76
8/13/2019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013 http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/foodiecrush-holiday-2013 1/76 THE ONLINE MAGAZINE THAT LOVES FOOD BLOGGERS, THEIR RECIPES & PHOTOGRAPH Festive Foodies and their sweets, treats & entertaining eats FOOD BLOGGERS GIVE BACK IN THE GREAT FOOD BLOGGER COOKIE SWAP P  L  U S Chocolate  Dipped Cranberry Orange  Shortbread from JELLY TOAST BLOG and more!

FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

Embed Size (px)

Citation preview

Page 1: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 176

THE ONLINE MAGAZINE THAT LOVES FOOD BLOGGERS THEIR RECIPES amp PHOTOGRAPH

FestiveFoodiesand theirsweetstreats ampentertainingeats

FOOD BLOGGERS

GIVE BACK IN

THE GREAT FOOD

BLOGGER COOKIE SWAP

P L US

Chocolate Dipped

CranberryOrange

Shortbreadfrom

JELLY TOAST B LOG

and more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 276

contents

H ol i d a y lsquo13

ON THE COVERChocolate DippedCranberry Orange

Shortbread createdand photographed

by Emily Carusoof Jelly Toast Blog

Check out the articleCookies for a Cause

for the recipe

click the pic to take you to the article

5

46

70

33

60

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 376

contributors

PRIVACY POLICY AND DISCLAIMERAll content copyright (c) FoodieCrush LLC unless otherwisespecified All rights reserved No part of this publication may bereproduced in any form without express written permission fromthe publisher The opinions expressed by our contributors aretheir own and do not necessarily represent the of the publisherWe have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of ourcontent wherever possible but neither FoodieCrush LLC nor thepublisher assumes responsibility for claims or recipes submittedor reprinted by our contributors errors inaccuracies omissionsor other inconsistencies including those related to quotationsNeither FoodieCrush LLC nor the publisher is responsible forany statements claims or representations made by contributiorsadvertisers or others nor is FoodieCrush LLC or the publisherresponsible for anyonersquos reliance on the content herein

COURTNEY

BANKHEAD

is literally countingdown the daysto receiving her

BFA degree inGraphic DesignAs a FoodieCrushintern aka left-over blog post forlunch recipe tastetester Courtneycurated thisissuersquos productpages with a

spiced twistWhen she isnrsquotmountain bikingwith her husbandhiking with herkids or answeringHeidirsquos texts shedreams of somequality ldquomerdquo timeat the spa Catchher on Instagram

courtbankhead

HALEY TEATER

is a contribu-tor who writesand eats fromGreensboro NC

She has a pen-chant for bakingtravel writing andbanana puddinrsquoand often likes tosneak bourboninto her bakedgoods She puther taste budsinto overdrive

while research-ing and writingldquoAround theWorld in Six Des-sertsrdquo featuringtraditional sweetsfrom about theglobe See moreof Hayleyrsquos foodieadventures at herblog Tiptoes in

the Kitchen

Itrsquos all about the giving And the cookies

Letrsquos face it When it comes to holiday eats itrsquos allabout dessertsmdashbaking them giving them and defi-

nitely craving them So why pretend to be interestedin anything but the sweet stuff this time of year

Thatrsquos why in this issue yoursquoll find a bevy of sweettreats including two food blogging gal pals whorsquoveteamed up to create the ultimate cookie swap bring-ing food bloggers together online and off and in theprocess raising money for an amazing cause Yoursquoll alsobe introduced to six food bloggers who share tradi-tional desserts that travel the distance from Croatia toTexas plus a blogger (hersquos a guy with a sweet tooth)

whose recipe for Peppermint Bark is worth every biteBut because we canrsquot subsist on sugar alone wemade sure to even the stakes and share some favoritecheese boards and party tips plus some favorite swagthatrsquos sure to get you and yours saying ho-ho-ho

Happy holidays have fun and bake on

xoxo

Heidi LarsenCHIEF FOODIECRUSH983085ER AKA DISHWASHER

GET MORE ONLINE ISSUES AT FOODIECRUSHCOM

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 476

Bourbon

Brown Butterand Vanilla

Bean Shortbread

Cookies

In the true sense

of giving

food blogging pals

LINDSAY LANDIS

and JULIE DEILY

have created a

nationwide

exchange of

sweets that notonly benets the

participants

but kids with

cancer too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 576

COOKIES

FOR A CAUSEby HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

T h C o o k e An g l s

portrait by ROBYN STONE of ADD A PINCH

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 2: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 276

contents

H ol i d a y lsquo13

ON THE COVERChocolate DippedCranberry Orange

Shortbread createdand photographed

by Emily Carusoof Jelly Toast Blog

Check out the articleCookies for a Cause

for the recipe

click the pic to take you to the article

5

46

70

33

60

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 376

contributors

PRIVACY POLICY AND DISCLAIMERAll content copyright (c) FoodieCrush LLC unless otherwisespecified All rights reserved No part of this publication may bereproduced in any form without express written permission fromthe publisher The opinions expressed by our contributors aretheir own and do not necessarily represent the of the publisherWe have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of ourcontent wherever possible but neither FoodieCrush LLC nor thepublisher assumes responsibility for claims or recipes submittedor reprinted by our contributors errors inaccuracies omissionsor other inconsistencies including those related to quotationsNeither FoodieCrush LLC nor the publisher is responsible forany statements claims or representations made by contributiorsadvertisers or others nor is FoodieCrush LLC or the publisherresponsible for anyonersquos reliance on the content herein

COURTNEY

BANKHEAD

is literally countingdown the daysto receiving her

BFA degree inGraphic DesignAs a FoodieCrushintern aka left-over blog post forlunch recipe tastetester Courtneycurated thisissuersquos productpages with a

spiced twistWhen she isnrsquotmountain bikingwith her husbandhiking with herkids or answeringHeidirsquos texts shedreams of somequality ldquomerdquo timeat the spa Catchher on Instagram

courtbankhead

HALEY TEATER

is a contribu-tor who writesand eats fromGreensboro NC

She has a pen-chant for bakingtravel writing andbanana puddinrsquoand often likes tosneak bourboninto her bakedgoods She puther taste budsinto overdrive

while research-ing and writingldquoAround theWorld in Six Des-sertsrdquo featuringtraditional sweetsfrom about theglobe See moreof Hayleyrsquos foodieadventures at herblog Tiptoes in

the Kitchen

Itrsquos all about the giving And the cookies

Letrsquos face it When it comes to holiday eats itrsquos allabout dessertsmdashbaking them giving them and defi-

nitely craving them So why pretend to be interestedin anything but the sweet stuff this time of year

Thatrsquos why in this issue yoursquoll find a bevy of sweettreats including two food blogging gal pals whorsquoveteamed up to create the ultimate cookie swap bring-ing food bloggers together online and off and in theprocess raising money for an amazing cause Yoursquoll alsobe introduced to six food bloggers who share tradi-tional desserts that travel the distance from Croatia toTexas plus a blogger (hersquos a guy with a sweet tooth)

whose recipe for Peppermint Bark is worth every biteBut because we canrsquot subsist on sugar alone wemade sure to even the stakes and share some favoritecheese boards and party tips plus some favorite swagthatrsquos sure to get you and yours saying ho-ho-ho

Happy holidays have fun and bake on

xoxo

Heidi LarsenCHIEF FOODIECRUSH983085ER AKA DISHWASHER

GET MORE ONLINE ISSUES AT FOODIECRUSHCOM

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 476

Bourbon

Brown Butterand Vanilla

Bean Shortbread

Cookies

In the true sense

of giving

food blogging pals

LINDSAY LANDIS

and JULIE DEILY

have created a

nationwide

exchange of

sweets that notonly benets the

participants

but kids with

cancer too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 576

COOKIES

FOR A CAUSEby HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

T h C o o k e An g l s

portrait by ROBYN STONE of ADD A PINCH

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 3: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 376

contributors

PRIVACY POLICY AND DISCLAIMERAll content copyright (c) FoodieCrush LLC unless otherwisespecified All rights reserved No part of this publication may bereproduced in any form without express written permission fromthe publisher The opinions expressed by our contributors aretheir own and do not necessarily represent the of the publisherWe have sought to ensure accuracy and completeness of ourcontent wherever possible but neither FoodieCrush LLC nor thepublisher assumes responsibility for claims or recipes submittedor reprinted by our contributors errors inaccuracies omissionsor other inconsistencies including those related to quotationsNeither FoodieCrush LLC nor the publisher is responsible forany statements claims or representations made by contributiorsadvertisers or others nor is FoodieCrush LLC or the publisherresponsible for anyonersquos reliance on the content herein

COURTNEY

BANKHEAD

is literally countingdown the daysto receiving her

BFA degree inGraphic DesignAs a FoodieCrushintern aka left-over blog post forlunch recipe tastetester Courtneycurated thisissuersquos productpages with a

spiced twistWhen she isnrsquotmountain bikingwith her husbandhiking with herkids or answeringHeidirsquos texts shedreams of somequality ldquomerdquo timeat the spa Catchher on Instagram

courtbankhead

HALEY TEATER

is a contribu-tor who writesand eats fromGreensboro NC

She has a pen-chant for bakingtravel writing andbanana puddinrsquoand often likes tosneak bourboninto her bakedgoods She puther taste budsinto overdrive

while research-ing and writingldquoAround theWorld in Six Des-sertsrdquo featuringtraditional sweetsfrom about theglobe See moreof Hayleyrsquos foodieadventures at herblog Tiptoes in

the Kitchen

Itrsquos all about the giving And the cookies

Letrsquos face it When it comes to holiday eats itrsquos allabout dessertsmdashbaking them giving them and defi-

nitely craving them So why pretend to be interestedin anything but the sweet stuff this time of year

Thatrsquos why in this issue yoursquoll find a bevy of sweettreats including two food blogging gal pals whorsquoveteamed up to create the ultimate cookie swap bring-ing food bloggers together online and off and in theprocess raising money for an amazing cause Yoursquoll alsobe introduced to six food bloggers who share tradi-tional desserts that travel the distance from Croatia toTexas plus a blogger (hersquos a guy with a sweet tooth)

whose recipe for Peppermint Bark is worth every biteBut because we canrsquot subsist on sugar alone wemade sure to even the stakes and share some favoritecheese boards and party tips plus some favorite swagthatrsquos sure to get you and yours saying ho-ho-ho

Happy holidays have fun and bake on

xoxo

Heidi LarsenCHIEF FOODIECRUSH983085ER AKA DISHWASHER

GET MORE ONLINE ISSUES AT FOODIECRUSHCOM

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 476

Bourbon

Brown Butterand Vanilla

Bean Shortbread

Cookies

In the true sense

of giving

food blogging pals

LINDSAY LANDIS

and JULIE DEILY

have created a

nationwide

exchange of

sweets that notonly benets the

participants

but kids with

cancer too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 576

COOKIES

FOR A CAUSEby HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

T h C o o k e An g l s

portrait by ROBYN STONE of ADD A PINCH

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 4: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 476

Bourbon

Brown Butterand Vanilla

Bean Shortbread

Cookies

In the true sense

of giving

food blogging pals

LINDSAY LANDIS

and JULIE DEILY

have created a

nationwide

exchange of

sweets that notonly benets the

participants

but kids with

cancer too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 576

COOKIES

FOR A CAUSEby HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

T h C o o k e An g l s

portrait by ROBYN STONE of ADD A PINCH

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 5: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 576

COOKIES

FOR A CAUSEby HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

T h C o o k e An g l s

portrait by ROBYN STONE of ADD A PINCH

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 6: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 676

How did the two of you becomefriendsWe were online friends before we metin real life We actually missed our first

chance to meet in 2010 at Food BlogForum Atlanta We were both there andyet failed to meet We finallydid meet the following yearwhen Julie organized FoodBlog Forum Orlando whereLindsay spoke Wersquove beenbesties ever sinceYoursquore both fierce bakers in

the kitchen What was the nugget ofinspiration for you to start the GreatFood Blogger Cookie SwapHonestly The entire swap started witha single tweet and a late night cookiecraving Lindsay tweeted something likeWouldnt it be great if we could haveone big giant cookie swap where foodbloggers sent each other cookiesJulie responded and probably within

24 hours we had launched our very firstcookie swapWhy did you choose Cookies for KidsCancer to support via funds generat-ed through the cookie swap The second year (2012) we decided wewanted to add a charitable componentto the swap and charge a participationfee (the idea was the fee would help

weed out the flakes we had to dealwith the first year) We hadnt yet startedto research charities when a friend atOXO mentioned Cookies For Kids Can-

cer It was such a perfect fit we didnteven think twice Every penny we raisegoes directly to CFKC Wedont keep a cent and all ofour time spent on the cook-ie swap is a purely volunteerbasis Honestly we do it all forthe cookiesYoursquove achieved great suc-

cess in the past 3 years raising fundsfor Cookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer Whatare your goals for this year mone-tarily and otherwiseWe set out to raise over $10000 forCFKC this year with the help of ourgenerous brand partners (Dixie CrystalsGold Medal Flour Grandmas Molassesand OXO) And sure enough we did itOur total with matching funds came toover $13700 Thatrsquos a total over of over$17000 for an amazing charity

Other than the charity componentwe really feel that the cookie swapbrings the food blogging communitytogether People come away with notonly a few dozen delicious cookies butalso friendships with bloggers they maynot have fostered otherwise

ood bloggers Lindsay Landis of Love and Olive Oil andJulie Deily of The Little Kitchen have taken the concept of acookie swap party to a whole new level Created by Lindsay an

Julie 2013 marks the third year of The Great Food Blogger Cookie SwapBeginning with sugar flour and a whole lot of organization the event

a philanthropic endeavor that benefits more than just the cookie-lovirecipients It syncs hundreds of food blogging participants and their cookiein a massive countrywide sweet-treat exchange raising funds for the charityCookies for Kidsrsquo Cancer

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 7: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 776

BOURBON BROWN BUTTERAND VANILLA BEAN

SHORTBREAD COOKIES makes 30 cookies

2 sticks (1 cup) unsalted butterfrac12 cup packed light brown sugarfrac12 vanilla bean seeded2 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 tablespoons cornstarch983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac14 cup bourbon

1 Melt butter in a large saucepan over me-dium heat Cook stirring occasionally untilbutter solids (the bits that separate in thebottom of the pan) turn a deep amber colorWatch this closely as the butter will go frombrown to burnt very quickly if yoursquore notcareful Remove from heat and let cool for15 minutes2 Line a heat-proof container with plasticwrap or aluminum foil Pour brown butter

into container then refrigerate for at least2-3 hours or overnight until butter has re-turned to its solid state Remove from refrig-erator and let sit at room temperature for 15minutes then dump into a large mixing bowlor the bowl of a stand mixer Beat on me-dium-high speed for 1 to 2 minutes or untillight and uy Add brown sugar and contin-ue to beat for 1 to 2 minutes more Add va-nilla bean seeds and mix until incorporated

In a bowl whisk together our cornstarchand salt until evenly blended Add dry ingre-

dients to butter mixture in 2-3 additions anmix on low speed until incorporated Afterabout half of the dry ingredients have beenadded mix in bourbon then add remain-ing dry ingredients and beat until mixturecomes together into a crumbly dough3 Divide dough into two portions thenplace in the center of a sheet of plastic wrapforming into a 10-inch log Roll tightly withplastic wrap Repeat with remaining doughYou should end up with two 10-inch logs ap-

proximately 1-34 inches in diameter (aboutthe size of a paper towel tube) Refrigeratefor at least 3 hours or overnight until rmYou can place the logs in a paper towel tubeif you like which will help them keep theirround shape when refrigerated4 Preheat oven to 350degF Line two bakingsheets with parchment paper or a siliconemat5 Remove logs from refrigerator remove

and discard plastic wrap With a sharp knifecut into 38-inch-thick slices and arrange onbaking sheets leaving about 1 inch of spacebetween each cookie Bake for 10 to 12minutes or until cookies are set and bottomedges are light golden brown Let cool for5 minutes on baking sheet then transfer toa wire rack to cool completely Cookies willkeep stored in an airtight container for upto 1 week

Lindsay

loveandoliveoilcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 8: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 876

DoubleChocolate

ChunkCookies with

Sea Salt

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 9: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 976

I think everyone wants to knowhow do you manage the number ofbloggers involved and choose whose

cookies get delivered to whoOne big giant spreadsheet After thefirst yearmdashwhich was a huge logisticalnightmare as we had to figure out howit would all workmdashitrsquos actually gonepretty smoothly Once we format thespreadsheet and divide it into groups(by country and also by food allergy)we offset the rows and each person

gets lined up with 3 other bloggers Thematches are totally random We evensplit up the list so Lindsayrsquos name goeson Juliersquos half and Juliersquos name is onLindsayrsquos half so our own matches aretotal surprises too We then email eachblogger with the names and addressesof their three matchesAs the creators of the swap do you

find yourselves putting extra pres-sure on yourselves to create a stun-ning cookie recipe for the swapOf course Its definitely a challenge tocome up with a delicious cookie that holdsup well for shipping Many standard cookiesdry out too quickly and so youre forced tothink outside (er inside) the boxThe web is full of some pretty cre-ative food bloggers Have you hada recipe come through that youthought ldquoOh wow Why didnrsquot I thinkof thatrdquoHonestly itrsquos more that wersquore just in aweof the sheer number of cookies thatcome about as a result of this swapLast year we calculated there were over22000 cookies sent around the world

IT ALL STARTED WITH 96000 COOKIESUpon 2-year-old Liam Witts diagnosis w

neuroblastoma in 2007 his parents Gretc

en and Larry Witt were shocked to learn

the lack of effective treatments for pediat

cancers due to lack of funding That was

all it took for them to pledge to support

the development of research for safer mor

effective treatments It all began with a cookie drive With

the help of 250 volunteers his mom Gretche

baked and sold 96000 cookies raising mor

than $400000 for research

Word quickly spread and people natio

wide began asking What can I do to help

With that they created Cookies for Kids

Cancer committed to raising funds for

research to develop new improved treat-

ments for pediatric cancer the 1 disease

killer of children in the USThe Witts efforts have always been in-

spired by their son Liamrsquos battle with sta

IV cancer Tragically Liam came to the en

of his courageous 4-year ght with cance

on January 24 2011 at just six years of a

How can you get involved Become a B

a Good Cookietrade by hosting a fundraising

event order cookies as gifts shop the on-

line gift shop make a donation or create

fundraising pagemdashevery bit counts Learn more about the kids who inspire

the drive at cookiesforkidscancerorgexcerpted from cookiesforkidscancer

Watch a video about the history of Cookies for Kids Can

and hear Gretchenrsquos own words by clicking here

ABOUT

COOKIES FOR KIDS CANCER

l a n m or

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 10: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1076

The thought of that many cookies flyingthrough the air makes our hearts happy

The other amazing aspect of this is

Veronica a blogger who organizes anon-blogger cookie swap (see sidebar)Shersquos a postal service employee andhas told us time and time again howappreciative she is of the sheer vol-ume that food bloggers send packagesthrough the US Postal ServiceWhat happens if someone missed theopportunity to participate this year

We are definitely planning to doit again next year Sign upto receive notifications herehttpeepurlcomqCABj Wellsend out an email to this list whensign ups open for next years swapYou two are both well respectedrecipe creators photographersdesigners and content creators Itseems like you do it all How do youmanage to create new initiatives likethis and the Food BlogForumconference and keep up with it all Um we dont Haha We both have ahabit of taking on too much at onceBut we both seem to work quite wellunder pressure and somehow manageto get it all done

And honestly we wouldnrsquot be able to

do it without each other Wersquore bothhugely supportive and one anotherrsquosbest sounding boardsWhat do you think The Great FoodBlogger Cookie Swap will look like in5 yearsI hope its even bigger and better withmore cookies and more money raisedfor Cookies for Kids Cancer

ABOUT THE

POSTCARD PROJECT with

VERONICA OF VERONICArsquoS CONUCOPIA

As a postal worker by day who loves receivingitems in the mail Veronica Miller knows the im-

portance of keeping the age-old tradition aliveIn 2011 she created the Postcard Project as away to inspire others to do the same Inspiredby Lindsay and Juliersquos eforts Veronica has cre-ated an event for non-bloggers to participate intheir own holiday cookie swap

I started the PostcardProject in 2011 justbefore the inauguralGreat Food BloggerCookie Swap waslaunched My version

is meant to rekindleinterest in sendingmail and I thoughta nation-wide cook-ie swap would be aperfect addition tothe project since itgenerates many extrapackages for the postofce Not to men-tion how much joy

and cheer it spreadsanother main goal ofmy project

Since the GreatFood Blogger CookieSwap is for food blog-gers only I thought

it would be great toprovide a separateswap for non-blog-gers as part of myproject I am so glad

Julie and Lindsay

came up with thisgreat idea and thatthey were happy tolet me piggy back itfor many of us

We also supportCookies for KidsrsquoCancer by reportingthe number of cook-ies swapped andGlad matches each

cookie with $1 whichresulted in raising$3574 for kids cancer

just by doing whatwe love and shippingthat love around thecountry

veronicascornucopiacom

l a n m or

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 11: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1176

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CHUNK COOKIESWITH SEA SALT

makes 24 cookies

3 frac14 cups unbleachedall-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon baking powderfrac34 teaspoon salt1 cup unsalted butter

(two sticks) softened4 ounces cream cheese

softenedfrac34 cup granulated sugar1 frac14 cups light brown sugar2 teaspoons pure vanilla

extract2 large eggs8 ounces bittersweet

chocolate roughly chopped1 cup semisweet chocolate

chunks sea salt

1 Mix dry ingredients to-gether in a medium-sizedmixing bowl2 In the bowl of a standmixer (and using a atbeater) or large mixing bowl(and using an electric mix-er) beat cream cheese andbutter Add both sugars andcream together thoroughly

Add vanilla extract and mixAdd eggs one at a time and

mix thoroughly until com-bined3 Add our in two batchesand mix with a rubber spatulaAdd chocolate and mix just tocombine Donrsquot over mix4 Line a small baking sheet

with parchment paper andusing a medium (15 Table-spoon) cookie scoop scoopcookie dough portionsPlace portioned cookiedough into the freezer for3 to 4 hours or overnightIf not baking immediatelyafter the dough is frozenplace in one or more zip-

pered plastic bags and labelwith date and baking tem-perature and time5 Heat oven to 375deg F andplace cookie dough on aparchment paper linedbaking sheet at least 2 to3 inches apart Bake for 9to 12 minutes until slight-ly golden brown Remove

from oven and place parch-ment paper with cookieson top directly on a coolingrack Store in an airtightcontainer to maintain chew-iness

Julie

thelittlekitchennet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 12: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1276

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips1 frac14 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup unsweetened baking cocoa2 teaspoons baking powderfrac14 teaspoons saltfrac12 cup butter softenedfrac34 cup brown sugarfrac12 cup sugar2 eggs1 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 3 cup milk1 cup confectionerrsquos sugar

for rolling the dough in1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch

Baking Chips

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line cookiesheet with parchment paper or siliconeliner2 Melt chocolate in a small saucepan ordouble boiler over low heat Set aside3 Sift together flour baking cocoabaking powder and salt4 Beat butter and sugars until creamyBeat in eggs and vanilla until well com-bined Slowly beat in melted chocolate5 Alternate between beating in flourand milk until incorporated and doughforms6 Form dough into a ball and coverwith plastic wrap Refrigerate for atleast 2 hours7 Roll dough into 1-inch balls Roll

dough in confectionerrsquos sugar8 Place cookies on prepared cookiesheet Bake for 8 minutes9 Remove from oven Sprinkle the topswith peppermint baking chips Lightlypress chips into tops of cookiesReturn to oven and bake for another4-7 minutes10 Transfer cookies to a wire rack tocool completely Store in an airtightcontainer

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTCRACKLE COOKIES

makes 36 cookies

Jessica

a-kitchen-addictioncom

With hundreds of food bloggers participating in the Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap choosing a small

selection of recipes to feature was no

small task Here are a few favorites

that caught our eye

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 13: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1376

2 cups butter (4 sticks) softened1 cup sugar1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon vanilla

frac12 teaspoon salt5 cups all-purpose flour1 large eggRed and green food coloringSanding sugar

1 In an electric mixer fitted with a pad-dle attachment cream butter and sugaruntil well blended Add vanilla extractand salt With the mixer on low gradu-ally add flour scraping down the sides

HOLIDAYCHECKERBOARD COOKIES

makes 96 cookies

2 Turn dough out onto aclean work surface it will beloose and crumbly Kneaddough together Dividedough into 4 parts Colorone part green by drizzlinga bit of the green color intothe middle and knead until

well blended Add more coloruntil you achieve the desiredcolor Repeat process withthe red color with another

frac14 of the dough Leave thetwo other parts white3 Place each half of thekneaded dough between twosheets of plastic wrap Usinga rolling pin shape doughinto two 7-inch squaresabout 3 8 inch thick Using asharp knife and a ruler sliceeach square into nine frac34 inch-es-wide strips4 Whisk together the eggand 1 tablespoon water Cov-er work surface with plasticwrap Place three strips ofdough on plastic alternatingwhite and red for the firstset to create a checkerboardeffect Brush tops and in

between the strips with theegg wash Gently press stripstogether Repeat formingsecond and third layersalternating colors to createa checkerboard effect Wrapassembled log in plasticRepeat process with greenfor second log Refrigerate30 minutes or freeze 15minutes

5 If you have extra doughcontinue repeating the pro-cess until all dough is usedPreheat oven to 350deg FLine a baking sheet with aparchment paper Slice eachlog into frac14-inch thick slicesplacing on baking sheetBrush with egg wash andsprinkle with sanding sugarBake until done 10 to 12minutes Remove baking

sheet from oven and letcookies cool 2 minutesTransfer cookies to a wire rackto cool completely

Lisa

authenticsuburbangourmetblogspotcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 14: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1476

2 frac14 sticks butter atroom temperaturefrac14 cup coconut oil2 eggs at room temperature1 tablespoon lemon zest1 teaspoon lemon juicefrac12 tablespoon freshly ground

ginger1 frac12 cups granulated sugarfrac12 cup light brown sugarfrac12 cup light unsulphured molasses

4 cups all-purpose flour1 tablespoon baking soda2 teaspoons ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon cloves2 teaspoons cinnamon1 teaspoon saltAbout a frac14 cup of turbinado sugar

for rolling the balls of dough inbefore baking

Pieces of crystallized ginger totop cookies with after theyrsquorebaked

TRIPLE GINGERLEMON COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg F In a largebowl whisk together flour baking sodacinnamon cloves ginger and salt Setaside2 With an electric mixer beat togeth-er butter coconut oil and sugars untilcombined Add the eggs one at a timebeating well after each addition Thenadd molasses lemon zest lemon juiceand fresh ginger beat until combinedThen add in the dry ingredients mixuntil just combined3 Roll the dough into small balls (about1 inch in diameter) Fill a small bowl withturbinado sugar and roll each ball in thesugar until itrsquos well coated Place doughon cookie sheet about 2 inches apartand bake for about 10 minutes Oncethey are done remove from the ovenpress the crystallized ginger pieceslightly on top and let cool for a minuteor two before transferring to a wirerack to cool completely

Ashley

bakerbynaturecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 15: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1576

CHOCOLATE HONEYCOMBamp ROAST ALMOND COOKIE

makes 36 cookies

1 cup butter softened1 frac12 cups brown sugar3 eggs3 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 cups self raising flour1 frac12 good quality chocolate

covered honeycomb1 cup roasted almonds

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F Line threelarge baking trays with non-stick bakingpaper2 Beat butter and sugar until very wellcombined Add eggs and beat again un-til combined Sift in flour and stir with awooden spoon unitl well incorporated3 Roughly chop the honeycomb andalmond and add to the mixing bowl Stirgently until almonds and honeycombare evenly distributed through thecookie dough4 Roll tablespoon sized balls with thecookie mixture Place 12 balls on eachbaking tray (leaving enough room forthem to spread out slightly) and flattenslightly with your hand5 Place trays in the oven and bake for20 minutes until lightly golden turning

the trays and swapping their position inthe oven halfway through

Amanda

chewtowncom

Chocolate covered

honeycomb can

be purchased asa candy bar

in Australia

There are many

recipes to make

your own by

searching online

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 16: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1676

3 cups all-purpose flour1 3 cup unsweetened cocoa

powder1 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted

butter softened

1 frac34 cups sugar divided2 tablespoons instant

espresso powder2 large eggs1 teaspoon vanilla extract1 teaspoon peppermint

extract34 Hersheyrsquos Kisses Candy

Cane Flavored Candiesunwrapped

PEPPERMINTMOCHA BLOSSOMS

makes 34 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 375deg FLine a baking sheet withparchment paper or a sili-cone baking mat2 In a medium bowl com-bine flour cocoa powderbaking soda and salt

3 In the bowl of an electricmixer fitted with the paddleattachment beat butter 1frac14cups sugar and espressopowder on medium-high un-til light and fluffy about 2-3minutes Beat in eggs one ata time until well combinedBeat in vanilla and pepper-mint extract until well com-

bined Gradually add flourmixture to sugar mixture atlow speed beating just untilincorporated4 Roll tablespoons of doughinto 1-inch balls and coat inremaining frac12 cup sugar Place

onto baking sheet and bakeuntil outside is crackly butcenter is still moist about9-10 minutes5 Remove from oven and letcool 2-3 minutes before top-ping with a Candy Cane Kissin the center of each cookie

Chung-Ah damndeliciousnet

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 17: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1776

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 36 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 cup dark chocolate cocoa powder

(or unsweetened Dutch-process

cocoa powder )frac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces coarsely chopped dark

chocolate1 cup dark chocolate chips1 cup peanut butter chocolate chips1 stick unsalted butter1 frac12 cups sugar2 large eggs1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

sea salt for sprinkling

1 Preheat oven to 325deg F2 Whisk together flourcocoa powder baking soda

and salt in a medium bowlset aside Melt coarselychopped chocolate with thebutter in a small heatproofbowl in a double-boiler orin the microwave stirringfrequently3 Once melted transferchocolate mixture to thebowl of an electric mixerfitted with the paddle attach-

ment Add sugar eggs andvanilla mix on medium speeduntil combined Reduce

speed to low gradually mix inflour mixture Fold in choco-late and peanut butter chipsRound batter into heapingtablespoon-fulls and place2 inches apart on parch-ment-lined baking sheetsSprinkle each ball of doughwith a pinch of sea salt Bakeuntil cookies are flat and sur-faces begin to crack about

12-15 minutes (Do not over-bake these or they will dryout) Transfer on parchmentto wire racks and let cool4 Serve immediately orstore in a sealed containerfor up to 3 weeks

Ali

gimmesomeovencom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 18: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1876

1 Preheat oven 350deg F Line baking sheetwith a baking mat or parchment paper2 In a small saucepan brown your but-ter Over medium heat melt the butterWhisking frequently let the butter turninto an amber color It will foam a littleOnce it subsides and brown specks

appears at the bottom of the pan itwill begin to have a nutty aroma Oncebutter turns a light golden brown colortransfer to a bowl to cool or stick it inthe freezer to cool faster3 In a large bowl whisk together flourbaking soda and salt4 In a bowl with electric mixer attach-ment mix the brown butter with sugars5 Add egg and vanilla mix to combine6 Add the dry ingredients (flour etc)into wet ingredients (butter etc)

7 Using a rubber spatula mix in creamcheese slightly Fold in chocolate chipsand chopped Oreos8 Using a cookie scoop scoop doughonto prepared baking sheet about 2minutes apart each9 Bake for 11-13 minutes or until edg-es are slightly golden Let cookies coolslightly on baking sheet for 5 minutesbefore removing to cool completely oncooling rack

Lynna

heartsinmyovencom

CHOCOLATE CHIPOREO CREAM COOKIES

makes about 20 cookies

8 tablespoons (1 stick)unsalted butter

1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac14 cup granulated sugarfrac34 cup golden brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces cream cheese softened1 3 cup chocolate chips6 Oreo cookies chopped

The cream

cheese in this recipe helps

the cookies

stay soft for

a long time

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 19: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 1976

ORANGE SHORTBREADWITH DARK CHOCOLATE

AND PISTACHIOS makes 36 cookies

2 cups salted buttersoftened

frac34 cup light brownsugar

4 frac12 cups all-purposeflour

Zest of 1 navel orange1 cup dark chocolate

(chips or meltingwafers are easiest)

1 cup whole roastedand saltedpistachios chopped

1 In a large bowl witha large wooden spoonbegin to work the but-ter until it is very softbut not greasy Spread

and flatten it against thebowl with the back ofthe wooden spoon untilit is creamy and verypliable scraping downthe bowl occasionallyAdd the zest and sugarall at once and stir untilthe sugar is dissolvedand no longer gritty2 Add the flour 1 cupat a time incorporatingit fully before addingmore After you haveadded the second orthird cup you may wantto finish mixing withyour hands Once all 4frac12cups of flour have beenmixed in the dough willbe firm and uniformnot sticky but only dryenough to crack slightly

when pressed Leavethe dough to rest forat least 1 hour at roomtemperature Thisallows for the flavors tomeld and for the butterto be completely ab-sorbed by the flour

3 Once it is rested rollthe dough out to frac14rdquothick on a lightly flouredsurface Cut out cookiesin whatever shape youlike Press the tines ofa fork into each sideof the squares givingthem a ridged effectLastly they are piercedthree times with the

fork making 3 rowsof 4 small holes in thetop If you choose tomake round cookies orother shapes prickingthem will help ensurethat they bake up flatand smooth Not prick-ing them may resultin some bubbling andwarping of the surface4 Line a baking sheet

with parchment orleave it ungreased ifyou prefer Bake at325deg F for 18-20 min-utes until the bottomsand bottom edge aregolden and the tops aredry looking Cool thecookies on a wire rackDo not dip in choco-late until they are fully

Sarah

feastsforallseasonscom

cooled5 Chop the pistachiosfinely and melt thechocolate (with 10second intervals in themicrowave or in a heatproof bowl over sim-

mering water) Dunkthe cookies shaking offexcess (or dribble poolsof chocolate on top)and roll through thefinely chopped pista-chios Place the choco-late coated cookies onthe same parchmentlined cookie sheet andallow the chocolate to

firm up6 To store keep thesetightly sealed for up to2 weeks at room tem-perature

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 20: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2076

2 sticks butterroom temperature

1 frac12 cups sugar1 tablespoon light

corn syrup2 eggs2 teaspoons vanilla

bean paste2 frac12 cups flour1 4-ounce package

French vanillainstant pudding mix2 teaspoons cream of

tartar1 teaspoon baking

soda1 frac14 teaspoon kosher

saltfrac12 cup red and green

Christmas sprinkles

CHRISTMASCONFETTI COOKIES

makes about 36 cookies

1 Combine the buttersugar and corn syrup inthe bowl of a stand mix-er fitted with a paddleattachment and beaton medium-high speedfor 2-3 minutes Scrapedown the sides of thebowl Add the eggs andvanilla bean paste andmix for 7-8 minutes untilmixture is light and fluffy

2 Meanwhile in a sepa-rate bowl sift togetherthe flour French vanillapudding mix cream oftarter baking soda andsalt Slowly add to thewet ingredients mixinguntil the dough formstogether3 With the mixer at low

speed add the sprinklesand mix just until incor-porated4 Cover bowl withplastic wrap and chill forat least one hour and upto overnight5 Preheat oven to350degF Prepare a bakingsheet with parchmentpaper or baking mat6 Scoop dough out in

rounded tablespoonsapproximately one inchapart on the bakingsheet7 Bake for 18-20 min-utes then remove fromthe oven Allow to firmup on the cookie sheetfor 2 minutes then re-move from cookie sheetonto a wire cooling rack

frac12 heaping cup driedsour cherries

frac12 cup orange juice4 tablespoons butter

at room tempera-ture

1 cup sugarZest of 1 lemonfrac14 teaspoon salt2 eggs

2 frac12 teaspoons vanillafrac12 teaspoon almondextract

1 frac34 cups all-purposeflour

1 teaspoon bakingpowder

frac12 cup shelled

SOUR CHERRY ampPISTACHIO BISCOTTI

makes 18 cookies

1 Combine cherries andorange juice in a smallsaucepan and bring to a

simmer Cover removefrom heat and let sit Inthe bowl of a stand mix-er beat butter sugarzest and salt until fluffyAdd eggs one at a timebeating to incorporateand beat in extracts2 Drain the cherriesand gently fold themand the pistachios

Kristen

dineanddishnet

Melissa

luluthebakerblogspotcom

into the cookie doughSpread the dough on acookie sheet coveredwith parchment paperand refrigerate 1 hour3 When dough is thor-oughly chilled dividedough in half and rolleach half into a 14-inchcylinder on a floured

work surface Preheatthe oven to 350degF andline a fresh cookie sheetwith a clean sheet ofparchment paper Placethe 2 chunks of doughon the cookie sheet andbake them for 30 min-utes Remove cookiesfrom oven and turn theoven down to 275degF4 When the cookies

are cool enough to han-dle use a sharp knife tocut each log into 18 slic-es at a 45deg angle Trans-fer the cookies to a newparchment-lined cookiesheet bottom-sidedown and bake them at275degF for 1 hourRemove to a wire rackto cool completely

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 21: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2176

CHOCOLATE DIPPED CRANBERRY ORANGE SHORTBREAD makes 36 cookies

1 cup unsalted butter room temperature1 cup powdered sugar1 teaspoon vanilla extractfrac12 teaspoon salt2 cups of all-purpose flourZest of 2 orangesfrac12 cup of sweetened dried cranberries6 ounces of bittersweet chocolate chips

1 In the bowl of an electric mix-er beat butter sugar vanilla andsalt until smooth With mixer onlow speed add flour mixing justuntil a dough forms Use a spat-ula or wooden spoon to gentlystir in cranberries and orangezest Divide the dough in halfand place each half on a pieceof floured waxed paper Lightly

dust your hands with flour andgently roll each half of the doughinto a 1frac12-inch-diameter logWrap logs tightly in the papertwisting the ends up and refrig-erate until firm 1 to 1frac12 hours(To store longer wrap log andpaper tightly with plastic wrap)2 Preheat oven to 350deg F Un-wrap the logs and use a serratedknife to slice the logs into 3 8 inchslices If the dough doesnrsquot slice

well allow the it to sit at roomtemperature for about 5 minutesand try again Arrange the slices

about 1 inch apart on bakingsheets3 Bake until slightly puffed andlightly golden around the edges15 to 20 minutes Cool on thebaking sheets for 1 to 2 minutesand then transfer them to a wirerack to cool completely4 Place chocolate in a micro-wave safe bowl Microwave on

high for 30 seconds and thenstir Microwave on high in 15second intervals stirring be-tween each time until chocolateis melted5 Dip cooled cookies halfwayinto the chocolate and thenplace dipped cookies ontoparchment lined baking sheetsRefrigerate until firmCookies can be storedin an air tight container

at room temperaturefor 5 days

Emily

jellytoastblogcom

COVER

RECIPE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 22: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2276

For the shortbread 1 stick unsalted butter

softened frac14 cup superfine

granulated sugar1 teaspoon vanilla

extract983225 8 teaspoon saltfrac34 cup all-purpose

flour frac14 cup unsweetened

Dutch-processcocoa powder

For the filling1 3 cup shortening

frac14 cup water1 frac14 tablespoons

peppermint extract1 pound powdered

sugarfrac12 teaspoon salt

crushed candycanes optional

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINTSANDWICH COOKIES

makes about 24 sandwiches

For the shortbread dough1 Cream butter sugar and salt in a bowluntil well combined2 Sift flour and cocoa into buttermixture and blend just until mixtureforms a soft dough3 Divide dough in half and place eachhalf in between two sheets of parch-ment paper Roll the dough out toroughly 983225 8rdquo Chill dough uncovered untilfirm about 30 minutes Preheat oven to375degF while dough chills

For the filling1 In a stand mixer or bowl combineshortening salt peppermint and waterMix on lowest speed with paddleattachment or handbeaters As liquidgets incorporated into shortening grad-ually increase speed until creamy andcombined2 Reduce speed to low and gradual-ly add frac14 of the powdered sugar until

incorporated3 Slowly add the rest of the sugarworking in four additions Taste testThe cream should be spreadable butnot too thin If the mixture is too thinyou can add more powdered sugar andif it is too stiff you can add more water4 Remove one sheet of dough from thefridge Cut circles with a 1rdquo - 15rdquo cookiecutter and place on cookie sheet Bakeshortbreads in middle of oven untilcenters are dry to the touch and edges

are slightly darker about 10-12 minutesCool on baking sheet on a rack 10 min-utes Transfer to rack to cool

Assembling cookies1 Once the cookie shells are cool takeone circle pipe with a piping bag and7 tip or spread it with a layer of pep-permint filling and top with anothershortbread circle Roll frosted edges incrushed candy canes if desired

Kelly

kellybakescom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 23: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2376

1 frac14 cup confectioners sugar1 cup ground almond meal3 egg whites from large eggs room

temperaturefrac14 cup sugarfrac12 teaspoon pure vanilla extract1-2 drops food coloring or food gel

(optional)

Candy Cane Fillingfrac12 cup unsalted butter softened1 cup confectioners sugar4 ounces Wilton Candy Cane

Colorburst Candy Melts meltedand slightly cooled

CANDY CANE

MACARONS makes 24 cookies

1 Line 2-3 large baking sheets withparchment paper and set asideIn a medium bowl sift confectioners

sugar and almond meal and set aside2 Using an electric mixer whisk eggwhites until foamy on medium speedSprinkle in sugar vanilla and foodcoloring and whip on medium highspeed until soft peaks form3 Gradually fold in almond mixture intoegg whites a third at a time until mixturebecomes glossy and has a ribbon likeconsistency4 Place batter into pastry bag fittedwith a round tip and pipe about 48

1-inch circles on prepared baking sheetsTap side of baking sheet to remove anyair bubbles Let stand at room tem-perature for 30 minutes to 1 hour untiltop can be touched without any battercoming up5 Preheat oven to 350degF Bake in pre-heated oven for 12-16 minutes rotatinghalf way through Cool on baking sheetfor 5 minutes then transfer to wire rackto cool completely

Candy Cane Filling1 Using an electric mixer beat butter un-til fluffy Gradually add in confectionerssugar until combined Blend in meltedchocolate until creamy Place filling inpastry bag fitted with round tip2 Pair up same size macarons Swirla small amount of filling on macaronand gently sandwich paired macaronstogether3 Store in an airtight container

Jennifer

mothertymecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 24: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2476

frac12 cup unsalted butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugarfrac12 cup packed brown sugar1 large egg1 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac14 teaspoon salt1 cup dried cranberries1 cup roasted hazelnuts

half roughly chopped andhalf finely chopped intovery tiny pieces

Sea saltfrac14 cup dark chocolate chipsfrac14 cup white chocolate

chips

HAZELNUT CRANBERRY COOKIESWITH A CHOCOLATE DRIZZLE

makes 18-24 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 300degF Line abaking sheet with parchment pa-per and set aside2 In a bowl beat the softenedbutter and sugars together with anelectric hand-held mixer until themixture is light and fluffy (about aminute)3 Add the egg and vanilla and beatto incorporate for about 1 minute4 In a separate bowl combine the

flour baking soda and salt Dumpthe mixture slowly into the butter sugar mixture and mix (using arubber spatula) until everything isthoroughly combined5 Add the dried cranberries andnuts Mix well6 Using a cookie scoop scoop 1frac12 tablespoons of dough at a time

onto the baking sheet Repeat untilthe sheet is full (about 5-6 cook-ies) Make sure the dough is round-ed so it bakes nicely and leaveabout 2 inches between each ballof dough Then sprinkle each ballof dough with a little bit of sea salt7 Bake for 18-22 minutes Thecookies are ready when they startto get golden brown on the edgesLet the cookies cool on the baking

sheet for 3-5 minutes and thentransfer them to a cooling rackLet cookies cool completely Whilecookies are cooling place the whiteand dark chocolate (in separatebowls) in the microwave8 Melt the chocolate for 30 sec-onds and then stir Repeat untilchocolate is just melted but notvery hot9 Place the chocolate in individ-ual piping bags (or ziplocks with a

corner cut off)10 Drizzle the chocolate over thecooled cookies and let the choco-late harden completely

Stephanie

lifetasteslikefoodcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 25: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2576

LINZER THUMBPRINTCOOKIES

makes 50-60 small cookies

frac34 cup salted butterfrac34 cup raw cane sugar2 large egg yolks2 teaspoons almond extract1 cup all-purpose flour1 cup almond meal divided in half frac12 teaspoons baking powder1 teaspoon five spice1 jar apple butter

1 Preheat oven to 350degF Whisk flour frac12 cup almondmeal baking powder and five spice together with afork In a separate bowl cream butter and sugar Addegg yolks one at a time followed by almond extractGently fold in dry mixture in two parts until just com-

bined2 Roll dough into 1 teaspoon sized balls and roll eachone in remaining almond meal Place on Silpat lineror parchment paper lined cookie sheet Make a wellin the middle of the dough with the end of a wood-en spoon You want to put what looks like too muchapple butter into the well Remember the cookies aregoing to spread in the oven A heaping frac12 teaspoon isabout the right amount Bake for 18 minutes and coolon a wire cookie rack

Hannah

nothingbutdeliciouscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 26: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2676

SPICED MUSHROOMCOOKIES

makes 36 cookies

1 Combine flour soda andspices in a medium bowlSet aside2 Cream butter and sugaruntil well combined Add ineggs mixing well after eachaddition3 Stir in yogurt and honeySlowly add in flour mixtureand mix until well combineChill for one hour or up toovernight4 Preheat oven to 375degFPrepare cookie sheets with

parchment or silicone bakemats5 Once dough is chilledscoop about a tablespoonsized ball for the mushroomcaps Roll the dough ballsaround in your hands Makean indent on the bottom withthe end of a small roundwooden spoon handle Gen-tly press so you donrsquot squish

the dough too much Placebottom side down on bak-ing sheet For the stems rollabout a half of a tablespoonof dough about an inch and a

half long with one end point-ed and the other slightly flatPlace stems on a separatebaking sheet from the caps6 Bake 10-12 minutes forcaps 8-10 for stems if theholes in the caps close uponce cooled scrape a littleback out with a sharp knife just enough to fit the pointedend of the stem in it Matchup stems and caps so theyare ready to ldquogluerdquo together

For the icing1 Combine sugar water andlemon juice Dip pointedend of stems in the icing letexcess drip off and insert intoindent in caps Place cap sidedown and let fully dry2 Add cocoa to the remain-ing icing and mix Carefullydip the caps in the icing andlie on a wire drying rack and

let fully dry These keep wellat room temperature in anairtight container for up toa week or frozen for severalmonths

frac14 cup sweet cream butterroom temperature

frac12 cup granulated sugar2 eggs room temperaturefrac14 cup plain yogurtfrac34 cup honey4 cups all-purpose flour1 frac12 teaspoons baking soda1 teaspoons cinnamonfrac14 teaspoons all-spice

frac14 teaspoons nutmegfrac12 teaspoons ginger

Icing ingredients2 cups powdered sugarfrac14 cup water1 tablespoons lemon juice1 tablespoons cocoa powder

Shanna

pineappleandcoconutcom

First off there were no real mushroom

harmed in the making of these

they are merely shaped like

mushrooms second they donrsquot taste

like mushrooms either

ldquo

rdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 27: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2776

frac12 cup (1 stick) salted butterfrac12 cup peanut butterfrac12 cup sugarfrac12 cup brown sugar1 large eggfrac12 teaspoon vanilla extract1frac14 cup flourfrac34 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltCanola oil cooking spray

1 Preheat oven to 375degF2 In a large bowl stir together first six ingredientsuntil smooth and creamy3 Sift dry ingredients and add to peanut buttermixture Stir until combined4 Shape mixture into balls (2 tablespoons each)and place on a greased cookie sheet about2 inches apart Press cookies with the tines of afork and bake for about 10-12 minutes Let sit oncookie sheet for about a minute before removing

to a cooling rack

PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES makes 30 cookies

5 cups Cornflakes cereal1 package (11 ounces) butterscotch chipsfrac12 cup creamy peanut butter

NO-BAKE BUTTERSCOTCH

CORNFLAKE COOKIES makes 60 cookies

1 Measure cereal into a very large bowl setaside2 In a 1-quart microwaveable bowl melt thechips and peanut butter in the microwave on

high for 1 minute Stir until smooth (micro-wave an additional 30 seconds if needed)3 Remove melted butterscotch from micro-wave and pour over the cereal Use a rubberspatula or wooden spoon to gently mix thecereal and coat with the butterscotch4 Drop by small spoonfuls onto wax paperAllow to completely cool until hardened

Nikki

seededatthetablecom Rachel

simplyfreshcookingcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 28: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2876

frac34 cup butter softenedfrac14 cup sugarfrac34 cup brown sugar1 box (34 ounces) instant vanilla pudding dry2 eggs1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon baking soda2 frac14 cups all-purpose flour1 cup Andes Peppermint Crunch piecesfrac12 cup White Chocolate Peppermint MampMs

1 Preheat oven to 350degF2 In a large bowl cream the butter sugar andbrown sugar together 3 Add the vanilla puddingmix and beat until incorporated4 Beat in the eggs and vanilla until combined

5 In a small bowl combine the flour and bakingsoda Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredi-ents until all ingredients are well incorporated6 Stir in the Peppermint Crunch pieces and MampMsuntil they are all mixed into the dough7 Roll the dough into rounded teaspoonfuls andplace on an ungreased cookie sheet 8 Bakefor 8-10 minutes or until the cookies are goldenbrown Cool completely

PEPPERMINT MampMPUDDING COOKIES

makes 24 cookies1 cup shorteningfrac34 cup sugar1 cup firmly packed dark brown sugar2 eggs2 cups all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda1 cup crushed corn flakesfrac12 cup coconut flakes1 cup chopped pecans1 teaspoon vanilla

RANGER COOKIES makes about 48 cookies

1 Preheat oven to 325degF Prepare bakingsheet with parchment paper2 Sift together the flour baking powder andbaking soda in a medium bowl Mix in thecorn flakes coconut and pecans Set aside

3 Cream the shortening in the bowl of anelectric mixer and slowly add the sugar Beatin eggs one at a time4 Gradually add the flour mixture Mix in thevanilla5 Drop cookies (about 1rdquo in size) using aspoon or cookie scoop onto a baking sheetabout 2 inches apart Bake for 10-12 minutesRemove from oven and let cool for about 5minutes on the baking sheet before transfer-ring to a wire cooling rack to cool

Melissa

sterlingandoatsblogspotcom

Alyssa

whatscookinglovecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 29: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 2976

For the cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purposeflourfrac12 teaspoon baking

sodafrac14 teaspoon saltfrac12 cup vanilla sugar

plus 2 tablespoons1 tablespoon light

brown sugar packed4 ounces good quali-

ty unsalted butter

room temperature 1 room temperatureorganic cage freeegg

2 tablespoons chai teapowder (made fromabout 6 good qualitychai tea bags I usedTazo decaffeinated)

Vanilla Chai Sugar (for rolling cookies in)

frac14 cup vanilla sugarfrac14 teaspoon chai tea

powder

For Chai Tea Powder(for use in cookie doughand Vanilla Chai Sugar)1 In a food processoror powerful blenderadd contents of 6 chaitea bags I just simply

removed bags snippedoff the top with kitchenshears and dumpedeach bagrsquos tea into the

processor

2 Process on high forabout 30 seconds oruntil you have a finepowder3 Dump powder care-fully into a bowl and setaside

For the cookies1 Preheat oven to350degF and set two racksin oven to the middleLine two sheet panswith parchment or bak-ing liners Set aside2 Make vanilla chai sug-ar by mixing together frac14cup of vanilla sugar andfrac14 teaspoon of chai teapowder into a dish orpie pan Set aside3 Add room tempera-ture butter vanilla sugar

and brown sugar into thebowl of a stand mixerMix on medium-high untillight in color and fluffyfor about 5 minutes4 While the butter andsugar is creaming sifttogether flour bakingsoda and salt and setaside5 Scrape down sides

of mixer bowl andadd room temperatureegg Mix again until fullycombined Scrape down

sides again Next add 2

tablespoons of chai teapowder Mix well6 With mixer on lowadd the sifted flourmix Combine until justincorporated7 With a frac12rdquo ice creamscoop scoop out ballsof dough Roll in handsuntil smooth and roundthen roll around invanilla chai sugar Makesure all of the surface ofeach ball is covered8 After the dough hasbeen rolled in sugar

place onto baking sheet

about 1 frac12 -2rdquo apartabout a dozen on eachsheet pan9 Bake for about 15minutes Remove fromoven as soon as cookieshave risen cracked alittle on top and are justbeginning to brown onthe bottom Do not letbottoms get darker thana light golden colormdashitwill take away from thechai flavor Allow to coolon a wire rack for 10minutes and enjoy

CHAI TEA SUGAR COOKIES makes 24 cookies

Christina

sweetlavendarbakeshoppecom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 30: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3076

frac34 cup unsalted buttermelted

1 cup brown sugar1 1 3 cup all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon kosher saltfrac12 teaspoon baking soda1 cup quick cook oatsfrac34 cup crispy rice cereal

frac14 cup Jif Mocha Cappucci-no Hazelnut Spread1 frac12 cups white chocolate

morsels melted1 bag (10 ounces) Andes

Peppermint Crunch bak-ing chips

1 In a mixing bowl add butterand brown sugar until com-bined Stir in flour salt andbaking soda Mix in hazelnutspread Slowly fold in oatsand cereal2 Press dough into a largeparchment paper lined cook-ie sheet3 Bake in a 350degF ovenfor 20-25 minutes untilbrowned Allow to cool in pancompletely4 To finish spread meltedwhite chocolate over top

of cookie bark Immediatelysprinkle with Andes bakingchips Allow to set about 15minutes and cut into triangu-lar pieces Serve and enjoy

PEPPERMINTMOCHA

COOKIE CRISPS makes 36 cookies

Aimee

shugarysweetscom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 31: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3176

2 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cornstarch1 cup dark cocoa powderfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon baking powderfrac12 teaspoon salt4 ounces dark chocolate with

almonds and sea salt2 ounces milk chocolate1 teaspoon instant

espresso powder2 sticks butter plus 2 table-

spoons butter or shorteningfor melting chocolate

2 frac12 cups granulated sugar4 large eggs2 teaspoons vanilla extractSea salt for sprinkling

1 bag Gharidelli 60 chips48 rolosFleur de sel for sprinkling

1 Sift dry ingredients togethertwice and whisk until complete-ly combined In a double boilermelt chocolate with instantespresso powder and 2 table-spoons butter (or shortening)Cream remaining butter andsugar with paddle attachmentin stand mixer Beat in eggs oneat a time then vanilla Add inchocolate mixture and continuemixing 2 Add in dry mixtureand beat until just combinedStir in chocolate chips3 Using a tablespoon sizedscoop fill half the scoop withdough then place rolo facedown in the center then cover

the rest so you have a heapingtbsp full4 Place on greased bakingsheet and bake at 325degF for10 minutes per batch Top withfleur de sel while still warmAllow to cool for 10 minutesbefore serving

SALTED DARK CHOCOLATEROLO-FILLED COOKIES

makes 48 cookies

Laura

ringngertanlinecom

Being part of the

Great Food Blog

Cookie Swap

means a lot to me

I was blogging

for two months

when I joined myrst Cookie Swap

with you That

was the rst time

I ever felt part of

the food blogging

community I met

fabulous bloggers

whom I am still in contact with

This is my third

year now and

as long as you

have the swap

I will join in

~ Jennifer Drummond Peanut Butterand Peppers

ldquo

rdquo

sign up for updates here

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 32: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3276

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 33: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3376

BOARD GAMES

written and photographed by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Small gatherings

donrsquot have to

be a big affair

as long as you

have quality

company foodand drink

The Vintage

Mixerrsquos BECKY

ROSENTHAL shares the secrets

to her simple party style

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 34: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3476

ou could say food bloggerBecky Rosenthal and her

husband Josh have a knack formaking people feel like joiningthe party

As the creator of the foodblog The Vintage Mixer Becky sharesseasonal fare and recipes always witha connection to making the experiencepersonal But she doesnrsquot stop thereShe also authors a guide to local food

and events in Salt Lake City Utah at SLFoodie and the duo is the force behind

SLC Mixers where Becky and Josh connect their community with local chefsand food purveyors through intimatefood experiences and events

ldquoWe love small gatherings becauseit gives us the opportunity to engagedeeper than with a big crowd makingthe food experience one where we canconnect with guestsrdquo explains Becky

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 35: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3576

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 36: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3676

SPANISH-STYLE BOARD

Green olives Make sure and have a extra bowl for pits

Marcona almonds These are a little fancier than regular almonds with a morecreamy almost buttery taste

Manchego amp Wisconsinrsquos Roth Kaumlse Affinee Blue cheeses

Seeded crackers and the classic Negroni cocktail

MANCHEGO

WISCONSINrsquoSROTH KAumlSE

AFFINEE BLUE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 37: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3776

With their extended families livingin other states Becky and Josh make

weekly gatherings with friends at theirhome a priority and usually ground thegathering with a theme

ldquoCheese boards offer a fun eatingexperience because it puts the deci-sion making and creating in the handsof our guestsrdquo says Becky ldquoIt elongatesthe dining experience and makes for amore relaxed time togetherrdquo

The couple also keep it simple byserving one signature cocktail that can

be customized for new flavor experi-ences as the evening progresses Joshsuggests if yoursquore having an early after-noon cheese party ldquoTry serving an ap-ertif cocktail like the Negronirdquo The pairalso suggests finding local cheese ormeats to incorporate so you have a storyto tell with the food and if the maker isavailable invite them to the party too

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 38: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3876

Wersquore partial to local Deer Valley Resortrsquos

Flaxseed Crackers that make a crisp base of any size

and go well with savory or sweet

USE CRACKERS OR BREAD

THAT CAN TRANSITION WELL

BETWEEN THE DIFFERENT

CHEESES SO YOU

DONrsquoT HAVE TO PURCHASE

MULTIPLE TYPES

ldquo

rdquo

TIP

1

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 39: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 3976

FRUIT amp CHEESE BOARD

Sliced DrsquoAnjou pears Leave a knife on the platterand let the guests do the slicing

Fig spread or jam and local honey

3 soft cheeses We used Cana de Cabramdasha soft-ripened goat cheesemdashand Nocetto di Capramdasha velvety white cheesemdashas well as the Deer Valley ResoMoon Shadow ash-ripened goats milk cheese

Seeded crackers and the Coccinella Negroni

DEER VALLEYMOON SHADOW

ASH-RIPENEDGOAT CHEESE CANA DE CABRA

NOCETTODI CAPRA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 40: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4076

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 41: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4176

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 42: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4276

TIP

2

SERVE ONE COCKTAIL THAT CAN BE ADAPTED SO GUESTS FEEL

COMFORTABLE WITH EXPERIMENTING ALSO BE SURE

TO WELCOME YOUR GUESTS WITH A GLASS UPON ARRIVAL

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

SWEETENED

COCCINELLA

NEGRONI

AMERICANO

NEGRONI

CLASSICNEGRONI

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 43: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4376

Classic Negroni makes 1 cocktail

1 ounce Gin1 ounce Sweet Vermouth1 ounce CampariTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

Coccinellaby Amy Eldredge mixologist at Bar X

SLC UT makes 1 cocktail

3 4 ounce limefrac12 ounce simple syrup(11)1 ounce Campari1 ounce Dolin Sweet Vermouth1 dash Fee Brothers Aztec

Chocolate BittersTopped with club soda and an

orange twist

Build cocktail in the glass stir

Served on the rocks and garnishwith a twist of orange

Americano makes 1 cocktail

frac12 ounce Sweet Vermouthfrac12 ounce CampariSplash of sparkling waterTwist of orange

Build cocktail in the glass stirGarnish with a twist of orange

A D A P T A B L E S I G N A T U R E C O C K T A I L

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 44: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4476

MEAT amp CHEESE BOARD

Pastrami House made by FrodyVolgger of Caputorsquos Salt LakeCity

Mustard Edmond Fallot WalnutDijon from Becky and Joshrsquostravels to Beaune France

Ossau Iraty Reserve Aged anextra 6 months in the cheesecave at Caputos this cheeseis intensely sweet and nuttywith a crystalline mouthfeel

Seeded crackers and theAmericao A lighter versionof the negroni

OSSAU IRATYRESERVE

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 45: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4576

When serving

more than one cheese per board try

different shapes

sizes or textures

of cheesesmdashlike

the wheel

versus the wedge

Meet and get to

know your localcheesemonger or

grocery store cheese

expert to fnd locally

produced cheeses

and favorites from

around the world

If yoursquore putting

together severalcheese boards use

boards of different

textures Stone

chalkboard metal

and wood offer

variety They donrsquot

even have to be

actual cheese boards

and itrsquos more fun

when theyrsquore not

Leave some things

un-sliced andlet the guests do the

work so their

experience is more

interactive

Cutting into a big

wedge of gooey

cheese can be fun

And a great

conversation starter

TIP

3

VISIT WWWTHEVINTAGEMIXERCOM

FOR MORE OF BECKYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 46: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4676

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 47: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4776

written by

HAYLEY TEATER of TIPTOES IN THE KITCHEN

ozying up to a favorite dessert is one of the best thingsabout the holidays no matter where you live Regularingredients like sugar and flour take on entirely new meaningdepending upon what traditional flavorings are added inWith the internet bridging boundaries by delivering recipes

in every language to eager home bakers these six foodbloggers all put their stamp on delectable desserts fromacross the globe showcasing their countryrsquos traditions andcultures and bringing good cheer with each and every bite

A R O U N D T H E

W O R L D I N

S I X D E S S E RT S

Love for desserts knows no boundaries as food bloggersrsquo

traditional holiday sweets bring joy to the world

Jo y t t Wor l d

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 48: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4876

recipe amp photography by

ANNA WITKIEWICZ

everyday flavours blogspot COM

BPepparkakor

makes about 60 cookies

5 ounces butter5 ounces treacle

3 frac12 ounces brown sugar2 ounces dark Muscavado

sugar1 5 cup milk2 cups all-purpose flour4 frac12 ounces whole meal flourfrac12 teaspoon baking powder2 medium eggs4 teaspoons ground cinnamon3 teaspoons ground cloves3 teaspoons ground ginger

5 cardamon seeds1 teaspoon ground pepperfrac12 teaspoon fresh ground nutmeg1 white egg1- 1 frac12 cup caster sugar

For the cookies

1 Put the butter molasses milkand brown sugar and Muscavadoin a pot Place the pot on me-dium heat and stir often until thesugar and butter dissolve Leaveto cool down Place both typesof flour baking powder andspices in a bowl add the cooledmass and eggs Knead the dough

by hand or in a food processorand wrap in plastic wrap Leavein the fridge for at least an hour2 Preheat the oven to 350deg FRoll out the dough thin and cutinto different shapes Then place

on a baking tray lined with bak-ing paper Bake for 10-12 min-utes Cool completely then ice

For the icing 1 When the gingerbread coolsprepare the frosting Place theegg white and caster sugar intoyour food processor set to me-dium speed and mix until it getssnow-white

y profession Anna Witkiewicz is a civil engineer who lives inPoland however she has always been attracted to photographyShe perused blogs from around the world admiring culinaryphotos until one day she decided start her own blog EverydayFlavours On her blog you can find many sweet pastries becauseshe likes to photograph them the most

ldquoOne of my favorite Christmas traditions that Irsquove been cultivating for many yearsand without which I simply canrsquot imagine Christmas is getting together with friendsand baking all kinds of gingerbreads The most important thing about those gath-erings is not the baking itself but spending that special time of year together sur-rounded by friends We usually meet in the morning a few days before ChristmasEve and spend the whole day baking and decorating the cookies It is hard work aswe have to bake enough for everyone to take a sizeable portion to their homes sowe lessen the burden with considerable amounts of gossip and hot tea The result

is always impressivemdasha whole room jam-packed with full plates of delicious cook-ies Later back at home I pack the gingerbreads into plastic bags or thread themwith ribbons so they can be hung on the Christmas tree but some get eaten beforeChristmas comesrdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 49: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 4976

Pepparkakor

POLAND

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 50: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5076

recipe amp photography by

YVETTE MARQUEZ

muy bueno cookbook COM

vetteMarquez

is one third

of the womenbehind MuyBueno Cook-book a collab-

orative effort and familyaffair Between Yvetteher sister Veronica wholives in Germany and theirmother Evangelina whoresides in Texas shar-

ing traditional recipes oftheir Mexican heritage isa global affair For Yvetteholiday time is family timeand preparing food has al-ways been a central focuswhether itrsquos with her fam-ily in Denver Colorado oraround the world

Cuernitosde Nuez

ME XICO

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 51: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5176

Cuernitos de Nuez(Butter Pecan Cookies)

makes about 80 to 85 cookies

1 cup butter softenedfrac12 cup granulated sugar2 teaspoons vanilla

2 cups all-purpose flourfrac12 teaspoon salt1 frac12 cups finely chopped pecansConfectionerrsquos sugar

1 Preheat oven to 350deg F In a me-dium bowl beat butter sugar andvanilla with an electric mixer untilcreamy Gradually beat in flour saltand chopped pecans2 To shape the cookies take a gen-

erous tablespoon of dough and rolit into a log Place it on the preparecookie sheet lined with parchmentpaper and shape it into a crescentby pressing the edges and bendingthem slightly Repeat until all thedough is used

3 Space them about frac12 inch apart othe cookie sheet Bake for about 10to 12 minutes or until slightly goldeWhile cookies are still warm dustwith confectionerrsquos sugar Doughcan be prepared one day in advancKeep dough in a tightly sealed con-tainer in the fridge Once cookiesare baked they can be stored for onweek in an airtight container

ldquoThese cuernitos de nuezcookies are traditional

Mexican cookies usuallymade for weddings babyshowers and ChristmasThey are called cuernitosbecause they are shapedlike little ldquohornsrdquo Last yearwas the first year I madethem and gave them asChristmas gifts for friends

and neighbors I plan tomake them again this yearand will be sure to add themto my Christmas gift givingtradition This year I alsomade homemade dulce deleche which I know peoplewill flip over I love thathomemade gifts are

appreciated and sharing

my love of food with othersmakes me vey happy

Every year my kiddosand I make cookies togetheror a special dessert I havea lot of fond memories inthe kitchen with my momand my goal is that mychildren will have thesame simple and beautifulmemories of their child-

hood Memories made inthe kitchen are memoriesthat will last a lifetimeEvery year we also makea gingerbread house anddecorate sugar cookiesAnd every Christmas Evewe pick the prettiestcookies to leave for

Santarsquos platerdquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 52: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5276

MldquoFor me Christmas is all aboutcookies and warm winter spices

Gingerbread cookies are by far myfavorite type of holiday cookie andtraditional Croatian honey cook-ies are actually not that differentfrom these gingerbreads There aremany variations of the honey cook-ie and this particular recipe is thebasic one You need only a handfulof basic ingredients and less than30 minutes of your time to makethem But the real beauty of thesespiced cookies lies in the fact thatthey can be made either weeksbefore Christmas or quickly puttogether on Christmas Eve This ismy go to recipe when Irsquom behindwith my holiday baking or to behonest whenever I feel like eatingsomething sweet I usually embel-

lish them with walnuts or almondsbut sometimes I skip the nuts

altogether and just roll them inicing sugar or cover them with asimple sugar glaze

In my family holidays are all aboutfood A good hearty and aboveall generous meal is undoubtedlythe leitmotif of all family festivi-ties Food has the power to bringus together evoke loving memo-ries and create new unforgettablemoments Every holiday mealalthough essentially the same isa unique experience It tells a dif-ferent version of the story yoursquoveheard so many times before thestory you love and it can still sur-prise you in the most pleasantways Itrsquos a tradition I look forwardto every single holidayrdquo

recipe amp photography by

MONIKA TOPOLKO

bake noir COM

onika Topolko is an English teacher and occasionalcrafter who bakes cooks and writes for her blogBake Noir The mom-to-be lives with her husband ina small town in northwest Croatia

HoneyCookies

CROA TIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 53: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5376

ldquo rdquo

Food has the power to bring us together evoke loving memories

and create new unforgettable moments

Honey Cookies makes about 80 cookies

4 1 3 cups all-purpose flour1 heaping teaspoon baking

soda1 teaspoon cinnamonfrac14 teaspoon clovesfrac12 heaping cup sugar6 tablespoons honey3 large eggs1 egg white to brush the

cookies80 walnut halves

1 Preheat the oven to 350deg FLine two baking sheets withparchment paper

2 In a large bowl combine flourbaking soda cinnamon clovesand sugar Add honey and eggsMix with a wooden spoon toform a dough Take a teaspoonof the dough and form a smallball using the palms of yourhands Repeat with the rest ofthe dough3 Place the balls onto preparedbaking sheets about 2 cm apart

Brush each ball with some eggwhite and press a walnut half ontop of each ball Bake for 10-12

minutes Donrsquot over-bake themor else they will be too hardThey are done when they startbrowning at the bottom Therest of the cookie should not getdark Cool them on a rack andstore in an airtight containerThey can be stored for up tofour weeks

rdquo ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 54: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5476

lisa Palmer is a blogger

and photographer basedin Lubbock Texas and

is a mom to a sweetred-headed little girl

named Olive Sheshares stories of how she nour-ishes her family on her blogThe Family Meal

ldquoI cook all the time and am alwayslooking for ways to use up everyingredient I have in the housebefore I go back to the grocerystore for more I first made this pie

for a Cajun-themed dinner partywe were having with friends I hada surplus of sweet potatoes andI thought Whatrsquos more Southernthan sweet potato pie So I wentto work and modified a very simplerecipe I found online and createdthe butter rum sauce to go on theside because the pie itself is actu-ally not very sweetmdashit was perfect

This pie is special to me becauseI shared it with my familymdashmydaughter helped me roll out thedough and loved the pie crustleaves on the top and it was awonderful way to end a warm fallmeal with great friends My favor-ite holiday tradition though is theeggnog my mom makes on

recipe amp photography by

ALISA PALMER

family meal blog COM

Christmas day It is my favorite holiday drink anany from the grocery store because Irsquom waitingat my momrsquos house Itrsquos been several years sinchaving that thick cup of eggnog after opening takes me back to being a kid again every time

Sweet Potato Pie with

Butter Rum Sauce

D EEP SO U TH USA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 55: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5576

This pie is special to me because

I shared it with my family

My daughter helped me roll out the dough andloved the pie crust leaves on the top

Sweet Potato Piewith ButterRum Sauce

makes one 9rdquo pie

3 cups cooked peeledand mashed sweetpotatoes (about 3medium potatoes)

2 eggs2 tablespoons melted

butterfrac14 teaspoon cinnamon1 8 teaspoon nutmegfrac12 cup cream

frac12 teaspoon lemon juice2 teaspoons vanilla

dash of saltfrac12 cup sugar

1 Boil the potatoeswhole in plenty of water(covering them by abouttwo inches) for about30 minutes until ten-der all the way through

Peel them after theyrsquovecooled a bit and givethem a rough dice Mixthe potatoes in a standmixer with the paddleattachment until theyare smooth and very fewlumps remain2 Mix the eggs with thecream and spices lemon juice and vanilla until

smooth and graduallymix it into the potatoeswhile running on low

Add the salt and sugarand let the mixture blendon medium for about 5minutes3 Pour filling into un-baked 9rdquo pie shell bakefor 40-45 minutes at350-325degF Serve withbutter rum sauce orwhipped cream (See mypie crust recipe belowIt really is the best pie

crust Irsquove ever made anditrsquos pretty fool-proof)

Butter Rum Sauce1 stick of butter1 3 cup heavy creamfrac12 cup sugara few pinches of kosher

salt to taste2 tablespoons rum

1 In a saucepan let thebutter melt with thecream and sugar and stiruntil the sugar is com-pletely dissolved Addsalt until it tastes right toyoumdashlet it take some ofthe sweetness away andgive it some depth2 Add the rum mix welland serve

The Best Pie CrustEver1 cup (2 sticks) cold

butter chopped intolittle pieces2 cups all-purpose flou1 teaspoon kosher salt1 8 cup ice water

1 Put a cup of flour inyour stand mixer witha paddle attachmentand add the salt Mixto blend Add half thebutter by small handfuls

beating on low until allthe butter is fully incor-porated into that cup offlour2 Add the next cup offlour and beat on lowuntil completely blende3 Add the water sprinkby sprinkle until thedough comes togetherand stays together whe

pressed with your fin-gers Flatten out into adisc and wrap in plasticwrap chill for at leastone hour before useMakes enough for onedeep dish pie or a smalldouble-crust pie

ldquo

rdquo

out and donrsquot buyultimate versiond at home buton Christmas day

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 56: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5676

recipe amp photography by

MEETA WOLFF

whats for lunch honey NET

eeta Wolff is the brain behind theblog Whatrsquos for Lunch Honey Thefood photography and travelenthusiast lives in Weimar Germanywith her husband Tom and their sonSoeren

ldquoWhile Christmas is an adopted festivity for me celebrat-ing it with my husband and his family through the yearsI have gladly embraced it and take delight in all its elabo-rateness as much as my 11-year old son does I love thistime of yearmdashthe sights of the sparkly fairy lights againstthe pureness of freshly fallen snow the sounds of giggles

and carols as children run pulling sledges behind them andthrowing snowballs at each other the aromas of pepperyincense wrapping its warmth around us as we sit sippingsweet spiced mulled wine huddled by a crackling fire sur-rounded by glittering decoration

In Germany the Christmas trees usually go up around the23rd but before that we countdown in style decoratingthe house with candles brushwood and some glitter Eachadvent we light a candle inviting friends and family for

cake and cookies The stollen is a must at the table Eachregion in Germany has its own traditional variety Somewill have marzipan some have candied fruit peel otherswith nuts and raisins while some include poppy seeds Ihave deviated from the traditional stollens and given thismy own twist Sticky dates brought back from Dubai driedfigs slivered hazelnuts slatherings of orange marmaladeand quark all make this stollen moist and rich If there wasno stollen on the tableit would just not be Christmasrdquo

Stollen

GERMANY

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 57: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5776

Stollen makes 12

For the Stollen1 cup all-purpose flour1 teaspoon baking

powderfrac12 cup dates roughlychoppedfrac12 cup dried figs

roughly choppedfrac14 cup sugar2 tablespoons orange

marmaladefrac14 cup hazelnuts

sliced or slivered1 egg3 4 cup quarkfrac14 cup butter

For the Glaze1 tablespoons butter4 tablespoons orange

marmalade2 tablespoons sugarIcing sugar

1 Preheat oven to 375degF and line a baking traywith some baking paperSift the flour and bakingpowder into a bowl andset aside In a sepa-rate bowl mix togetherdates dried figs sugarmarmalade hazelnutsegg quark and butterSprinkle the flour and

baking powder overthe dried fruit mix-ture and knead into asmooth dough2 Shape the dough intoan oblong loaf With

the edge of your handmake a groove down themiddle of at least 1 cmdeep Place the loaf onthe baking tray brushwith water and bake inthe oven for approx 40minutes Keep an eye onit so that the top doesnot brown too quickly Ifit does cover the top with

some aluminum foil3 To make the glazemelt the butter with thmarmalade in a sauce-pan and stir well Brushthe warm stollen gene

ously with the marma-lade then sprinkle with2 tablespoons sugarAllow to cool Sieve athick layer of icing sugaover top of the stollen just before serving Thstollen will stay fresh inan airtight container foup to a week

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 58: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5876

na Djurdjevic is the author behind PrstohvatSoli (A Pinch of Salt) blog and has contributedto Elle Magazine and Mezze Magazine Shelives in Belgrade Serbia

ldquoArt has always been my great love and to me cooking isone of itrsquos genres When combined with great photographyit becomes a masterpiece Writing a blog gave me an op-portunity to merge the two loves and opened a windowto a world of new flavors cultures and brought me closeto people who share the same passions My favorite holi-

day activity is baking I love everything about it making andshaping cookies the intoxicating smell that fills the houseand of course enjoying those sweet little bites

Speculaas are very special cookies Theyrsquore actually Dutchbut theyrsquore very similar to a traditional Croatian cookiecalled Paprenjaci which date back to the Renaissance peri-od The secret to these cookies is in the mix of spicesa lotof very good spices Cinnamon nutmeg ginger white pep-per and cloves Imagine early Christmas morning the smell

of hot chocolate and a few speculaas cookiesrdquo

recipe amp photography by

ANA DJURDJEVIC

prstohvat soli COM

ldquo

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 59: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 5976

ically intimately sociallyese are just some of the many waysblogging has touched my life

Speculaas makes about 36 cookies

1 frac12 cups all-purpose flour2 teaspoons cinnamonfrac12 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground gingerfrac12 teaspoon ground clovesfrac12 teaspoon baking sodafrac12 teaspoon saltfrac14 teaspoon white pepper3 4 cup butter room temperatufrac12 cup dark Muscovado sugar1 3 cup milk

1 Mix flour salt baking soda an

spices2 In a separate bowl mix butteand gradually add sugar To thebutter mixture add 13 of theflour mixture and spices and mCombine all ingredients welland add the rest of the flour anknead the dough3 Wrap dough in plastic wrapand refridgerate 2 hours orovernight4 Remove dough from the

refrigerator 45 minutes beforepreparation Preheat oven to375deg F4 Divide the dough into 2 partsusing one part ata time Rolldough to about 14rdquo thick Cutinto desired shapes and arrangeon a baking sheet with a smallspace between5 Bake 10-15 minutes until theedges are slightly browned

rdquo Speculaas

SERBIA

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 60: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6076

photos by

GERRY SPEIRS of FOODNESS GRACIOUS com

written by

HEIDI LARSEN of FOODIECRUSH com

Food blogger GERRY SPEIRS has the gift of curing a

sweet tooth and is happy to share his favorite remedies RILLIAN

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 61: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6176

BARK

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 62: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6276

aking the leap from

working man to dad-about-town wasnrsquot ahard choice for foodblogger and entre-

preneur Gerry Speirs Since leaving hisnative Scotland 13 years ago to jointhe love of his life in California Gerrynow authors the three-year-old blogFoodness Gracious and takes on the

non-traditional role of stay at homedad to his two young children

Whether creating deliciously inspiredsweet treats and savory kitchen cre-ations for the blog or for his familyGerry always makes sure therersquos plentyof inspiration in the kitchen ldquoWhen-ever I see a recipe I like I try to thinkof ways I can alter it and make it less

traditional A recipe doesnrsquot alwayshave to be a certain way just becauseitrsquos been that way for yearsrdquo

Itrsquos no surprise then that Gerry takesa new twist on a classic holiday treatby creating a handful of flavorful Barkrecipes But first letrsquos learn a little moreabout the man behind the blogYou have two young children and area true man of the 21st century tak-

ing on the role of stay-at-home-dadand homemaker of the householdWhat inspired you to make the movefrom career guy to food bloggerBeing a stay-at-home dad was actu-ally my wifersquos idea I had been workingfor Whole Foods Market for about 10years as a bakery manager and wasquite happy with it and working for

M

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 63: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6376

such a great company Maura crunched

some numbers and we decided it wouldbe more beneficial to look after thekids and not pay for daycare I originallystarted blogging with an idea of journal-ing my days with the kids nothing to dowith recipesYoursquove bucked the trend in otherways too and have made a markfor yourself in a sea of female food

bloggers Whatrsquos your secret forbreaking the moldI think I can connect with most femalebloggers out there due to my stay-at-home gig Itrsquos still quite rare for thehusband to be at home and I can talkdiapers fevers and outrageous storetantrums all day long I think that helpsme connect with the female blogging

world and they see me going throughsome of the same things they gothroughHow does being a stay at home dadaffect your role as a food bloggerPreparation is key Usually I have a win-dow of about 3-4 hours that are kid-free I have to decide what Irsquom going tomake and post the day before and havethe ingredients on hand ready to go

Once the kids come home from schoolthen all bets are off and thatrsquos okayHow would you describe your blogFoodness Gracious And where didthe name come from Foodness Gracious is not a niche blogOne day I may post a pasta recipe fol-lowed by a post about French toast Thename came from me thinking I was cool

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 64: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6476

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 65: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6576

Cand Jalentildeo

wh Anco Chi

Bk

EssoWhe

Chole Bk

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 66: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6676

coming up with a play on words like

ldquogoodness graciousrdquo but if I knew aboutSEO (search engine optimization) backthen what I know now Irsquod probably haveput more thought into another nameBut itrsquos still catchyhellipI like itDo you fancy yourself a sweet orsavory cookIrsquod say more sweet than savory just be-cause my background in kitchens and

restaurants is in the pastry corner I leftschool and spent years apprenticing as ascratch baker in a small local bakery I alsospent time under the watchful eye of oneof Scotlandrsquos top chefs William CostleyWe met at the Big Traveling Potluckin the summer of 2013 where I tastedyour decadent caramels How did youbecome such an expertBy boiling many pots of sugar andhoney late at night and then screamingat them the next day when they wereeither too soft or teeth-breaking hardAre you planning on sharing TootSweet Caramels with the worldon a grander scaleI would love to I have a website beingdesigned which will be more appealingthan my Etsy page Irsquom also in the pro-

cess of completing my vendor applica-tion for Whole Foods on a local scaleJust like blogging where everything isdone by the individual Toot Sweet isonly me and time is a huge endeavorIrsquom convinced itrsquoll do well though Thecaramels have a unique flavor due tothe honey which is sourced locally Ihave never tasted my version in any

A baker at heart Gerry hasdeveloped a sweet techniqueand created another child to

nurture Toot Sweet Caramels

Using only quality ingredients in-cluding locally sourced California

honey these creamy artisnalsmall batch caramels are the toastof the town with nary a teaspoon

of corn syrup in sight

Available in flavors like DarkChocolate Pistachio plus Rosemary

and Salted Honey these caramelswill cure every sweet tooth

Donrsquot miss Toot Sweetrsquos caramelsauce studded with chocolate todress up your favorite dessert

Available athttpwwwetsycomshop

TootSweetCaramels

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 67: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6776

other caramel and Irsquove tasted a lotYoursquove created some inspired Barkrecipes to share for the holidaysWhere did that idea come from The holidays are busy enough and Barkis easy and it holds up well in packaging

Plus therersquos practically no cooking in-volved other than melting the chocolateHow did you come up with theseflavor combinations Peppermint is a classic Espresso WhiteChocolate because I love my coffeePistachio Rosemary because itrsquos one ofmy caramel flavors and is probably thebest tasting combo around and Jalapentildeo

because Irsquom a spice freak although the can-died jalapenorsquos taste sweet and spicyIs there a secret to making barkI like to score the bottom layer of thechocolate before pouring on the toplayer Itrsquos supposed to help the two

layers stick to each otherSo where will you be eating yoursweets on Christmas day At my house I have a firm tradition ofdoing as little as possible on ChristmasDay and just enjoying resting with thefamily Wersquoll maybe go for a walk on thebeach in the afternoon but Irsquom usuallystill in my pajamas until noon

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 68: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6876

Peppermint Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

frac14 cup crushed candy cane1 teaspoon peppermint flavoring

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the peppermint flavor andstir gently Pour the chocolate into the preparedpan and shake gently to level it out Place in thefridge While the chocolate is cooling prepare thewhite chocolate in the same way3 Once the dark chocolate has cooled and be-came firm roughly score the surface with a sharpknife in a gridndashlike pattern Pour the white choco-late on top and gently tap the pan on your worksurface to level

4 Sprinkle with the crushed candy cane and letset until firm Store in the refrigerator until readyto break into pieces or keep at room temperatureand slice into squares

Espresso White Chocolate Bark

12 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

12 ounces Ghirardelli white chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fine espresso powder

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot

of simmering water Add the espresso and stirthrough the melted chocolate Pour the chocolateinto the prepared pan Place in the fridge to set3 Melt the white chocolate the same way Oncethe dark chocolate is firm score the chocolatewith a sharp knife and pour the melted whitechocolate on top tap to level it out Let set untilfirm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to breakinto pieces or keep at room temperature and sliceinto squares

P ep p r m i E spes o W h i e Ch oc l a e

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 69: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 6976

Cranberry and Pistachio Bark

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 tablepsoon fresh chopped rosemaryfrac12 cup dried cranberriesfrac14 cup chopped pistachiosSea salt

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chopped rosemary andstir to combine Pour the chocolate into the pre-pared pan and tap gently on the work surface tolevel it3 Sprinkle the cranberries over the top of themelted chocolate followed by the chopped pista-chios Finally sprinkle with some sea salt Let setuntil firm4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice into

squares

Candied Jalapeno with Ancho Chili Bar

18 ounces Ghirardelli dark chocolate meltingwafers

1 frac12 teaspoon ancho chil powder1 large jalapenofrac14 cup sugar1 tablepsoon water

1 Line an 8x8 brownie pan with parchment paperwith the edges hanging over the sides

2 Melt the dark chocolate in a bowl over a pot ofsimmering water Add the chili powder and stirwell In another pan combine the sugar and waterand bring to a boil Slice the jalapeno into rings andadd to the sugar mixture Simmer on low for abou10 minutes Pour the melted chocolate into the paand set aside3 Carefully pull the jalapeno slices from the sugarmixture and place on a plate until cool enough tohandle Randomly place pieces of the jalapeno ontop of the chocolate and let set

4 Store in the refrigerator until ready to break intopieces or keep at room temperature and slice intosquares

VISIT WWWFOODNESSGRACIOUSCOM

FOR MORE OF GERRYrsquoS INSPIRED RECIPES get

more

Cr a n b r y Pi t c i o Ja l ae ntilde o A n c o Ch i i

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 70: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7076

coveting

SAVOR THE

SEASONIN HUES OF HERBAL GREENS

From boosting brain power

to keeping everything moving

(ahem) our favorite herbsdo double duty by making

food taste amazing

and promoting better health

With the bonus of looking fabulous

on a windowndashsill wersquove got some

major herb crushinrsquo going on

SAGE TIP

Add sage

rosemaryparsley and thymeto your mashedpotatoes for asavory twist

by COURTNEY BANKHEAD

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 71: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7176

Cooks Herb Wreath$49 williams-sonomacom

La Folie Necklace$49 stelladotcom

Elton Settee$699 westelmcom

Olive LePen$2 paper-sourcecom

Woven Chain Wrap$25 fossilcom

Lover Heel$229 katespadecom

Glass Jug Table Lamp$169 westelmcom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 72: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7276

COZY UPWITH THE COLORS

OF WARMING SPICES

Combine cinnamon

cloves allspice and nutmeg

Add cider cover and let simmerCan you smell it yet

Oh those fragrant

mulling spices make us dream

of a snowstorm wonderland

so we can call in sick build a fre

and look good reading

Jane Austen all day

with mug in hand

coveting

SHOW STOPPER

Star anise goeswell with chicken

seafood pork rootvegetables tropicalfruit and pumpkin

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 73: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7376

Saloon Folded Booties$198 anthropologiecom

Pegasus Necklace$198 stelladotcom

Formula X Nail Polish$11 sephoracom

Tory Burch Double WrapLogo Bracelet

$95 nordstromcom

Threshold Acacia Bowl$30 targetcom

Stockholm Chair$139 ikeacom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 74: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7476

HOT TOPICRED HOT SPICES TURN UP THE HEAT

coveting

Itrsquos true that some people

like it hot Turns out those

same people like an

occational addrenaline

rush as well Studies have

shown that hot chilieaters are more likely to be

thrill seekers too For us

nothing is quite as thrilling

as scoring a hot deal from

a favorite store

FROM THEGOOD DOCTOR

Dr Oz promotessaffron extract asa natural appetite

supressant

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 75: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7576

Marquis FauxStone Necklance$7 forever21com

Dakota Pendant$432 westelmcom

Splat Chair$200 westelmcom

Bakers Twine$10 crateandbarrelcom

Threshold Apple Peeler$10 targetcom

Sleeveless Tube Dresswith Ruffles$60 zaracom

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s

Page 76: FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

8132019 FoodieCrush Holiday 2013

httpslidepdfcomreaderfullfoodiecrush-holiday-2013 7676

H E E N

C l i n k

C l i n k

c h e e r s