christmas granola

Christmas Granola

The Christmas Trees of my childhood were adorned with silver garland, blinking lights and numerous tokens to my mother's success.  As a school teacher for more than 30 years, she was was the recipient of a 'hundred million' ornaments.  Boxes of mini-blackboards imprinted '#1 Teacher' and smiling worms peeking out of apples...

The gift giving repertoire for teachers has expanded in our time, but my memories remain vivid and inspire me to carve out an afternoon or evening each December for a gift making project - something consumable for our wonderful teachers. When the kids chip in, it connects us to gratitude in a way I think my mother would appreciate!

Granola is a great thing to make with kids ( I like involving them in prep and packaging) and it's easy to personalize with your favorite nuts and fruits.  Our granola formula is the beginning of a great tasting, good for you gift that makes the whole house smell wonderful! Merry Christmas!


Christmas Granola
another formula from our kitchen

Ingredients:

Base:
8 c oats (Bob's Red Mill, 32 oz bag)
2 c shredded or flaked coconut
(Bob's again)
3 c nuts, chopped
(we use almonds and pecans - add your favorites)
1 c seeds (use your favorite - pumpkin, sesame, flax, sunflower,etc.)

'Glue':

1 stick, unsalted butter
1/3 c brown sugar (we use dark)
1/3 c sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave, etc.)
1/4 c oil (we use canola)
1 t kosher salt

Finale:
3 c dried fruit, diced
(mix it up - apricots, blueberries, cherries, craisins, dates, figs or raisins)
Mason Jars, small bags or other airtight containers
stamps, stickers, pens - kids love to design family lables






Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Chop the nuts while you wait for the oven to preheat.  Toss the base ingredients together.

2. In a saucepan over medium heat, melt the glue ingredients until combined.  Pour over base and toss again.  Spread out in two large rimmed baking sheets.

2.  Bake for 30 minutes, rotating after 15 minutes or so.  I don't recommend tossing the oat mixture when you rotate. I like it to bake together in yummy clumps. Chop your dried fruits while you wait.

3.  Remove and let cool.  Toss with dried fruit and package in airtight containers for gifting.  We use mason jars - bags sealed would also work.

Our tag-making station

10 loves: walnuts

10 Walnut Loves

It is a common trait of my generation - a love of top ten lists.  Did it all begin with David Letterman?  Now they are everywhere: news reports, travel guides, holiday sales, marketing launches, etc.  And our little blog is no different!

This walnut top ten is inspired by a recent gift from our family's DF, Dorothy Quilty.  We came to know Dottie many years ago through DF's Woody, Jen and Anne.  She is a neighbor of ours, living in Winchester for decades with her sisters.  She lives alone now, and we have weekly visits with lots of storing telling, book and movie shares and some produce swaps in summer.  She is an inspiration - a strong, brave, intelligent and witty woman with a love of reading, current events and a little gossip here and there.  This one is a 'shout-out' to her and her amazing spirit!

10. heart healthy walnuts Take a quick peek at this interesting article from Dr. Andrew Weil about the benefits of walnuts.

9. sugared walnuts Leave it to Martha Stewart to have a quick and easy recipe for this classic - great for salads and to munch with cocktails. I also like to quick-toast mine in the oven.

8. blue-cheese walnut cream  Another party classic from Martha, I thin mine with a little cream or 1/2 and 1/2. It is great on top of grape halves or spread on crostini.

7. cranberry, walnut quinoa salad I fell in love with Quinoa this fall. Shout-out to Denise Costello, our local fit foodie, for inspiring me to make this a pantry staple!

6. walnut butter cookies  My kids love making these 'horseshoe' shaped cookies.  Claire has an Italian version, Crumiri, on her blog!

5. walnut cookie molds I covet these - aren't they adorable?  Don't you want to spread a little Nutella between two halves? Or perhaps a little chocolate ganache?

4. salad with pears, pomegranate & walnuts  This recipe from NPR's site gives an alternative recipe for sugared walnuts, but Martha's (see above) is easier. I make a version of this every Christmas.

3. walnut marinated goat cheese  I am a big goat cheese fan and this epicurious.com article was an inspiration for some of our homemade holiday gift giving.

2. walnut-arugula pesto  Yum!  Calling all arugula fans!  This pesto is so versatile; use it on pasta, pizza, sandwiches and to make an amazing potato salad!

1. Our newly, inherited Nut Cracker - Thank you, Dottie!  We love it!

sugar cookies and quick icing

cookies, frosting, sprinkles ... oh, my!

Back when our oldest boys were babies, my DF (dear friend), Noelle, and I used to have weekly play-dates (for mommies and sons).  We loved to watch the boys in all stages with a devotion only first time parents can truly appreciate. We both love the holidays and simply could not wait until these boys were old enough to participate in holiday preparations and traditions.  Once they were old enough to sit up at a table and fling food on a spoon - we had them decorating Christmas cookies.  We were determined!  Our two favorite types were sugar cookies - where they could ice and sprinkle to their hearts' content - and chocolate chip oatmeal cookies - that they would drizzle with melted chocolate.  Messy, yummy fun.  Definitely some Kodak moments!

I think Land O' Lakes published this wonderful sugar cookie recipe on boxes of their unsalted butter more than ten years ago and my adaptation is still our go-to for Christmas (and St. Valentine's, and St. Patrick's and Easter ... ).  I often keep dough in the freezer to bake in small batches throughout the season. They are yummy plain, special with sprinkles and a great project for decorating during the holidays. Here is my take and some pictures of our recent works.


Classic Sugar Cookies
adapted from Land O'Lakes

my microplane makes fine zest;
blends nicely into the dough

Ingredients:
2 sticks of butter (1 cup), softened to room temperature
1 c sugar
1 egg
1 orange, zested and juiced
1 t vanilla
2 1/2 c flour
1 t baking powder

Directions:


Make the dough:
1. Combine the butter and sugar.  I use our standing mixer and beat till light and fluffy, approximately 2 minutes.  Then add the egg and incorporate.  I scrape down the sides and add the orange juice, zest and vanilla.

2.  In a large bowl combine the flour and baking powder.  I whisk and then slowly add it  into the wet ingredients.

3.  Dump the dough onto a clean counter or large cutting board covered with plastic wrap.  I then divide into thirds or fourths, wrap each in plastic wrap.  Refrigerate at least 3 hours or overnight.  I put mine in the freezer and use as needed.  I have used dough stored up to two months with success.

Cut & Bake:
1. Thaw dough overnight in the refrigerator if necessary.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

2.  Roll out on a floured surface. To keep mess to a minimum, you can roll out the dough between two pieces of plastic wrap or wax paper.  We like it to be just under 1/4" thick for cutting.

3.  We have used a variety of sized cutters - mostly 3" but sometimes as small as 2".  I just check the cookies often - starting at 4-6 minutes depending on your oven.

4.  Remove when the top is no longer shiny (damp dough has a slight sheen to it) or when the edges just start to brown (ever so slightly).

5.  Leave on drying rack until completely cool.  Frost to your heart's content!

love our one eyed snowman!

Frosting: 
This easy frosting dries quickly. 


1.  Combine 1 lb confectioner's sugar, 1 T lemon juice, 1/4-1/3 c water in a bowl. A plastic funnel made quick work of putting plain white in a tube then some custom colors into smaller tubes.  Adjust the water as needed for fluidity.

cookie celebration: a visit with Germain Lawrence

is there anything more inspiring than a blank slate?

I love the way food preparations make conversation easy, bringing generations and people from all walks of life closer together.  Yesterday, I shared a holiday moment with some very brave and artistic girls who reside at Germain Lawrence, a unique facility that treats girls in crisis.

Much gratitude to Stephanie Terry and Karina Nolasco for yesterday ... and for the connections they have facilitated between women in our community and the staff and residents at Germain Lawrence.  It is a miraculous thing indeed.  And isn't that what this time of year is all about?  Enjoy a creative moment with people you love - the holiday spirit will flow!

Recipe for a Cookie Celebration

2 Stations:
  I- decorating already baked cookies; accommodating up to 4 rollers
  II- rolling out cookie dough and cutting into shapes

For Station I:
3-4 Rolling Pins
6-8 discs of pre-made batter, rolled between sheets of saran wrap
6-8 Cookie Cutters - faves from yesterday: gingerbread person, trees, flower, star, angel
+ extra batter waiting in a bowl (just in case)

For Station II:
Frosting; white (tons, please), red & green
Food Dyes; for custom colors
Plastic Knives; for spreading
Frosting Pens; white, red, green
Sprinkles; red, green, blue, white or silver balls
Plates for each artist to contain their work

Trays for allowing the designs to set
Boxes or bags for cookies to travel.

Directions:
Add holiday music, 'Eager Participants' and a holiday memory is in the making. Our two stations and 4 long tables connected end-to-end served more than a dozen people at a time. Be brave - make a happy mess!

the girls will be bringing cookie packages
to homes in their neighborhood this year

nesting: a shower and a cocktail classic

Jen designed nesting cupcakes for the celebration!

I had the opportunity today to sneak a peak into a delightful occasion - a baby shower thrown by my DF (dear friend) Jenifer.  Winter holiday time can be filled with a bit of chaos - but I can't imagine a more magical season to be awaiting a baby. My grandmother always spoke reverently of times when she anticipated a new grandchild and babies made the holidays extra special for her.  Perhaps that is why she had 30+ grandchildren?  What can I say, except 'Irish-Catholic'. :)

Non-Alcohoic Version
(perfect for expectant moms)
Top w/ Sparkling Water
or Ginger Ale

Back to the event: A baby girl is due in January, the first child for Jen's cousin and her husband. The Trevett's welcomed family and friends to celebrate, to honor the mom-to-be and to share their excitement.  The gathering was festive and graced by her elegant touches (see pics below).

Jen's Pomegranate-Ginger Sparkler is perfect for parties and flexible enough for kids or adults.  She was kind enough to share with me the key ingredient - a pomegranate-ginger syrup. The variations will give you the flexibility to make this your own.  Doubling the recipe is easy - great for a crowd. Thank you, Jen!


Pomegranate-Ginger Syrup
courtesy Jen

This batch would make enough for about 8 cocktails or a medium-sized pitcher.

Ingredients:
2 c pomegranate juice
1 T sugar
2" piece fresh ginger, peeled (grate for more intensity)

Directions:
Boil these ingredients until reduced to approximately 2/3 c remains.  Strain and reserve for cocktails.  Make individually or for ease, in a pitcher. Garnish with pomegranate seeds!

Variations:

Top with ginger ale, sparkling water or fruit juice of your choice for a non-alcoholic punch.

Top with Sparkling Wine for an 'adult-beverage'.  Cointreau or Ginger Liquor would also add extra intensity of flavor.

nesting details

pysansky egg favors

 A wishing tree ...

a family heirloom for Baby Murphy

menu: tree lighting

'Shout-out' to May - who helped me make our own
'Christmas Tree' crudites platter, inspired by a recent 'pin' on Pinterest. 

The first Thursday of December means one thing in Winchester - Tree Lighting on the Town Common.  Our sometimes sleepy town comes alive with students singing carols, lighting of the trees and the arrival of Santa on the Fire Department's ladder truck. DFs (dear friends) will join me with their kids for a little nourishment before the excitement - brought together by the shared circumstance of husbands with business commitments elsewhere. Check out our menu below -  I'll share my recipe for black bean soup this weekend!
  

heavy on the kid-friendly foods!

What traditions will you share with friends this season?

gingerbread construction (prep time!)

Trader Joes' Kit - so easy to assemble!

Four cousins (with some assistance) tackled their gingerbread houses with great enthusiasm.  You may recall that this year's kits are from Trader Joe's and they were the easiest I've ever assembled.  This amazing kit has holes positioned to make assembly puzzle-like - a must for those who are deterred by the frustration of collapsing walls and chimneys. We put all the candy out on display and each 'artist' collected supplies on paper plates for construction. Aunt Terry's quick recipe for icing follows - great for inspired architects who need more than the kit supplies. 

whipping up an extra batch of icing

Gingerbread House Icing

- courtesy Aunt Terry

Ingredients:

2 egg whites

1/8 t cream of tartar

3 c powdered sugar

1-2 t water or lemon juice

Directions:

Beat till a smooth, icing forms.  She uses her hand mixer - add extra liquid to thin if needed.

Inspiration links:

~ National Gingerbread House Competition

~ Gingerbread House Contests and Displays in your area

~ Grandfather sharing his passion for gingerbread building

Our assembly line ...