Holidays Posts

17Feb
0

Fat Tuesday is Looming!

Photo from BraveTart Website

One of my absolute favorite holidays of the whole year is Mardi Gras. Fat Tuesday. It’s basically society saying go ahead, GORGE yourself on dessert all day long. It’s fine and dandy for this one day to eat an entire box of doughnuts without anyone looking at you askance. Okay, well, maybe that’s just me.

But there are a metric ton and a half dessert recipes that you can try out for Fat Tuesday. I know that it’s a little early but I also know that many people do their weekly grocery shopping on the weekend. So stock up on these recipe ingredients. Here are my three favorites that I’ll be making this year.

1) Mini King Cakes from King Arthur Flour – Huge king cakes are grand, but what if you could hold it in your hand? What if you could walk around without limit of plate and fork? Freedom and king cake! Brilliant. Just hide the baby in one of them and don’t tell which.

2) Mojito Pie from Biscuits and Such - This is not traditional Mardi Gras fare, but honestly how can you go wrong? This has all the elements of a great Mardi Gras celebration and IT’S A PIE! I can’t wait to try this one. It’s the only one on this list I haven’t made before.

3) Buttermilk Beignets with Chicory Custard Filling from Brave Tart - These are my tried and true absolute favorites. They are so delicious that I make up reasons to make them throughout the year. Christmas? Beignets. Fourth of July? Beignets. Birthday? Beignets. Saturday? Beignets. I’m serious when I say that anyone can make these. Just follow the recipe. It may be a longer process but oh dear custard they are so worth it.

This is one of my most favorite holidays of the year. Enjoy it! Have a great Mardi Gras everyone!

Posted by kristing in Creative Ideas, Holidays and tagged with , , , ,
25Jan
0

Anti-Valentine’s Candy & Bittersweet Junk You Can Eat Or Gift

Okay, so Valentine’s Day is on its way. While there are plenty of people out there that love the holiday and relish in romance, love, and kissy-kissy-ness there are also plenty of people out there that would rather rage against the commercialism and artificial sweetness of it.

There is plenty of candy out there that feels just as neglected as you, and is probably just as sour. Sometimes what you need is a good old moment to soak in your feelings. Let that misery subside and enjoy some junk food. It’ll make you feel better than that box of chocolates he sent before the tacky break-up text message.

You know what’s just as good as the hearts that say “I love you?” The hearts that say, “Call a 900#.” Yep, they exist. They’re called Bittersweets. Pretty much any aggression you need to let out can now be said with a tart candy heart.  They’re an easy way to express how disappointed you are without having to waste air.

Another fun way to celebrate anti-Valentine’s is to give your ex some trick candy. It’s an opportunity to seek revenge for breaking your heart. try candy that changes the color of their tongue or has a sour flavor. It’s harmless fun (for you, anyway). Who could blame you?

Enjoy this anti-Vaentine’s Day!

Posted by MattC in candy, chocolate, Creative Ideas, Holidays and tagged with , ,
23Dec
1

More Eggnog Ideas!

Yesterday, I wrote about the importance of the booze in your holiday eggnog. This holiday cocktail is high on the list of things to get at the last minute before guests arrive on Christmas day.

But there are other ways to enjoy this festive treat. One of my favorite dessertettes BraveTart has put something extra special on her dessert menu for the holiday weekend. It’s an eggnog ice cream! Stella also weighed in on the alcohol debate yesterday and said her alcohol of choice was frangelico and bourbon. I completely concur (though my local liquor store does not sell frangelico. Again…what!?)

But ice cream isn’t the only delicious way to get your nogg-y dessert on. Try some eggnog panna cotta or, my personal favorite for the season, eggnog flavored marshmallows! You can have your hot chocolate and your eggnog at the same time!

And who says you can’t put some of that bourbon in your hot chocolate? This is the only time of the year you get to liquor into dairy without getting weird looks so go ahead and do it! Starting in February you’ll have to revert back to hot toddys.

Enjoy your holidays and remember to drink responsibly (and deliciously!)

Posted by kristing in Cocktails, Cold Desserts, Holidays and tagged with , ,
22Dec
0

The Great Eggnog Debate

I casually asked my office mates what they put in their eggnog and got some very interesting responses. A few said they didn’t even like eggnog. (…what!?) But those that did have an opinion had a very vehement opinion.

“RUM! Rum is the only choice!” Others said brandy, and a quick search of Wikipedia came up with whiskey, Kahlua, vodka, and bourbon as all viable options for your holiday alcoholic eggnog. So what is correct? What is the traditional way to present eggnog after dessert at your yuletide gatherings?

Let’s take it from the master Alton Brown. He has never led me astray before in any culinary undertaking and I’m sure he won’t disappoint now. On his television show “Good Eats” he did an entire episode devoted specifically to eggnog. These episodes were jam packed with the history of the drink and (most importantly) how to make the world’s most delicious homemade eggnog.

In the episode he also tackles the age old argument that sparked debate in my office today. His historical sleuthing proved that bourbon was in fact the traditional alcohol of choice for the very first eggnoggers.

So, despite my boss’ assertions that absinthe eggnog would be tasty (kids, don’t try this at home) I think I will be picking up some bourbon and some good ole fashioned nog of egg on my way home tonight.

Tis the season, right?

Posted by kristing in Cocktails, Holidays and tagged with , , ,
21Dec
0

Nostalgic Holiday Goodies

Is there one dessert that really just makes it the holidays for you? You can’t decorate the tree without a mug of eggnog? Maybe butter cookies are a must for your Hanukkah celebrations. For me, these desserts are maybe the most important part of the holidays. I never really had anything food related to look forward to during the holidays until I was introduced to some very old school recipes.

Last year was the first year I made a real fruitcake. Not the kind with the gummies in it but with real fruit. It was loved and basted with brandy for months before it was consumed in about 2.4 seconds.

A few years ago, my boyfriend received a package from his mother before the holidays. He didn’t even look at the brightly wrapped gifts, he went straight for a little lump of tinfoil buried deep in the box. This was date nut bread. His mother’s date nut bread. It was the most important holiday tradition for him. He ate one while we decorated the tree and the other while we opened presents Christmas morning. His mother still sends these every year.

These tasty little desserts might not be the sleek, cool, and modern confections of the restaurants today, but to me they’re more important. They’re rustic, nostalgic, retro even, but incredibly meaningful and (regardless of the name or their visual appearance) are incredibly tasty!

Posted by kristing in Dessert Ideas, Holidays and tagged with ,
14Dec
0

Put Some Personality In Your Cookies!

The holidays are upon us, people! You cannot put it off any longer! The most hardcore of you bakers will have started back in October. Halloween is traditionally the day I begin my fruitcake process. But really, holiday baking swings into full gear this week. Would you like to know how I know this?

Ms. Martha is doing her 12 days of cookies celebration on the Hallmark channel! If you don’t watch it, you should. Or at least go to her website and check out her new takes on holiday favorites.

Dont’ get me wrong, I love a good chocolate chip and a tasty molasses cookie will always hit the spot, but don’t you get tired of seeing the same old holiday platter with the same old holiday cookies on them? Get creative!

Make some cookies for the office party this year that say something about you. Try going the traditional cookie route with a twist. For example, Craig Engler of the television channel Syfy was given “sharktopus” cookies from his assistant (If you don’t know what Sharktopus is, you really need to look it up.) They look like regular chocolate chip cookies in the shape of the leading monster.

Meanwhile BraveTart, one of my favorite food bloggers made some gingerbread cookies with a cookie cutter, but after she cut them out, she gave them a little personality by moving their hands and feet into different positions. Very cute!

So go with your gut, do something fun and exciting and put a little fun, spice, and personality into your holiday cookies this year!

Posted by kristing in cookies, Creative Ideas, Holidays and tagged with ,
13Dec
0

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie

I was listening to the new She & Him Christmas album on my morning commute today. During the song “Sleigh Ride” there is a lyric that they changed a bit. The original lyric was “When they pass around the coffee and some pumpkin pie.” The way it’s sung in this new version is “When they pass around the chocolate and the pumpkin pie.” I had to listen to it twice to make sure that’s what she said. Then I spent the rest of my commute trying to imagine what a chocolate pumpkin pie would taste like.

Imagine my surprise when I looked on the great internet machine (thank you Google) and found recipes for chocolate pumpkin pie! Now, let me tell you, I was still skeptical until I saw who created this wonderful concoction, Ms. Holiday herself, Martha Stewart! I now can’t wait to go home and start making one of these delicious looking pies.

It’s a great compromise for those who like a chocolatey sweet pie and those who enjoy a traditional pumpkin pie at their holiday celebrations. Pumpkin pie was good before, but this made it even better!

So thanks to She & Him for a great holiday album. Thanks to Martha Stewart for being such a font of dessert knowledge. And thanks to both of them for making my holiday dessert table a little sweeter!

Posted by kristing in Dessert Ideas, Holidays and tagged with ,
15Dec
0

Christmas Cocktail Recipes

candy cane cocktailIt’s not often you meet a Grinch who doesn’t like Christmas and I certainly don’t know many people who don’t enjoy a good cocktail. Therefore, I have come to the conclusion that Christmas cocktails are absolutely amazing. Feel free to try a few of these recipes this season or whenever you’re in the mood for something delicious.

Candy Cane

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 oz. Creme de Cacao, white
  • 3/4 oz. Schnapps, peppermint
  • 7-Up
  • Cream
  • 1/4 oz. Grenadine
  • 1 Small candy cane

Fill a highball glass with ice and add the liqueurs and grenadine. Stir and add the cream. Top with 7-Up and garnish with the candy cane.

Gingerbread Man

Ingredients:

  • 1 part Bailey’s Irish Cream
  • 1 part Goldschläger
  • 1 part Schnapps, butterscotch
  • 1 part Vodka

Simply combine all the ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, and strain into shot glasses or drink the entire mixture if you’re feeling up to it!

Mistletoe Martini

Ingredients:

  • 2 oz Vodka
  • 2 oz Orange juice
  • 3 oz Cranberry tea, chilled
  • 3/4 oz Lemon juice
  • 3 tsp Sugar

Pour ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice, shake, and strain into a martini glass.

If these cocktails don’t make you feel all holly jolly inside, then you really are a Scrooge!

Posted by KristenM in Cocktails, Holidays, Recipes and tagged with , , , , , ,
12Oct
0

Halloween Candy To Steer Clear Of

Halloween is still a few weeks away, but I like to think of it as a month-long holiday, like Christmas or Hanukkah (which is actually a month long). So, to start us off, here’s a list of candy that you should under no circumstance hand out to trick-r-treaters. I don’t care if you forgot to buy candy and these are the only things left — you might as well either go out for the night or leave your lights off and watch a movie. No kid is going to eat these.

Those random, anonymous candies wrapped in hard plastic — especially ones shaped like fruit

“What’d you get, Billy?” “Mommy, that lady gave me cough drops!” That is what you will hear if you give these things to kids.

Necco Wafers and/or Smarties

Mmm, semi-flavored chalk! The kids will be wrasslin’ each other to get their hands on these bad boys. (Not.)

Peeps

This expansion of Peeps from Easter to other holidays is maddening. There’s a reason they were available once a year — they’re disgusting, and eating them more than once a year will turn your brain into the same pseudo-marshmallow-stuff they’re made from.

Black licorice

I don’t know who likes black licorice enough to keep it on the production line, but it’s disgusting. That drawing might as well be a dramatic reenactment.

Popcorn balls

I actually love popcorn balls, or at least I did when I got older and learned the proper way to eat them. (hint: It’s not by trying to cram the whole thing in your mouth at once.) They’re messy and frustrating to kids. You’re better off giving them loose Kettlecorn in little plastic baggies.

Circus peanuts

This should be a given, but every year there are those few people who insist on letting these things circulate. DON’T BE THAT PERSON.

Posted by JessG in candy, Holidays and tagged with , , , , , ,
05Apr
0

Deep Fried Cadbury Eggs

fried cadbury eggs

Considering their relevance to Easter, Cadbury eggs are surprisingly sinful. But if all that chocolate and rich creamy filling aren’t making you feel guilty enough — or if you just have some extra eggs left over — it’s probably time to do some deep-frying.

Read on to learn how to make Deep Fried Caramel Cadbury Eggs, as depicted on Culinary Concoctions by Peabody.

Ingredients

  • 6 to 8 frozen Caramel Cadbury Eggs
  • 1 real egg (from a chicken, not Cadbury!)
  • 4 cups cooking oil
  • 1 1/4 cup flour
  • 2/3 cup milk
  • 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon golden syrup
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions

  • Heat cooking oil on medium heat in a deep skillet. Oil is hot enough when a pinch of flower will sizzle (not smoke) on the surface.
  • Mix egg and milk; beat.
  • Combine everything else in a different bowl. Pour in egg mixture slowly. Beat until batter is smooth.
  • Dip Cadbury eggs into the batter.
  • Fry for 2 or 3 minutes, or until eggs are golden brown and crispy. Absorb extra oil by placing on paper towel.
  • Dust with powdered sugar and enjoy!
Posted by Sarah in chocolate, Creative Ideas, Dessert Ideas, Holidays, Recipes and tagged with , , , , , , ,
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