappreciative bastages and send it to meeeee
-
Our apple cinnamon bourbon turned out yummy!
(https://scontent-atl3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-0/p526x296/26112329_10156526038804119_4799068416689652679_n.jpg?oh=e87864928624c320114423f07f270eb1&oe=5AFF1B09)
It was expensive though so I don't think we'll give it to people again who didn't seem that enthusiastic about it.
impressed!
-
I ended up making a simple gingerbread cake in a brownie pan and it is delicious.
-
That's the fun thing about infusions-- they seem so impressive-- but it's the simplest thing. Now I want to infuse everything. :d
-
That's the fun thing about infusions-- they seem so impressive-- but it's the simplest thing. Now I want to infuse everything. :d
Infuse vodka with coffee. Then drink it with A&W cream soda. You're welcome.
If you infuse vodka with jalapeno, don't overdo it. It doesn't take much and it doesn't take long. Jalapeno vodka is good for bloody marys and good with pineapple.
-
We don't drink much vodka. But, I am excited to infuse rum with pineapple! and coconut, maybe. And gin with cucumber, dill, and maybe something spicey.
-
I don't drink much vodka either, but alcohol that tastes like coffee is the shizzle. I'll bet a coffee whisky would be good, but with the vodka, you really mainly taste the coffee.
-
I'd love that gift!
Sent from my SCH-I435 using Tapatalk
Me too!
-
annual bump so we don't lose the thread
We are cooking the bon appetit cookies this year... have not yet got to the chocolate-tahini linzer cookies, but so far the big star are the double pecan thumbprints (https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/double-pecan-thumbprints)
-
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20181225/604bb414b4e6b635fe2d78bd6981bdd3.jpg)
Spawn the Elder's cranberry kringle-babka.
-
That's gorgeous, Doc!
I made this bread for breakfast today:
https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cranberry_nut_bread/ (https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/cranberry_nut_bread/)
-
I really want to try this! https://smittenkitchen.com/2016/12/homemade-irish-cream/
-
bumping for 2019 contributions! what's new on deck?
-
Was just going to sit down today to start my list for my annual cookie exchange which is next weekend the 15th.
-
I'm making my traditional sticky buns for xmas morning and a blueberry pie for xmas eve dinner at my sister's house. Other than that, I don't have a whole lot of baking planned. Sis is making the xmas eve dinner and for the next day it is just DH and I so there will be charcuterie and bloody marys and we will cook up something for dinner. DH wants a lamb chop. I hate lamb so will probably do a steak. I debated making cookies but don't have many people to pawn them off on and don't want them in the house.
-
I'm vegetarian and it is a traditional Turkey dinner for family Xmas so I may bring this:
https://www.littlebroken.com/butternut-squash-cranberry-quinoa-salad/
DD is making a version of this:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/mint-brownie-and-oreo-hot-fudge-trifle-with-minty-cream-cheese-whipped-cream/
I may make this, narrowing it down
https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/cranberry-christmas-cake/
-
last night I made a custard for salted eggnog ice cream, which I will freeze tonight... if the custard is anything to go by, this may end up being my best homemade ice cream yet
9 egg yolks
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. cream
2 c. eggnog
seeds scraped from 1/2 vanilla bean pod
1/2 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 tsp kosher salt
I made a custard with the yolks, sugar, cream, eggnog, and vanilla (whisk yolks and sugar together, add the rest, heat up slowly until thick), then stirred in the nutmeg and salt... it's super rich but amazingly delcious... as a hot custard, it would be really good poured over christmas pudding or pretty much any cake, or served with red wine poached pears.
I am using it for ice cream sandwiches made with molasses and ginger spice cookies.
-
I'm picking up 12 (!) pounds of prime sirloin (6 pound roast for Xmas dinner and the rest cut into steaks to be frozen) later this morning from this neighborhood treasure: Tony's Market (https://www.wcvb.com/article/tony-meat-market-new-england-roslindale-mass/15462165#). I missed his opera night the week before last because of a scheduling conflict.
Plans include baking a sweet potato-pecan pie (adapted from a Paul Prudhomme recipe) later today.
-
I have half a loaf of French bread that went stale, so I will probably make a bread pudding. Not for anything in particular though. I just have to decide when I'll make it because I think you have to soak the bread overnight.
-
I absolutely adore Paul Prudhomme :-* He and Alton are my faves :heartbeat:
RG I love making bourbon bread pudding. Now I may have to do that this weekend.
-
Needing inspiration on dessert!
Tonight, we are having lobster tail and steaks, fried cabbage, broccoli and not sure what else.
-
Ooh we are doing surf and turf, too, Jan. Lobsters and ribeye! Plus New England clam chowder.
We don’t have a dessert game plan. I told BIL to bring dessert, but he is already bringing a LOAF OF BREAD so it seems his work is done this holiday season.
-
Nice!
-
sounds like it might feel a bit heavy after the surf & turf + cruciferous vegetables? How about a pavlova with something citrusy on top or key lime pie minus the whipped cream?
-
Needing inspiration on dessert!
Tonight, we are having lobster tail and steaks, fried cabbage, broccoli and not sure what else.
Made this last night! We are having a xmas themed Hannukah dinner with my fam ;)
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/935f0e94f20f9aff1634c06340c8619b.jpg)
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
-
More elegant before adding reindeer.
But easy and easy to make gluten free (used gf pretzels for the crust) if needed. NOT light which is why we are having it tonight vs tomorrow when we'll hang out and have food all day.(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/281d3f021e92d6401a43651cd2c824b0.jpg)(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20191224/74bf9510030a664a9fc370f056ef54d5.jpg)
Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk
-
love it!
-
this is in the oven:
https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/cranberry-christmas-cake/
DD is making this:
https://www.melskitchencafe.com/mint-brownie-and-oreo-hot-fudge-trifle-with-minty-cream-cheese-whipped-cream/
and I am making this for my personal consumption, not to bring to family Xmas tomorrow
https://www.dishingdelish.com/gluten-free-lemon-poppy-seed-angel-food-cake/#wprm-recipe-container-7929
-
The lemon poppy seed angel food cake was really good HOWEVER maybe someone can help me. The last many things I made in the bundt pan did NOT release. Do I need a new bundt pan? I was able to wiggle this out and not destroy it but remembered the last few things were destroyed upon removal. The pan is old and the surface feels rough after cleaning.
-
sounds like it might feel a bit heavy after the surf & turf + cruciferous vegetables? How about a pavlova with something citrusy on top or key lime pie minus the whipped cream?
I ended up making a cranberry lime tart that never set, so it really was a cranberry lime fool. :D Still tasty.
Teetime, that is adorable. I bet the kids loved it!
Today, I am finally making a fruit cake - or some variation of it. I used the Betty Crocker Light Fruitcake as a base recipe, but only added the green candied cherries (because that is what I had from last year!), and very old dried mango, apricots and golden raisins which I soaked for 2-3 days in a mix of dark run and triple sec. I also found coconut in my cabinet. Didn't have enough white sugar so used a combo of white sugar, lime sugar (leftover from the aforementioned lime cranberry tart) and brown sugar. I also added cinnamon. It is baking now, but the batter was FABULOUS. I think I have it dried all over my face. Maybe I will call this Christmas Garbage Cake!
-
I absolutely adore Paul Prudhomme :-* He and Alton are my faves :heartbeat:
RG I love making bourbon bread pudding. Now I may have to do that this weekend.
It's not pretty, but it was tasty! The pecans came from a place (Priester's) in AL that my friends who used to live in Huntsville introduced me to. The nuts were fresh and gave a great result.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-hrvGGtD/0/e7193eb0/S/i-hrvGGtD-S.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-hrvGGtD/A)
We really like Prudhomme's recipes, too. The Mister often makes chicken sauce piquant, jambalaya, Cajun shepherd's pie, and shrimp etouffee from our well-worn Louisiana Kitchen cookbook. Spawn the Elder gave his dad Prudhomme's Seasoned America (now out of print so DS bought it on eBay) for Xmas this year, and I notice that DH has already bookmarked a couple of recipes.
-
It looks delicious. Doesn't have to be pretty; it's dark where it's going. :d
And Jan your cake sounds great too. Can't wait to hear about the results. Now I'm craving fruit cake again.
-
The cranberry cake was a HUGE hit and even my bf ate what I brought back last night, he does not eat sweets, and loved it.
-
Think I will make this NY day.
https://toriavey.com/toris-kitchen/vegan-hoppin-john/#wprm-recipe-container-44641
-
I love Tori Avey's recipes :heartbeat:
-
bump because 'tis the season
-
Thanks for the bump.
I need Christmas eve dinner ideas please! Only three of us so no need for a huge meal with apps, etc. Must contain seafood of some sort. I really want to do shrimp and grits but DD no longer likes grits and I don't really want to do shrimp and grits for the two of us and shrimp something for her. She requested fish tacos but I make those at least once a month - I want it to be at least a little bit special. And DH doesn't want a soup or stew - I suggested a fish chowder and that got a thumbs down from both. GAH!
-
Thanks for the bump.
I need Christmas eve dinner ideas please! Only three of us so no need for a huge meal with apps, etc. Must contain seafood of some sort. I really want to do shrimp and grits but DD no longer likes grits and I don't really want to do shrimp and grits for the two of us and shrimp something for her. She requested fish tacos but I make those at least once a month - I want it to be at least a little bit special. And DH doesn't want a soup or stew - I suggested a fish chowder and that got a thumbs down from both. GAH!
a few years ago... 2013 or 2014?.. when La Cucina Italiana was still doing an english print magazine, there was a special 7 course fish meal for xmas eve... what I remember best was the sunflower-seed crusted salt cod served with (I think) romesco sauce. I made it a couple of times as a starter (so way small pieces) for dinner parties.
Salt cod is difficult to eat in large quantities, but it would definitely work with fresh cod or another white fish. Dredge in salted and peppered flour, dredge one side only in beaten egg, press egg side into hulled sunflower seeds. Pan-fry seed side down, turning when well browned to finish on the seed-free side. Plate romesco sauce, top with cod seed-side-up.
For romesco, I've successfully used the bon appetit recipe, also this Serious Eats recipe https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2019/06/romesco-sauce-recipe.html... the best one I ever did was from a vegan blog that I can't find now.
-
Shrimp and cauliflower grits?
-
a few years ago... 2013 or 2014?.. when La Cucina Italiana was still doing an english print magazine, there was a special 7 course fish meal for xmas eve... what I remember best was the sunflower-seed crusted salt cod served with (I think) romesco sauce. I made it a couple of times as a starter (so way small pieces) for dinner parties.
Salt cod is difficult to eat in large quantities, but it would definitely work with fresh cod or another white fish. Dredge in salted and peppered flour, dredge one side only in beaten egg, press egg side into hulled sunflower seeds. Pan-fry seed side down, turning when well browned to finish on the seed-free side. Plate romesco sauce, top with cod seed-side-up.
For romesco, I've successfully used the bon appetit recipe, also this Serious Eats recipe https://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2019/06/romesco-sauce-recipe.html... the best one I ever did was from a vegan blog that I can't find now.
That sounds delicious. Thank you!
Shrimp and cauliflower grits?
No. We already eat lots of cauliflower (DH is very low carb) and he already said he will splurge on Christmas. :D
-
That sounds delicious. Thank you!
No. We already eat lots of cauliflower (DH is very low carb) and he already said he will splurge on Christmas. :D
How about garlic shrimp risotto? I shared my recipe for this somewhere on the Food Forum. I also make a variation of it using New England lobster, but you have the benefit of bona fide Gulf shrimp!
ETA: And I just read that your DH prefers very low carb. The above is NOT that. Never mind...
:sneaking:
Also ETAing after looking at the risotto thread in which you note you make risotto with shrimp and peas in the Instant Pot. So garlic shrimp risotto isn't special.
Maybe a variation of monkfish marsala (http://rachelellner.com/1_food_travel/18_marsala_brings_out_the_beauty_in_monkfish.html) but with a fish native to FL?
-
He is OK with carbs for the holiday. A risotto might might be the ticket! I will research.
Marsala might be good too! Hmmm.
Thank you!
-
Risotto is my favorite. I made a really easy one in the IP a few months ago, I can dig out the recipe if you are interested.
-
Shrimp and risotto would be excellent.
As long as you're carbing out and edging Cajun, a bourbon bread pudding is a great dessert. I've used the Paula Dean bread pudding recipe with some modifications - and you can totally throw in most kinds of random bread - we've intermixed 1/2 Italian bread and 1/2 banana bread, for example when the boyfriend had made some banana bread that wasn't quite right.
-
Shrimp and risotto would be excellent.
As long as you're carbing out and edging Cajun, a bourbon bread pudding is a great dessert. I've used the Paula Dean bread pudding recipe with some modifications - and you can totally throw in most kinds of random bread - we've intermixed 1/2 Italian bread and 1/2 banana bread, for example when the boyfriend had made some banana bread that wasn't quite right.
Oooh I have a banana bread in the freezer from when DH made a double batch. I bet a banana bread bread pudding would be amazing.
-
I haven't even gotten to dessert yet! Or Christmas breakfast...or Christmas dinner. Oy!
-
I haven't even gotten to dessert yet! Or Christmas breakfast...or Christmas dinner. Oy!
I am making a ricotta-based semifreddo for dessert, with shaved dark chocolate and candied peel in it.
I'm having carpal tunnel surgery on Dec 22nd, so I am trying to do what can be done ahead of time ahead of time. That means this weekend I have to dig up horseradish to prepare, figure out a good way to do a make-ahead beef gravy or jus or some kind of good sauce for roast beef. On Christmas day, Susie will have to do all the cooking but we're trying to keep it easy. Prime rib roast, roasted potatoes, green beans, yorkshire puddings... mushrooms au vin for the vegetarians. She wants to do a first course of some sort, but can't decide what. I offered to make a carrot-ginger soup but she said, "it's not 1995 anymore".
-
I am making a ricotta-based semifreddo for dessert, with shaved dark chocolate and candied peel in it.
I'm having carpal tunnel surgery on Dec 22nd, so I am trying to do what can be done ahead of time ahead of time. That means this weekend I have to dig up horseradish to prepare, figure out a good way to do a make-ahead beef gravy or jus or some kind of good sauce for roast beef. On Christmas day, Susie will have to do all the cooking but we're trying to keep it easy. Prime rib roast, roasted potatoes, green beans, yorkshire puddings... mushrooms au vin for the vegetarians. She wants to do a first course of some sort, but can't decide what. I offered to make a carrot-ginger soup but she said, "it's not 1995 anymore".
:roll:
Bummer about the carpal tunnel, bou! Hope it's not going to be a lot of downtime for you.
My first course for the holidays is often a seafood bisque type of thing. I also have a good cold shimp/calimari/scallop salad people like a lot.
-
:roll:
Bummer about the carpal tunnel, bou! Hope it's not going to be a lot of downtime for you.
My first course for the holidays is often a seafood bisque type of thing. I also have a good cold shimp/calimari/scallop salad people like a lot.
thanks... from what I've heard, I am optimistic I'll be back at work a couple of weeks post-surgery... the symptoms were very manageable for about 6 years, but have become really bad... I can only use my computer mouse for a few seconds at a time without pain, I get strong electric pulses in my palm when I turn doorknobs, I am constantly dropping stuff if I'm trying to hold it in my right hand (I just can't keep a grip)... so it's definitely time to try surgery. I'll probably regret having not done it sooner, but I can't fix that now!
-
thanks... from what I've heard, I am optimistic I'll be back at work a couple of weeks post-surgery... the symptoms were very manageable for about 6 years, but have become really bad... I can only use my computer mouse for a few seconds at a time without pain, I get strong electric pulses in my palm when I turn doorknobs, I am constantly dropping stuff if I'm trying to hold it in my right hand (I just can't keep a grip)... so it's definitely time to try surgery. I'll probably regret having not done it sooner, but I can't fix that now!
Yikes! Glad you’re getting it taken care of.
-
Yikes boo!
I think I might try a grouper something or other for main course on Christmas eve. Local and fresh. Something different.
Dessert might be la bete noire. I haven't made one in a long time.
Christmas might be steaks of some sort - just received a shipment from Snake River Farms - not sure what DH ordered.
DD has been asking for a charcuterie board so maybe that on Christmas too.
Thanks for the ideas!
-
Yikes boo!
I think I might try a grouper something or other for main course on Christmas eve. Local and fresh. Something different.
Dessert might be la bete noire. I haven't made one in a long time.
Christmas might be steaks of some sort - just received a shipment from Snake River Farms - not sure what DH ordered.
DD has been asking for a charcuterie board so maybe that on Christmas too.
Thanks for the ideas!
I love grouper! I make a point of dining on grouper, hogfish, and red snapper when I am in FL.
Our traditional Xmas Eve dinner is a creamy fish chowder made with North Atlantic cod and pecan-sweet potato pie for dessert. For years we had rack of lamb for Xmas dinner, but a few years ago, we switched over to beef roast (either a rib roast or sirloin roast) because we like leftovers. Hard to have those with rack of lamb!
-
The only thing I know I am making is a Yule Log :roll:
-
I'm ordering ingredients for potato latkes this morning. DD likes sour cream with hers and I like applesauce, so will have both.
-
Latkes tomorrow, i have so many potatoes from the CSA still!
-
I love latkes!!!
-
I love latkes!!!
Me too!
Doc - Lamb is for Easter in our house! Food traditions galore here! :D
-
I think a vegetarian Wellington for xmas dinner.
-
Tis the season for cooking!
My DD is dating a Jewish guy who is estranged from his mother, so we had a Hanukkah dinner last night. First time I have ever prepared this food but it turned out well.
We had latkes with sour cream and chives and lox as an appetizer
Brisket
Roasted potatoes
Noodle kugel (!)
salad
Donut holes with chocolate drizzle.
Now, on the Christmas. We are doing a graze day where the table continually refreshes.
So far
codfish cakes
deviled eggs
latkes with lox
Some type of roast
and I don't know what else.
What are you doing?
-
Me too!
Doc - Lamb is for Easter in our house! Food traditions galore here! :D
Oooh, same for us. Leg of lamb, preferably grilled if it's not snowing (hey, it's Massachusetts in spring) for Easter, and now rack of lamb (Julia Child's recipe) for New Year's Eve.
I love reading about everyone's holiday food traditions here!
-
xmas eve is always trader joe's apps and bubbly
xmas this year will be mushroom lasagna, green salad, crusty bread, and probably poached pears
i can't muster the energy to plan anything else
-
I'll be at witchy's for Christmas
Jan, your meal sounds wonderful and so nice of you to put that together. What was the noodle kugel like? sweet? with raisins and cinnamon or w/o?
-
I'll be at witchy's for Christmas
Jan, your meal sounds wonderful and so nice of you to put that together. What was the noodle kugel like? sweet? with raisins and cinnamon or w/o?
It was sweet with cinnamon but no raisins. I think it was actually better this morning, fried in butter!
The BF is pretty secular but I think he enjoyed sharing Hanukkah with us. He is estranged from his mother so things like this help. When he heard what I was doing, he and my DD ran out and got a menorah and gelt, though I already had the gelt! No dreidels to be found though. He had to answer lots of questions, esp from J.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
:heartbeat:
-
On Saturday I made Christmas cookies:
Swedish Spice Cookies
Snickerdoodles
Spritz cookies with my cookie press
Chocolate chip cookies with m&ms instead of chips (antag demands these)
Grandma cookies (no bake chocolate oatmeal cookies)
I also made cinnamon rolls which was a bit of a disaster
-
we have an abundance of meyer lemons, because I compulsively buy them during the short season
I made meyer lemon squares, which used up 5 of them.
So now I have 2 egg whites that need using, and about 2 dozen more meyer lemons...
-
meyer lemons are GREAT for limoncello. just sayin.
-
Jan, that is wonderful!
-
It was sweet with cinnamon but no raisins. I think it was actually better this morning, fried in butter!
The BF is pretty secular but I think he enjoyed sharing Hanukkah with us. He is estranged from his mother so things like this help. When he heard what I was doing, he and my DD ran out and got a menorah and gelt, though I already had the gelt! No dreidels to be found though. He had to answer lots of questions, esp from J.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
:heartbeat: I love this. I, too, am estranged from my family and holidays are extra painful. Bf is very supportive and inquisitive of my religion, traditions and upbringing. What did you think of the kugel? I made it once for DD and she HATED it so I never made it again because I do not want to be the only one eating it and bf doesn't like sweet things.
-
We always had savory noodle kugel, served with cottage cheese. If that helps?
-
Here's one that looks delicsh:
https://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Lokshen-Kugel-Savory-Noodle-Kugel/
-
Christmas eve will be our family tradition....don't know how this started....linguine with scallops and shrimp.
Christmas day....carrot and ginger soup,,,,splash of cognac mixed in
Beef wellington....I also do a vegetarian wellington for my daughter
Yorkshire pudding
Some kind of mash
glazed carrots
gravy
dessert is my mum's yule log recipe
Various booze
-
We always had savory noodle kugel, served with cottage cheese. If that helps?
I only want what i have had my whole life :D
-
So I bought GF puff pastry and think i have narrowed it down.
I think I will make this: https://www.connoisseurusveg.com/vegetable-wellington/#wprm-recipe-container-17088
BUT I want to present it like this:
I just did not like the recipe that came with this presentation.
(https://i2.wp.com/theveganlarder.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Vegan-Christmas-Savoury-Wreath-cut.jpg?w=716&ssl=1)
-
I only want what i have had my whole life :D
I liked it! I am liking it even more the next couple of days. I had it with extra spicy chili yesterday. I am the only one eating it though my son liked it too.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Cranberry nut bread is in the oven, made from the recipe on the back of an old cranberry bag that I had saved with my cookbooks. :)
-
Tonight we made peanut butter blossoms, chocolate pavlova cookies, raspberry ribbon cookies and candied oranges to dip in chocolate once dry. Every year I have a big cookie exchange party and I’m so sad we can’t in 2020.
-
Here is the menu:
Vegetarian Wellington
Caprese appetizer
mashed potatoes
herbed roasted potatoes
herbed roasted green beans
brussel sprouts & sweet potato dish
possibly a mushroom appetizer
Yule log cake
misc cookies
fresh baked bread rolls.
-
bumping for the 2022 holiday season
-
Yay!
I have nothing interesting planned yet. We are have a small "friends thanksgiving" gathering Saturday, I'm making turkey, potatoes, gravy, cranberries and everyone else is filling in the rest.
I have stuff to make apple and pumpkin pies.
For actual (US) thanksgiving, I'm hoping to focus on fun veggie sides and let my brother do the basics.
-
Haha my menu for Saturday has, of course, grown exponentially. Now I'm making a few more sides and some apps, too. I can't control myself when it comes to thanksgiving!!
My worst problem is that there are TOO MANY dishes that feel like a "must have" on thanksgiving for me...
-
Haha my menu for Saturday has, of course, grown exponentially. Now I'm making a few more sides and some apps, too. I can't control myself when it comes to thanksgiving!!
My worst problem is that there are TOO MANY dishes that feel like a "must have" on thanksgiving for me...
Sorry!
I don't have that problem. We're not even having turkey.
-
Haha my menu for Saturday has, of course, grown exponentially. Now I'm making a few more sides and some apps, too. I can't control myself when it comes to thanksgiving!!
My worst problem is that there are TOO MANY dishes that feel like a "must have" on thanksgiving for me...
I love Thanksgiving!
This year, we aren't celebrating - flying home that evening - but I am making a small Thanksgiving dinner for Friday! And because there are only three of us - though DD's boyfriend might join us - it has been hard to pare it down.
-
I love Thanksgiving!
This year, we aren't celebrating - flying home that evening - but I am making a small Thanksgiving dinner for Friday! And because there are only three of us - though DD's boyfriend might join us - it has been hard to pare it down.
It is just three of us but making ALL THE THINGS :D
-
Ok so I did a bunch of prep tonight for tomorrow.
Turkey is brining. I made the broth for the gravy. Creamed spinach is done, so is the cranberry sauce. Butternut is cubed and ready for roasting. Pumpkin pie is done, apple is in the oven.
Tomorrow I will need to make the bird, finish the gravy, and mash potatoes. And assemble the apps (baked Brie, antipasto, crudités). Oh, I guess I should make some sort of dip.
-
So give it up already!
I am thinking I need to revisit my sea salt caramel recipe and make those again. They were damn good, and fairly easy. I just need some minions to cut up my wax paper and help me wrap them - that was the most tedious bit.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fleur-de-Sel-Caramels-230778 (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Fleur-de-Sel-Caramels-230778)
ingredients
1 cup heavy cream
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
1 teaspoon fleur de sel*
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/4 cup water
Special equipment: parchment paper; a deep-fat thermometer
Line bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, then lightly oil parchment.
Bring cream, butter, and fleur de sel to a boil in a small saucepan, then remove from heat and set aside.
Boil sugar, corn syrup, and water in a 3- to 4-quart heavy saucepan, stirring until sugar is dissolved. Boil, without stirring but gently swirling pan, until mixture is a light golden caramel.
Carefully stir in cream mixture (mixture will bubble up) and simmer, stirring frequently, until caramel registers 248°F on thermometer, 10 to 15 minutes. Pour into baking pan and cool 2 hours. Cut into 1-inch pieces, then wrap each piece in a 4-inch square of wax paper, twisting 2 ends to close.
I'm going thru this thread and bumping things I want to make. Sorry if anyone got excited that cgraz posted.
-
annual bump so we don't lose the thread
We are cooking the bon appetit cookies this year... have not yet got to the chocolate-tahini linzer cookies, but so far the big star are the double pecan thumbprints (https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/double-pecan-thumbprints)
Oh I want to make these!
-
Oh I want to make these!
these are SO GOOD
-
This will be my first Thanksgiving meal that I have prepared in years, as I have always been with others. It will be just my 20 year old son and I.
Slow cooker bone in turkey breast (I really hope that it's good this way)
Stuffing
Corn casserole
Sweet potatoes (just baked...son's request)
Mashed potatoes
Roasted Brussel Sprouts (again, son's request)
Rolls
Cranberry salad
I look forward to having this in my new home. We will decorate my Xmas tree after dinner and start a new Xmas puzzle.
-
Noley, what sort of cranberry salad will you be making? I bought some cranberries but haven't decided what I'm going to do with them yet.
Today I made two maple ice cream custards and some crystallized ginger streusel to stir into them and will make the ice cream tomorrow. One is for a neighbor.
-
Woke up and made the first batch.
Deadly good. Such insanity.
-
Today I made two maple ice cream custards and some crystallized ginger streusel to stir into them and will make the ice cream tomorrow. One is for a neighbor.
Hold up! Where are these recipes?
-
Hold up! Where are these recipes?
First recipe, just the streusel, not the rest. What I do is bake it on a cookie sheet till done and then make sure it doesn't clump as it cools. The goal is to have bits to stir in. Once cooled I freeze it so when I stir it in it doesn't melt the newly made ice cream. I might in the future add just a wee bit of lemon zest. A very wee bit. It does work best to throw the ginger, flour, and 10x into a food processor.
https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/ginger-streusel-sour-cream-peach-pie-recipe
Then this for the maple custard base:
https://www.seriouseats.com/maple-ice-cream-recipe
Depending on your salt preference a touch less might be OK.
I used 1C of streusel bits for one batch of ice cream, but obviously this could vary to taste. I was surprised as to how not potent the crystallized ginger became, which was good because I didn't want it to dominate the ice cream. On its own the crystallized ginger was average in ginger taste.
-
Yum!!!! I actually want to make that peach pie now, too. But I'm gonna give the ice cream a shot. My brother makes maple syrup so I'll use some of his.
-
Tonight I'm prepping stuff. My general goal is to not have to actually cook anything on Thursday, just pop stuff in the oven... then I can loaf around and eat apps and watch football with everyone else.
-
Smart plan. I'm feeling like I need to do something "special" for breakfast so I think I'll pick up some breakfast sausage today. We don't get crazy over Thanksgiving, the dessert is fun for me to make and we both admit that the highlight of the day is being able to have Stove Top stuffing, which is a nostalgic sort of comfort food.
So yeah, I can make amazing bread but am excited for Stove Top. :D
-
My mom was telling me yesterday how she already knew she was going to be running behind, because she had SO MUCH TO DO for thanksgiving.
What's on her list? Make stuffing. That's it!! :roll:
I am making like ten things and am more organized than she is.
-
My mom was telling me yesterday how she already knew she was going to be running behind, because she had SO MUCH TO DO for thanksgiving.
What's on her list? Make stuffing. That's it!! :roll:
I am making like ten things and am more organized than she is.
hahahaha
that sounds like my MIL... she still talks about how much work it was to host Xmas for all her kids when they came out with their kids 9 years ago... we had 4 adults and 3 kids staying at our house for a week+, she had 2 adults for 4 days... everyone came to us for Xmas brunch (her job: show up, drink mimosas and eat breakfast, open gifts), everyone went to hers for Xmas dinner, which WE MADE and brought over (her job: ask one of her adult children to set the table, open some wine)
-
My brother's MIL was a pro at this. At family functions she would drift around from one feeding opportunity to the next all the while saying, "I'd love to help, but I would only get in the way." Which was at least half true.
-
Chery I made the maple custard! It's cooling now. I don't think I'm going to have time to make the ginger streusel, but I'm not sure this crowd would dig it anyway... I think I will probably just serve the maple ice cream with toasted walnuts on top. My dad was a huge fan of maple walnut ice cream, so that will be a nice nod to his memory.
I'm done with all me pre-day prep. Looks like I'm gonna have to get out the extra large cooler for this trip!
-
I started the anadama bread this morning and because I'm having a bad sniffer day it's possible I used oyster sauce instead of molasses. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
I really need to label the jars in the refrigerator
-
That's a sweet nod to your dad, Bonita. And LOL at all our mothers who only got in the way.
-
I started the anadama bread this morning and because I'm having a bad sniffer day it's possible I used oyster sauce instead of molasses. I guess we'll find out soon enough.
I really need to label the jars in the refrigerator
Hahah that's going to be... interesting!!! :roll:
-
I was planning to have everything but the turkey and stuffing made, but it didn’t happen. Instead, I made nothing, so going to be a busy day!! I still need to dig out all of my recipe books. I’m just crossing my fingers we don’t lose power.
Bonita, do you have a good creamed spinach recipe?
-
I worked 11 hours yesterday, so it is all today. Pumpkin pie just went in the oven :)
-
I'm just waiting around. I did almost everything already. I left a few little chores for DH to do today and of course now my mother thinks he made the whole meal and I'm just a lazy mofo. :roll:
-
Okay what's on everyone's menu?
Christmas Eve is our big meal. We are doing surf & turf - lobsters and steaks. For appetizers we are having chowder (RI style), stuffies, and shrimp cocktail.
Christmas Day we have bagels for breakfast with lox and whitefish.
We have loads of appetizers (everyone brings some, I'm making spanikopita, charcuterie, seasoned olives, and pâté). Then I'll serve soup (spicy carrot peanut), salad (spinach with navel oranges and red onions), and crusty bread for a light meal, followed by an assortment of desserts (mostly Christmas cookies) and coffee.
Our cocktail this year is Dark and Stormy (ginger beer, lime juice, rum) but we will also have eggnog.
-
We did rack of lamb, asparagus and crazy potatoes for Xmas dinner. Last night was noshing on cheese and meats while opening presents. We usually do our lox and bagels on NY day.
-
Baking-
Cookies: gingerbread (assorted shaped), butter cookies, choc chip, pizelles (anise and vanilla), Candied oranges dipped in chocolate, peppermint patties (homemade by DD), chocolate cherry cookies, meringues
Yule Log with meringue mushrooms
Dinner: Butternut squash roast(I will upload a pic in a minute), sundried tomato rissotto, roasted veggies, mashed potatoes, large salad
Xmas morning- coffee cake.
-
(https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20211226/a11499103468f2e2a76bf429e2df6f11.jpg)
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
merigayle, that squash looks great! What is it stuffed with?
I've been following a "Mediterraneanized" diet since early September (emphasis on veggies, fruits, beans and lentils, whole grains, fish, poultry, very little red meat, no sugar or refined flour), so this Xmas and New Year's are major departures for me! :d
Xmas Eve:
Fish chowder for dinner, pecan and sweet potato pie for dessert
Xmas:
Exodus bagels, lox, scallion cream cheese for breakfast
Mini-cheese and chive popovers and Manchego-stuffed Medjool dates wrapped in Calabrese salami for snacks
Sirloin strip roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, steamed Brussels sprouts for dinner; steamed cranberry pudding with butter-cream sauce for dessert. DH said he had forgotten what beef tasted like! :D
Boxing Day:
French toast made with challah for breakfast; grazing today, probably left over white bean and cabbage soup for dinner.
New Year's Eve
Rack of lamb, roast potatoes, probably broccoli rabé sautéed in olive oil with garlic; rest of the cranberry pudding and sauce for dessert
New Year's Day
Huevos rancheros and grits for brunch
Greek-style gigantes beans w/ feta cheese for dinner
-
Lentils, onion, herbs, pistachios and prob other things I forgot
-
My folks got lasagna and chicken alfredo from Costco. Not as good as homemade, but still pretty good. I hadn't had lasagna in a good long while, so it was a nice departure.
-
we did a standing rib roast and yorkshire pudding, saffron-mashed potatoes, roasted kalettes, glazed carrot & parsnip, gravy... cranberry-lime tart (bon appetit), berry pavlova (Mary Berry's meringue)
the best part of the whole meal though was the appetizer course, which was a salad of pea shoots, mint leaves, and baked halloumi, drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of pomegranate seed
-
oh yum, bou. That all sounds amazing, especially the salad. I had to look up kalettes.
-
we did a standing rib roast and yorkshire pudding, saffron-mashed potatoes, roasted kalettes, glazed carrot & parsnip, gravy... cranberry-lime tart (bon appetit), berry pavlova (Mary Berry's meringue)
the best part of the whole meal though was the appetizer course, which was a salad of pea shoots, mint leaves, and baked halloumi, drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of pomegranate seed
:drooling-5:
-
bumping for 2023 holidays... what's new for everyone this year?
-
chili crisp turkey!
-
I was visiting my mother recently and her local grocery has Ontario-grown saffron which is super inexpensive for saffron. So I bought a lot of it.
On the weekend I added A COUPLE OF TABLESPOONS of it to a batch of shortbread (1 lb of butter sized batch), which were amazing.
-
I was visiting my mother recently and her local grocery has Ontario-grown saffron which is super inexpensive for saffron. So I bought a lot of it.
On the weekend I added A COUPLE OF TABLESPOONS of it to a batch of shortbread (1 lb of butter sized batch), which were amazing.
Omg that sounds so good!! And decadent!
-
I made this cranberry tart a few weeks ago and it was amazing. I used almond flour for a simple crust and did not do the complicated hazelnut process. Very “pretty” and tasty too.
https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017817-cranberry-curd-tart
-
That tart is beautiful, badger!
Using a recipe from the NYT's 2023 cookie week, I made gingerbread blondies. Melting the white chocolate was a disaster, but fortunately, semi-sweet chocolate worked nicely, so I Jackson Pollocked the hell out of it. Gooey, tasty, and easy to prepare. I recommend watching the video in the article (no paywall).
Gingerbread Blondies (https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1024778-gingerbread-blondies?unlocked_article_code=1.E00.MOGr.5tlQaJBaJtBk&smid=share-url)
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-RwXpRsX/0/fa0e891f/M/i-RwXpRsX-M.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-B8mKn/i-RwXpRsX/A)
-
So, what's on tap for Christmas dinner? I will have all 4 kidless coming to dinner.
I need some inspiration. My DD doesn't eat a lot of red meat, so thinking prime rib is out - plus honestly, not in the mood to spend that $$$.
-
We were going to skip prime rib and do lamb instead, but I’ve seen some crazy sales on prime rib this week, so we’re going to pick up at least one. We may end up freezing it and saving for later.
-
We're doing something completely different than usual this year, multiple courses, but mostly make in advance:
- some nibbling stuff: white bean spread, olive tapenade, cheese, olive oil roasted almonds, focaccia
- squash puree, tagliatelle tossed in browned butter, fried sage leaves
- leafy salad w/ walnut oil and lemon juice
- polenta, red wine braised beef, roasted kalettes
- dessert TBD - something bright, I think, maybe something with clementine sorbet
-
Given that my hemoglobin count is invariably just a bit below normal, I sure as hell will be eating red meat in the form of prime rib or a sirloin roast. :)
The rest will be our usual: mashed potatoes, gravy, maybe Yorkshire pudding, steamed Brussels sprouts, and steamed cranberry pudding with butter-cream sauce. I may try some old-school bacon-wrapped scallops as an appetizer.
We typically have Julia Child's recipe for rack of lamb on NYE.
-
babka is in the oven
cookies later
-
Rack of lamb tonight - Christmas Eve
Roasted veggies
Leftover potatoes from last night
Tomorrow
Breakfast casserole - eggs/sausage / cheese
Appetizers during day
Lasagna f and garlic bread for dinner
-
shrimp toast and cucumber salad tonight
-
I spent the day making Turtlenola as gifts for the neighbors. I wouldn't ordinarily go with granola as a holiday treat, but turtles have been a theme for me this year and I thought it would be easy and fun. It's really good!
-
Rack of lamb tonight - Christmas Eve
Roasted veggies
Leftover potatoes from last night
Tomorrow
Breakfast casserole - eggs/sausage / cheese
Appetizers during day
Lasagna f and garlic bread for dinner
Our racks of lamb (Julia Child's recipe!) will be for NYE dinner. :)
Our usual Xmas fare today:
Bagels and lox for breakfast
Scallops wrapped in bacon and a toasted pecan cheese ball for early afternoon appies
Prime sirloin roast, mashed potatoes & gravy, and steamed Brussels sprouts for dinner; Brunello to drink. Steamed cranberry pudding with butter-cream sauce for dessert.
-
I'm bailing on my folks for Thanksgiving (invited them to MY HOUSE for a different day & will smoke a pork loin for that). Anyway, I'm on my own for Thanksgiving. I might try to smoke a small turkey breast? (Electric smoker). Anything I need to know? (Obv I'll go search the whole internet). The only meat I've ever smoked is pork loin, which has a wider threshold of not being undercooked. Do I brine or inject the turkey breast? I don't want it to be dry. I was also thinking about making a Conecuh (smoked sausage) dressing (stuffing - except that I'm not stuffing it anywhere but my face).
-
Ooh yay I love this thread. And good for you, RG!! Your plan sounds great.
I'm still menu planning, I have a half dozen side dishes I rotate through the holiday season, not sure yet which one(s) I'll do for thanksgiving.
-
I have the same question as last year!
4 mid 20s coming to dinner and I am too cheap to spend $140 on filet.
I am drawing a blank. I did a slow cooked Pork Butt for Thanksgiving, which was awesome so would prefer to do something else.
WE ended up doing shoe ducks last year, so would prefer something different as well.
-
I have the same question as last year!
4 mid 20s coming to dinner and I am too cheap to spend $140 on filet.
I am drawing a blank. I did a slow cooked Pork Butt for Thanksgiving, which was awesome so would prefer to do something else.
WE ended up doing shoe ducks last year, so would prefer something different as well.
So 6 of you? Look for sales on a rib roast if you want beef. Or go to BJ's (or similar) and get a couple packs of ribeyes.
-
Thanks. I had forgotten about Costco...
-
quail! fancy little birds, lots of flavour... or cornish hens if you can't find quail, less fancy and less little, but either one is a good excuse to make croquettes in the shape of pears...
-
We bought Cornish hens on a whim recently, and roasted them on the spit in the air fryer. It was fun but that technique would not work for a crowd. Maybe I'll pick a few up if I see them on sale for the holidays.
-
Thanks. I had forgotten about Costco...
See if you have a Costco business center in your area. They can be significantly cheaper on large cuts of meat.
-
We picked a rib roast for under $6/pound which I thought was pretty good. It was huge so DH cut it in half and we'll have it twice! Both are in the freezer for now.
-
mr. 'poo wants pastitsio for Xmas, so that's what I'm making
-
I think I'm going to make some cookies today. Need to figure out what kind though.
-
Spawn the Elder suggested making the family favorite almond-cream cheese cutout cookies, which I agreed to as long as he helped. In the past, I'd make all sorts of Xmas shapes and colored frosting. This year, we stuck to Xmas trees which worked out well. They're a bit rustic but tasty.
(https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gCLG2QH/0/MBX6FNVb6kgpgVqbdZQ8b8d9Vsv94Kc4BPspdCQL3/M/i-gCLG2QH-M.jpg) (https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-MrM5v/i-gCLG2QH/A)
-
Those are awesome Doc!!! Perfect Xmas cookies.
I am doing prep ahead stuff for Xmas eve and Xmas dinner right now.
People go bananas over this scalloped onion, leek, and shallot dish, I've been bringing it to holiday meals for literally decades. It's really easy if you don't mind chopping onions.
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/scalloped-onions-leeks-and-shallots-10831
-
Those are awesome Doc!!! Perfect Xmas cookies.
I am doing prep ahead stuff for Xmas eve and Xmas dinner right now.
People go bananas over this scalloped onion, leek, and shallot dish, I've been bringing it to holiday meals for literally decades. It's really easy if you don't mind chopping onions.
https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/scalloped-onions-leeks-and-shallots-10831
Oh, wow, that does look good and not difficult at all. Thanks for sharing!
I'll start some prep today, too, namely for my usual pecan-sweet potato pie.
-
For my work team's holiday potluck this year, I made my dad's french-canadian family's traditional new year's dish of ragout (more specifically, ragout de boulettes et de pattes de cochon)... which is massively nostalgic comfort food for me. That's kind of vibe I'm feeling this Christmas... I've made absolutely nothing fiddly or fancy.
Except this cake, which was for a birthday, not for Xmas (but it would make a good Xmas dessert!): https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/pistachio-cardamom-cake-recipe-2/9y70dmsw
(https://img.delicious.com.au/SH1hZMMe/w759-h506-cfill/del/2024/03/pistachio-and-cardamom-cake-with-whipped-white-chocolate-ganache-208471-3.jpg)
-
I feel like pistachios are having a moment right now. I am here for it! Underrated nuts.
-
For my work team's holiday potluck this year, I made my dad's french-canadian family's traditional new year's dish of ragout (more specifically, ragout de boulettes et de pattes de cochon)... which is massively nostalgic comfort food for me. That's kind of vibe I'm feeling this Christmas... I've made absolutely nothing fiddly or fancy.
Except this cake, which was for a birthday, not for Xmas (but it would make a good Xmas dessert!): https://www.delicious.com.au/recipes/pistachio-cardamom-cake-recipe-2/9y70dmsw
(https://img.delicious.com.au/SH1hZMMe/w759-h506-cfill/del/2024/03/pistachio-and-cardamom-cake-with-whipped-white-chocolate-ganache-208471-3.jpg)
I'm not much a dessert person, but that cake...
-
Cardamom + pistachios = WIN!