Sunday, December 18, 2011
A special homemade breakfast is a great way to start Christmas day.
Every family or group of close friends has them: holiday traditions. The longer they are sustained from year to year, the more treasured they become. As a child, and well into my 20s until I left the nest, my mother would read “Twas the Night Before Christmas" to me before we settled down for our long winter’s nap. I’ll always recall that special time for just the two of us with great joy. Over the years, I’ve learned of some great traditions enjoyed by others. A former co-worker of mine once shared a delightful tradition with me. Once her very small children were asleep, she would swiftly change them into Christmas pajamas for them to awaken in; how magical! A dear friend, whose familial roots are from Norway, prepares a traditional …
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Try these recipes to give cookies, brownies and even martinis some added flavor.
They’re a tree trimmer, a gift tie-on and the crowning glory on your holiday stocking. That’s right; the candy cane. With the holiday season in full swing, the candy cane has assumed its annual role as the grand poohbah of holiday symbols. Its colorful stripes and distinctive shape makes it a shoe-in for easy decorating and a sweet treat available by the dozens in countless stores around town. According to food historians at the National Confectioner’s Association, the candy cane has a long and not so colorful (literally) past. Legend has it that in 1670, the choirmaster at a cathedral in Germany handed out sugar sticks among his young singers to keep them quiet during lengthy services. In honor of the Christmas services, he had the …
Saturday, December 3, 2011
Think outside the box with these recipes for homemade coffee liqueur and caramel sauce.
One of the true joys of the holiday season is the opportunity to catch up with friends (or make some new ones) at holiday gatherings. Some years it seems every weekend is packed with parties or gatherings of some sort. Knowing that our festive Patch readers are nothing if not well mannered, it seemed like a good time to offer a thought or two about hostess gifts. Many of us (this writer included) rely on a nice bottle of wine as way of expressing gratitude, but what better time of year to add a special flare than the holidays ? Hostess gifts are a token of appreciation offered to the person or persons kind enough to include you on their guest list. They are certainly not obligatory but they are always appreciated. There are some points …
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Cups of hot chocolate and eggnog are great beverages to share while trimming the tree the with family and friends.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Is that you back already? It’s hard to believe in these mild temperatures, but yes, those are rows of Christmas trees you see at the garden store and various annual stands. Just as you rinse off that turkey roasting pan, brace yourself for the start of the Christmas decorating season. When you stop to consider it, bringing a fresh cut balsam into your home seems a bit crazy. The tradition, however, has spanned centuries and has become a multimillion dollar industry. The Germans are credited with starting the Christmas tree tradition as we now know it in the 16th century when devout Christians brought decorated trees into their homes. By the 1890s Christmas trees and ornaments had become widely popular…
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Try these recipes if you want to go beyond the typical cold sandwich.
Thanksgiving week is upon us. If you’re cooking or hosting, the preparatory work has already begun. If you are travelling to spend the day with family or friends, your mouth is undoubtedly watering already. After dinner, football, dessert and napping have all been successfully completed, the annual parade of leftovers begins. Now, let the record state there is no better use of leftovers than the construction of the traditional gobbler sandwich. Turkey, stuffing and cranberry between two slices of hearty bread (a little mayo if you like) cannot be beat. But with a little creativity, there are some other options out there to extend your enjoyment of the annual feast. Below are featured three alternatives: Both the croquettes and the …
Saturday, November 12, 2011
When planning your holiday feast, think outside the box and try these recipes.
Let the countdown begin; the annual Thanksgiving feast is approaching. With that comes the anticipation of all your favorites: turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing. All of it of course leads to the big finish, the classic array of pies. Apple, mince, pumpkin a variety of other sweet concoctions brings the Thanksgiving dinner to a glorious close. So, how did the traditional desserts acquire their place of honor at the annual feast? It is believed that the traditional pie pastry originated in Greece. The pies were made using a flour-water paste wrapped around meat. This served two purposes, to cook the meat and seal in the juices of the finished dish. As with many good ideas, the pie was loved by the Romans who spread the popularity throughout …
Saturday, October 29, 2011
We even have a recipe for an adult beverage to celebrate National Candy Corn Day.
Drop everything folks. You may be focused on Monday’s Halloween revelry, but I have news for you. Oct. 30 is National Candy Corn Day. That’s right — if you have not planned accordingly, you better get to the card store and the supermarket for that matter, to stock up on the sweetest of seasonal treats. This is one holiday you cannot allow to go unnoticed this year. Candy corn, the three-tiered colorful confection sold by the bag from the close of Labor Day weekend to the end of the fall, is a long-standing trademark of the season. I think it’s safe to say that most folks have a love or hate relationship with it, too. I’m proud to include myself as a lover, and my dentist is probably thrilled about that, too. But I had never really …
Saturday, October 22, 2011
Here are some options on what to do with all those leftover sweets.
The observance of Halloween, dating back to Celtic rituals thousands of years ago, has long been associated with images of spooks and goblins. But its greatest claim to fame has to be the beloved tradition of trick-or-treating. We know that hundreds of costumed youngsters arrive on our doorsteps full of anticipation each year, ready to collect their bounty. But where did it all originate? As far back as the Middle or Dark Ages, the Catholic church approved the act of "souling," where beggars could go around asking for food, usually barley or oat cakes, in exchange for prayers. The prayers were thought to provide an extra bit of "insurance" that a dead person's spirit would be given entry into heaven. Although the tradition no longer exists…
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Savory squash gives these favorites some fall flavor.
One of the telltale signs of fall in the produce department or at your local farm stand is the arrival of seasonal squash such as butternut, acorn or spaghetti (collectively considered winter squash). With a chill in the air, squash takes center stage in soups, pastas and countless other comfort foods. From a nutritional point of view, winter squash brings a lot to the table. It is a good source of fiber, magnesium, and potassium. It is also an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin E. Most squashes are also low in calorie and high in distinct flavors which are why they are featured in many recipes, especially this time of year. When shopping for squash choose those which feel heavy for their size and have hard, deep-colored rinds …
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Try these recipes during your next football outing.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second in a two-part series on tailgating food.) Last week we embraced the football season with a discussion about tailgating and some great appetizer options. This column takes it one step further by delving into some entrees and beverages to add flavor to your pre (and post) game activities. If you are an avid camper, you may already have some of the tools needed to prepare the recipes below in the parking lot of your choice. If not, a trip to the local sporting goods store can help you accomplish the mission. Last week we provided some details about the latest and greatest grills available for outdoor use. Another investment to expand your recipe options is to acquire a good quality portable propane burner …
