For the holidays, old favorites are entitled to special love. Case in point, apple pie. Nothing is more American and no dessert is more satisfying than apple pie, hot from the oven, topped with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream. Delicious as it is, special occasions call for special ingredients.
Whisky's smoky sweetness seems like a perfect companion for apple pie's richly comforting wholesomeness.
My mother made apple pie for Thanksgiving and Chanukah. Her recipe was the essence of simplicity. One of those dishes that intuitively adheres to the principle of "let the ingredients speak for themselves."
At a time when farmers markets didn't exist in cities, my mom would pack my sister and myself into her Dodge and we'd head out to the farms in the areas surrounding Banning, California, the small town on the way to Palm Springs where we lived during my high school years.
Holiday Goodies
Holiday Goodies
My Parisian Christmas: Part Two
Before moving to Paris, we sold our house in New Jersey, and I gave away most of my kitchenwares. No more unnecessary objects, I told myself, putting cookbooks detailing how to make rice in fifty-five ways in a box for Good Will. Wedding presents that never made it to the table – the egg steamer, the fish plate, an orange sugar bowl – went into the box as well. I pictured my post-Paris kitchen as holding nothing but my old, beloved Le Cruesets: friendly, large and utilitarian.
Then last week I succumbed to a wild desire for Staub Mini Round Cocotte in a shiny burnt-crimson color. There’s no end to the gorgeous food that can be made in my cocottes. For a dinner party on Friday I used the very best chocolate – after much investigation, my current favorite is Michel Cluizel’s – with generous splashes of Grand Marnier and a box of eggs, to make fierce little chocolate cakes. Under the giddy influence of a Parisian December, I gave each cake a generous dab of crème fraiche thinned with Grand Marnier and topped with a translucent star made from pure spun sugar.
Kbell's Perfect Brisket
My friend KBell makes socks for a living. But it’s what comes out of her kitchen that’ll really knock your socks off – the world’s most perfect brisket.
That’s a boast, I know, that is bound to generate some heat. But what you have to know about Kbell’s brisket is two things: She’s ridiculously generous about sharing her recipe, which actually hails from her mother Selma Bell of Gloucester, Mass. And, for all I know, from Selma Bell’s mother, too. The Bells from Gloucester are like that, a tight-knit (so to speak) family. But the second and probably more important aspect of KBell’s brisket is that it’s pretty much fool-proof.
Rugelach
My husband has been begging me to make rugelach for years now. They are the favorite cookie of his youth and he has always raved about his mother's rendition of them. I've just never gotten around to making rugelach happen.
About five years ago, my husband attempted to make his own batch of rugelach. Oh my goodness, they were these horrible little petrified pieces of doodoo. They were so hard and burnt they exploded when you took a bite. Of course I laughed and didn't think about making them for a long time.
About a year ago, this recipe was published in my local paper and I held on to it until now. It belongs to Margaret Hasson from Portland, Oregon whose rugelach is sought out by friends whenever she is baking. I truly believe it, because these little bites are pretty much heaven on a plate.
Pumpkin Pie Martini's
I always think it's fun to offer your guests a couple of beverage choices. Champagne is always a good celebratory drink and wine and beer are no-brainers.
But come on, don't you want to do something different? Something to make your gathering more memorable? I know you do.
All you have to do is offer up these Pumpkin Pie Martini's and your party will be a hit. No one will forget these very special cocktails or maybe they will forget everything...depending on how many they have.
I really can't decide if these drinks should be served during happy hour or with dessert. They just need to make an appearance at some point.
If it's cold out, these will be the perfect offering to warm everyone up.
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