Posts

Showing posts from December, 2011

Christmas Cookie no 5: Maple Roll-out Cookies

Image
Maple shape, maple sugar, maple cookie. I like maple. I don't really want to think about Christmas cookies anymore. Its after Christmas, and I've had my share. As long as its still the "holiday season" I think I have a right to post one more cookie recipe. This recipe was introduced to me by my cousin and superb baker Mary-Tyler a few Christmases ago. It's everything and more a roll-out cookie can be sweet and easy to make. The maple flavor has an addicting edge that makes for a sinfully desirable cookie that makes for a memorable Christmas cookie. The original recipe from Emeril (hey I think this is the only Emeril recipe I've ever made) suggests you ice the cookies. The icing is good, but it makes them harder to pack and send. I sprinkle maple sugar on top, which I will show you how to make. The key ingredient in this recipe is maple extract. Its super powered delicious stuff, and you can't really make these cookies without it. I had trouble finding it

Holiday Cookie + Food Swap

Image
It's a Christmas cookie dream come true. I'm finally hosting a Christmas cookie, candy, holiday food swap. What is holiday food? Maybe like some holiday jerky, or holiday pigs in a blanket. Jam is very holiday-esque. Someone could bring some homemade egg nog, that would be right up the holiday alley. I will be bringing the milk though! And some baggies for you all to take your cookies home in. I'm really excited to sit around and eat cookies and reflect on food, recipes, and the year. Please join me. How the Cookie Swap Works: Bring 2-3 dozen homemade cookies or candies, or 10-12 samples of your favorite holiday treats e.g jams, infused spirits, granola. Then swap 3-4 cookies or 1 sample from each other. Print out copies of your recipes to share. Please RSVP by email: naomidonabedian at gmail dot com or facebook what you plan to bring to avoid repeats. Forward to all the bakers you know! Thursday December 22nd 8 - 10pm @ Bar 4 in South Slope 444 7th Ave, Brooklyn Music

Christmas Cookie no 4: Sesame Cookies

Image
Why are sesame seeds so cute. Love them on a little cookie. I've made Pistachio Apricot cookies for their fruity nutty flavor. Nutella Dream cookies are a gooey filled surprise. The gluten-free ginger bread people fulfill the ginger spice category and cover the gluten-challenged people on my list. I wanted the next cookie to be less sweet. I'm a sugar junky, but I know a lot of people like to take it easy on the sweets. Sesame seeds are just the savory to sweet flavor to top off such a less than sweet crunchy little cookie that could almost pass as a mini biscotti. The dough is easy to make, and dousing dough balls in sesame seeds takes a fraction of the time it takes cut and decorate them. It's on my cookie list for sure. This recipe is based on the version on Giusto Gusto. Sesame Cookies 1 cup sugar 1 1/2 sticks butter 4 tblsp olive oil 3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla 1 tblsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 4 cups flour 2 cups sesame seeds Mix sugar, butter and oil in the bowl of stand

Christmas Cookie no 3: Gluten-Free Gingerbread People

Image
The heads will be the first to go Gluten-free baking is new to me. This is my second dip in this dietary specialty pool. I seem to have vegan baking down, so this can't be much harder? I'm pretty sure that gluten free baking requires a grasp of different flours (potato, chickpea, rice) and thickeners ( guar and xanthan gum) in proportions slightly different to wheat flour. I'm not sure how these flours taste baked into cookies and in what combinations. I'm dying to know but for now I'm using an all purpose mix and hoping for the best. This recipe makes a crispy cookie, nice crunch. A softer ginger bread guy would have been a little nicer, but with this mix of flours. The texture is good though. Not too gritty. They don't have that melt in your mouth wheat feel, but they definitely are more in the food than cardboard category too. Picking a flavorful cookie like gingerbread means that even if the texture is different, at least I know the spice will be right. Sp

Christmas Cookie no 2: Nutella Dream Cookies

Image
Is this a Christmas cookie or just a regular cookie? The Nutella Dream cookie is probably just a regular cookie on a normal day. But Christmas needs more chocolate cookies , so I'm bringing them over to the holiday side. I was definitely woo'd by the thought of a chocolate chocolate chip cookie with nuts that gets stuffed with Nutella . That's a combo that just doesn't stop.Now that I've made them I will say they are good, but they are in the "great with milk or tea" category. That's a nice way of saying they could be a richer, a little more moist. They aren't exactly the gooey chocolates brownie-like Chocolate Monster Cookies . But these cookies are stuffed with Nutella . Its a very good surprise to bite into. Its like a lovely, thoughtful, and unexpected holiday gift. See, they are Christmas cookies after all. This cookie recipe is from Serious Eats. Nutella Dream Cookies 1 cup sugar 2 sticks butter 2 eggs 1/2 cup unsweetened

KWT Winter CSA Month 1 Decemeber

Image
I can't even begin to tell you how I excited I am. 3 years ago I belonged to the Kensington /Windsor Terrace summer CSA . I didn't like Garden of Eve's quality compared to the other CSAs I had belonged to. This year I thought what the hey. Time to try again, and now I am so excited about it. The variety! The gigantic variety of crisp flavorful greens is blowing my mind. First thing I shoved some lettuce in my mouth. So damn good. The winter CSA picks up once a month. If this was a weekly selection I'd be offering you all some bok choy . Its gonna take me at least 3 weeks to chow through this. KWT Winter CSA -- December 1 small head of cabbage 1 bunch carrots 1 bunch of beets 1 big bag broccoli florets 3 small heads of broccoli 1 head of garlic 1 diakon 1 butternut squash 1 big bunch of celery 2 small heads of fennel 1 dozen eggs 1 bunch of kale 1 bunch of collard greens 1 big bag of mixed salad greens