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By Jennie
(Photo from Iowa Gril Eats)
Spinach and Artichoke Linguine by How Sweet It Is
Salty Brown Tassies by Bake or Break
Loaded Crock Pot Baked Potatoes by Iowa Girl Eats
Panettone Muffins by Baked Bree
Creamy Sundried Tomato Soup by Love & Lemons
Ho Ho (Ho) Cake by Brown Eyed Baker
Chicken, Squash, and Chickpea Salad by The Sweets Life
Cranberry Crumb Bars by Homesick Texan
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By Julie
In planning (as Nora mentioned, only 4! baking days left until Christmas) the bacchanalia that is Christmas cookie baking, I start by making sure I have the basic ingredients on hand - flour, sugar, eggs, butter. Wait, butter? Or margarine? But what if the old family recipe calls for oleo, a fairly bizarre name for Crisco (but so much better than lard, which it easily could have been in an old family recipe)? There are decisions to be made here.
It always makes me feel better if I can find a way to lighten up a recipe, so if I can get away with substituting light margarine or even applesauce for butter or oil, I will. Sometimes this fails spectacularly, but most of the time, it works just fine. (Except for cupcakes. If you are making cupcakes in those little paper cups, applesauce will make the cake stick like you super-glued them.) But in a few cases, I have particular preferences. Tollhouse chocolate chip cookies really need to have butter (or light butter if you have that and it shaves a little of the guilt off). Snickerdoodles taste best with butter flavored Crisco. I cannot give you a reason why other than that I have experimented over the years and these have yielded the best results (they also disappeared the fastest).
I wish you all wonderful luck and perfect humidity for all your holiday treat-making endeavors. I also hope you don't make my mistake of mixing up baking soda and baking powder and coming out with flat hockey pucks that will break your teeth. Enjoy!
Do you have any rituals or funky tricks for holiday baking?
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By Nora
Guys, Christmas is less than a week away (I KNOW), and even thought I feel like i'm pretty much ready for it to be here, I always find myself scrambling on the 23rd looking for last minute gifts for people I may have forgotten about. So, I was thinking yesterday about possible last minute gifts ideas, specifically for people who love food and cooking, just in case I get to that point and need something thoughtful, FAST. So, if you find yourself in the same position come this weekend, here's some ideas:
1) A gift card/certificate to a restaurant you KNOW they've always wanted to try (and possibly a night of babysitting if it's hard for them to get out to dinner)! I can't think of a more thoughtful gift than giving a friend a reason to get out and enjoy themselves (without the kids!). It doesn't have to be for a lot of money either---I think just the gesture and the offer of your time so that they can have some time alone is very generous.
2) The promise of a cooked meal delivered to their house (written inside a holiday card). This is in line with the restaurant gift card, but perhaps it's during a time when that person really, really needs to be at home but doesn't have the time or energy to think about dinner. Maybe it's just a dish of baked ziti, some garlic bread, and a bottle of wine. But I can't TELL you how much this would mean to me!
3) A box of chocolates paired with a chocolate-themed movie (Chocolat!) and a bottle of chocolate-appropriate wine. This will require you going out to buy these items, but you can probably do so fairly easily and it's a creative and fun gift that people will think you put a lot of thought into!
4) A pan of freshly baked cinnamon rolls. This will go over BIG. I just made 9 pans last night and stuck them in the fridge/freezer specifically for baking this weekend.
{Photo courtesy of ME! At midnight last night!}
I plan to deliver them warm so that people can dive right in, if they want. It took some effort to make them, certainly, but you can do it in a night and then bake them the next morning.
Still need other gift ideas? Don't forget to check out the Food Lush Gift Guide!
I wish you all a stress-free, happy holiday!!
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by Sarah Anne
I'm going to apologize in advance for this one, folks. Just call me Debbie Downer. I'm cool with it.
With all the AMAZING baking tips, tricks and recipes floating around this great place currently, I feel a little bit like a killjoy coming in and trying to 'healthy' up the holiday season. While I don't completely eschew holiday baking and big plates of carbs covered in gravy, I do have to give myself a bit of a pep talk before going into situations ripe with vice. I've been working very hard for several months on my fitness and just am not ready to see it go to waste. Or, to my waist!
Now, don't think I am holier than thou or perfect at all. I love sweets. I'm a fan of champagne, gin and wine and as you know, I love food in general. I am about to spend two weeks with my in-laws where there are copious amounts of the most delicious butter tarts and melt-in-your-mouth shortbread, and the wine flows freely. I just thought I'd share some of the strategies I try to use.
1. Eat your veggies. Eat them for breakfast, at lunch, and as much as you can during the day so that when the evening comes, your body will be full of awesome nutrition and you won't feel the guilt of a couple drinks and snacks you might not always eat. There really is no fun in avoiding great cheeses, different wines, and great baking. So, I do what I can to even the score and often have a pile of veggies for breakfast, and salads for lunch. Bonus is, the fiber keeps you full and you'll probably indulge less anyway!
2. Drink water. Stagger your tasty beverages with some lemon water, or a great bubbly crack. Maybe, even try a non-alcoholic drink recipe to share like this one. Perhaps just a little cranberry and soda with lime. The water will help keep you full, keep you hydrated and will help prevent those awful hangovers that only seem to get worse with age. Anyone here feel like they can't have more than a single bevvy before they'll feel it in the morning? Yeah hi. My name is Sarah and I'm getting old. So try some water to help you feel better all around. Headache free and alert during the stressful times!
This is my current favourite bubbly (besides the best kind). Perrier Pink Grapefruit!
3. Bring your own. I think this is a great tip not just for holidays when you're trying to eat healthy, but if you have a different set of dietary needs than others. Gluten free. Vegan. Paleo, etc. Bring a dish or two to share with everyone. That way, you'll be sure to have healthy options for yourself, and also, you'll be introducting your delicious ways of eating to friends and family in an atmosphere that is welcoming and open. I love offering to help cook meals, or dishes to share, as I get to share my 'tweaks' on things and I always know I'll have options.
4. Soup or salad first! I try to do this when I'm eating out, sometimes at home, and often at gatherings like Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I'll fill up on a healthy option like salad, or a broth based soup before digging into the rest of the spread. It helps me feel great about what I'm eating, and gets me a good dose of veggies and fiber before overloading on mashed potatoes and stuffing. Not that I do that or anything.
These salads all look AMAZING and would be great to bring along or try during your gatherings!
Kale, Cabbage and Carrot Salad with Maple Sesame Vinaigrette (Source)
Roasted Kabocha Spinach Salad with Orange Honey Pistachio Vinaigrette (Source)
5. Remember that you have a choice. Just because you ate a fistfull of sugar cookies for breakfast, doesn't mean your lunch has to go sideways too. Make each choice on its own and don't get down on yourself for going a little overboard. Just promise yourself you'll make a better choice the next opportunity and keep on truckin'.
Do you have any tips or tricks you use to stay on the straight and narrow? Do you indulge at all, or do you do your best to stay away? Do you just not worry about it this time of year?
In the end, it's a time for family and celebration so don't go too hog wild and restrict yourself like crazy. I'd rather remember the fun times letting loose with family than the amazing turtle cheesecake I didn't taste. Truly. Be gentle on yourself, try to maintain, and enjoy yourself!
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by Jess M
Every Christmas pretty much my entire life has included Chex Mix. We have always made it from a recipe my mom cut out of a magazine sometimes in the 80s. I'm pretty sure that piece of paper still exists, in the green metal recipe card tin my mom kept in the cabinet. For my bridal shower, my sister included a copy of that recipe for my own collection. Over the years the recipe on the boxes has changed but I stick very closely to my own version of the snack.
For reference: "The Original Chex Mix" recipe from Chex.com (picture those quotation marks as air quotes from me because it's not *actually* the original from the 1950s).
Also the Wikipedia article, with a link to the original ad for Chex Mix which appeared in Life Magazine in 1952.
Jess's version of Chex Mix (based on a circa 1980s magazine cutout, with my own modifications)
1/2 c melted butter
3 T Worchestershire sauce
2 t Season All seasoned salt
8 c any Chex cereal (I prefer corn and rice)
1 c pretzels
1 c peanuts
Measure out cereal, pretzels and nuts in a gallon ziploc bag. Melt butter, mix with the worchestershire and seasoned salt, and pour over the cereal mixture. Seal the bag and shake it until all the pieces are evenly coated.
Microwave: Pour contents into a large microwaveable bowl, cook on high 5-6 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes.
Oven: Heat oven to 250 degrees. Spread the mix onto a foil-lined baking sheet. Cook for 40-50 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.
Cool on paper towels.
It freezes well, so if you can make a whole bunch at a time, you can put it away for later, but it doesn't really last all that long in my house.
~~~
Last year, Caitlin's dad shared their family's recipe for Cereal Mix.
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by Caitlin
Notice how I cleverly avoided titling this "Holiday appetizers," "Christmas appetizers," or "New Year's appetizers"? But consider this the ole bait & switch. I do love a good hors d'oeuvre, and I think this can be considered the season of the appetizer. And the season of the cocktail, cookie, baked good, giant meal, and anything else you want to justify indulging in.
I've got a few menus and meals to plan for, and I can't stop thinking about pigs in blankets. A few years ago on a whim I decided to make some (for the first time ever) for a party my husband and I were throwing. He'd just made his own duck breast prosciutto, was plotting a fancy cheese plate, and didn't see a place for pigs in a blanket on our snack table. Guess what was the first to go? Apparently people just can't resist processed meat products wrapped in processed pastry, especially when you offer them something to dip them in. They've become a favorite once-or-twice-a-year indulgence for me ever since, and this is the perfect time of year for them.
Photo: me
Last year I felt much more virtuous buying cans of crescent rolls and Morally Superior Hot Dogs* at Whole Foods. They didn't have Humane L'il Smokies* at the overpriced hippie grocery store, so I bought regular sized Virtuous Hot Dogs* and cut them into L'il Smoky size. It worked great. Press some poppy or sesame seeds on the top to show you mean business.
*Not the actual names.
Photo from browneyedbaker.com
In the past I've also had great success with buffalo chicken dip (again using Virtuous Chicken because chicken in a can = ew), and I am currently contemplating Things That are Wrapped in Bacon. Contenders: water chestnuts, scallops, dates stuff with goat cheese.
Photo from sheknows.com
Yep, I think we've got a winner.
Do you have any fun appetizers planned? What are your feelings on pastry wrapped meat products?
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by Elsha
We don't have a set meal we make on Christmas Day. Often we have ham, but not always. In fact, this year we're having prime rib. However, we do have a set meal for Christmas Eve: soup in bread bowls. We usually make two kinds of soup, and we like to change it up, but we've been having soup in bread bowls on Christmas Eve for years now.
I love this tradition. There's something about such a simple meal before all the celebrating on Christmas. We don't make any side dishes, or any dessert (although there are often cookies around), just soup and bread. It's an easy meal to prepare, (especially if you buy the bread bowls), which is definitely a good thing on Christmas Eve! It's a tradition I'm sure we'll continue for years to come.
What do you have for Christmas Eve dinner?
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By Tara C.
In the melee leading up to Christmas, I feel like New Year's festivities are sometimes overlooked. And it's too bad--New Year's Eve seems like a great opportunity to bring out our fanciest food and drinks. It's a time to reflect upon and celebrate the past year and welcome a new one, full of new beginnings and possibilities.
Lately our New Year's Eves have pretty been lame to tell you the truth. The last time I partied like it was 1999 on New Year's Eve probably was 1999. But back then I was a young, childless newlywed. Times have changed and today we're lucky if we can even stay awake until midnight.
Other than champagne toasts on New Year's Eve, which I assume are pretty ubiquitous, I'm curious about what other New Year's food traditions Food Lush readers follow. I assume there are a lot of regional differences in terms of the New Year's food traditions, even within the U.S.
When I was growing up, my mother always served black eyed peas on New Year's Day for good luck in the new year. In high school, I had a friend who insisted that we each eat twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight. At the time, I had never heard of this tradition, but I have since learned that it's a Spanish tradition.
I would also love to find something that would elevate our quiet New Year's celebration a notch or two. I'll be back here on Food Lush in the New Year with a review of the Unofficial Downtown Abbey Cookbook and a giveaway, so maybe I'll kick off my Downtown Abbey cooking spree with some "upstairs" delicacies for New Year's Eve. The Countess of Grantham's Moules en Sauce? Lady Mary's Crab Canapés? Who knows--maybe one of these dishes will become our new New Year's Eve tradition.
So, tell me--what are your New Year's Eve and Day food traditions?
(photos from: myrecipes.com, npr.org)
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By Ariel
I told you my work does a lot of snack days. In honor of our team Christmas party today, one of the girls came up with doing a hot chocolate bar with all the fun trimmings. While we were skeptical, she totally rocked us all with an amazing hot chocolate brewed (do you brew hot chocolate? mix? create?) in a crock pot.
(Picture courtesy of Target.com, as well as my damask-loving wish list!)
Ginny's Crock Pot Hot Chocolate:
1.5 cups heavy whipping cream
1 14oz can condensed milk
2 cups milk chocolate chips
6 cups milk
1 tsp. Vanilla Extract
That's it! Mix it all together over low in a Crock Pot, stirring every few minutes to melt the chocolate chips and to keep them from sticking. This was a HUGE hit at work and I'm pretty sure some other coworkers who were not on our team snuck a cup or two. I plan on making this for a New Year's Eve gathering with Bailey's and Whipped Vodka on hand, but this would also make a charming Christmas morning treat. If you're feeling extra ambitious, why not throw together a few Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallows?
This is the last you'll here from me in 2012. I hope everyone has an AMAZING holiday season filled with delicious food, spiked hot chocolate, and of course, PLENTY of champagne!
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By Jennie
Every year, I put together a year to-do list with specific goals (some easy like update my passport and some a little harder like visit a new state). Some require some serious self-discipline (PR in a 10K) and some just require me to clear an afternoon and get cracking (paint the living room).
I'm in the process of putting together this year's list, and a few food-related goals have popped up on it. One that I wanted to specifically share here, in case you'd like to join me:
Cook one recipe a week from my cookbook collection.
I own a lot of cookbooks. I enjoy buying and collecting them. I enjoy flipping through them. Then, as my past has shown, I enjoy tossing them on top of my fridge to collect dust. So, I'm not allowing myself any new cookbook purchases in 2013 (this is going to be HARD) and I'm going to focus on making recipes from my current crop. Don't worry, I probably have close to 30-35 cookbooks, so I won't run out of inspiration.
I'm going to share as many of the recipes I make here as I can. Maybe you'd like to do this too? One cookbook recipe a week, that's not too impossible. Who's in?
What are some of your 2013 goals--food-related or otherwise?
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