December 30th, 2014
St. Germain Champagne cocktail
Have you tried St. Germain? The elderflower liquer has become a favorite of mine and, though too much can be cloying, used sparingly, St. Germain adds a delicate, floral sweetness that’s perfect for the holidays. Who am I kidding: it’s perfect for any day, but given that it pairs especially well with champagne and dry white wine, it’s a great choice for New Year’s Eve.
I’ve added St. Germain to everything from margaritas to scotch. Because of it’s sweet flavor, it easily swaps into a huge variety of drinks for sugar or honey. But my favorite way to enjoy St. Germain is the simplest: added to champagne. The basic recipe is easy—1 1/2 parts St. Germain topped with our favorite champagne (or prosecco)—but you should really go by taste. Then garnish with whatever you have around: I like using pomegranate seeds or a pretty lemon peel twist.
posted in:
drinksDecember 29th, 2014
Best cookbooks for families 2014
If you’re a cookbook junkie like me, you probably grew your collection in a big way this year. With so many great new reads, from Prune to A Boat, a Whale & a Walrus, it’s hard to choose a favorite. That said, I can tell you which new releases you should have. Yes, you, family cook. These are my picks for the best cookbooks for families 2104.
If you’re wondering what I mean when I say best cookbooks for families, let me break it down:
posted in:
kitchen aidsDecember 23rd, 2014
Easy DIY Vanilla Extract, aka last-minute holiday gift gold
You know the date? I don’t mean to stress you out. Of course you know the date—it was a stupid question. Christmas is in just days and it’s okay that you haven’t finished your holiday shopping. You’re not a bad person, you’re just a busy person. And maybe a little disorganized. Hey, none of us can do everything.
Said me to myself.
If you’re in the same boat, I have a lovely, easy gift idea that totally works at the last minute: DIY Vanilla Extract. It comes together in 5 and all you have to do is hit the store for cheap vodka, vanilla beans, and a pretty bottle (Target, Walmart, your local craft store, or even a hardware store where you can get mason jars will do). Nice ribbon and tags will go a long way, too.
December 22nd, 2014
Eggnog Iced Coffee with Bourbon
Move over gingerbread latte, there’s a new killer holiday coffee drink in town. And it has bourbon. (Take that!)
This coffee drink is holiday brunch perfection. It’s also what you need to sip on Christmas morning. That afternoon, too, when you need a pick me up. You don’t have to spike it every time—just great eggnog with great coffee will do you right. Or you can spike it every time.
December 17th, 2014
White Chocolate-Butterscotch Cookies
It’s hard to wrap up cookie month. Apparently, once you start eating cookies, it’s hard to stop. (Or is it just me?) Christmas is next week, though, and I’m wrapping up the holiday baking this weekend. I’ll be prepping and freezing cookie and pie dough (here’s my my tutorial for make-ahead pie dough) so that next week is all about simple prep leading up to Christmas dinner.
It’s a genius plan (if I say so myself), except that we’re having a hard time deciding which cookies we should make for Santa. I know for sure that he wants these Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies because HE TOLD ME. I personally believe that he’s also craving these Chewy Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Glaze. The kids, on the other hand, believe that Santa would greatly appreciate a batch of these Cornflake Chocolate Chip Candy Cane Cookies. I mean, who wouldn’t love those, but I think that maybe they are a bit much. After all, the guy will be eating a ton of cookies. Maybe he wants something a little lighter like these Nutmeg Butterscotch Cookies? Or a new twist on a classic these Crispy-Chewy Sugar Cookies?
And now there are these White Chocolate Butterscotch Cookies in the mix.
Decisions, decisions.
December 15th, 2014
Quick Chia Seed Strawberry Jam from The Grain-Free Family Table cookbook
I’m obsessed with this recipe. Strawberry Jam. No cooking. No major wait time. No gelatin. Just berries, honey, lemon juice, and chia seeds. This is the kind of genius that The Grain-Free Family Table cookbook by Carrie Vitt offers readers.
I’ve been following Carrie and her blog Deliciously Organic for a while now. Her tasty cooking and commitment to unprocessed eating captured me from the first moment that I found Deliciously Organic. Pure eating isn’t just a lifestyle choice for Carrie, it’s truly a healthy choice. Her story is a powerful example of the healing power of food and her recipes will help you eat healthily and happily—and, of course, deliciously—no matter what your diet.
posted in:
12+ mos | 24+ mos | breakfast & brunch | fast & easy | fruit | gluten free | sauce | snacks | vegetarianDecember 12th, 2014
The big list of delicious holiday food gifts and fun kitchen gadgets
I’ve been hard at work at Cool Mom Picks rounding up food and kitchen gifts for everyone and every holiday. From edible Hanukkah gifts, to indispensable kitchen gadgets, to food gifts that will make any child swoon (hello, personal ice cream maker), I’ve got what your foodies, picky eaters, and family cooks want this holiday season. And maybe something for you, too.
posted in:
gift guideDecember 11th, 2014
Shaved Vegetable Salad with Quick Tea-Pickled Radishes
I recently had the pleasure of meeting Gail Simmons, my favorite foodie mama (who’s a Brooklynite, too, now, thank you very much). If you don’t know, Gail is a culinary expert and judge on BRAVO’s Emmy-wining series Top Chef, as well as the head critic on Top Chef Masters. As if that wasn’t enough, she is also a special projects director at Food & Wine, and the author of Talking With My Mouth Full: My Life as a Professional Eater. She’s a mom, wicked smart, and a killer cook, which, all together, makes her a hero. If you don’t believe me, try her recipe for this gorgeous Shaved Vegetable Salad with Quick-Pickled Radishes.
December 8th, 2014
Apple Pie Smoothie recipe and an app I can’t live without
It may seem crazy to talk about smoothies given all of the cocktails and appetizers, pies and cookie dough flying around this time of year but, you know, I’m a little crazy. And—to be frank—I’m hoping not to gain 1,000 pounds this holiday season. (It can happen.) With so much decadent intake this month, I’m trying to keep it light and healthy at home whenever possible, and this Apple Pie Smoothie is my new jam. It’s super healthy, filling, and has all the great taste of the season. It’s the next best thing to pie. Well, it hits the spot big time—close enough.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | breakfast & brunch | dairy free | drinks | fast & easy | fruit | snacks | vegetables | vegetarianDecember 6th, 2014
Chewy Gingerbread Cookies with Lemon Glaze
Last week I pronounced December cookie month, served up these ridiculously addictive Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Thumbprint Cookies, and promised a new cookie every week until Christmas. Well, guess what? I couldn’t wait until next week was officially underway before sharing these Lemon Glazed Gingerbread Cookies. I figured that you might be baking this weekend and you’ll definitely want to give this recipe a go. (Bake a few to taste, then freeze the dough to have them on hand again closer to Christmas.)
If you’ve been visiting for a while, you’ve probably caught on that I’m a sucker for thin cookies that are crispy around the edges and chewy, ooey, gooey in the middle. That’s not usually the way gingerbread cookie recipes are developed, so I came up with my own.
December 2nd, 2014
Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Thumbprint Cookie recipe
I hereby declare December cookie month. If the winter holidays aren’t excuse enough to bake cookies like a crazy person, then I don’t know what is. Every week this month I’ll be sharing a new cookie recipe. Each one will suit the holidays, but also be the kind of cookie that you can enjoy any time of year. These Coconut, Almond & Raspberry Almond cookies especially. Just beware: these vegan cookies are INSANE.
I first tried these cookies while visiting my friends at Earthbound Farm Organic. The recipe is from Straight from the Earth: Irresistible Vegan Recipes for Everyone, one of the many amazing cookbooks by Earthbound founder Myra Goodman (this one is co-written by Myra’s daughter, Marea). These cookies were part of a delicious, abundant spread of sweets and—I am not kidding—people could not tear themselves away from these cookies. Non-vegans like me, included.
I recently made these as part of snack week duty for my son’s 3rd grade class and everyone was freaking out for them. I shared the recipe with several folks and several of the kids have requested that I also pass it on to their parents.
Myra says that these cookies will make you believe in magic because they’ll disappear right before your eyes. She’s not joking.
posted in:
12+ mos | 24+ mos | dairy free | dessert | entertaining | holiday cooking | snacks | sweet baked stuff | vegetarianNovember 25th, 2014
Cumin Lime Roasted Carrot Salad: A perfect healthy holiday recipe.
This bold holiday salad recipe is brought to you with the support of my video sponsor, Earthbound Farm Organic whose greens earn salad a real-deal spot at your holiday table.
When I first began creating a holiday recipe for Earthbound Farm Organic, I started playing with their fresh and frozen fruits. Pie, dessert, sauce, cocktails: they seemed the obvious direction—until it dawned on me that salads are sadly overlooked at the holiday table.
With so many rich Thanksgiving foods, salad can be a welcome respite. At the same time, it can’t be a lame obligatory bowl of greens. Only something fresh, bold, hearty and healthful fits the bill, which is why this Cumin Lime Roasted Carrot Salad is my all time favorite holiday salad.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | entertaining | holiday cooking | salads | vegetables | vegetarianNovember 24th, 2014
Pumpkin Yogurt Parfait: An easy, healthy breakfast recipe
You know what my problem is? I want every meal during the entire holiday weekend to be delicious. All of the food doesn’t have to be complicated or take tons of time, but I feel like every meal should feel like a treat. It’s a little overkill, I know, but that’s why I’m so into holiday breakfast recipes. Proof:
Orange Cranberry Spice Pancakes
Blueberry Almond Morning Polenta
And there’s more, like a make-ahead Spinach and Cheese Strata and Cranberry White Chocolate Chip Scones.
This year I took a page from Martha Stewart where I got the idea for this Pumpkin Yogurt Breakfast Parfait. It’s even easier than all of the recipes above, including the make ahead recipes since it preps in 5 minutes flat. It’s also a totally delicious way to get in the turkey day mood. If you like this breakfast parfait as much as we do, I bet it will become a go-to quick school day breakfast. It’s honestly as easy as pouring a bowl of cereal and so much better for you. It makes a killer snack, as well.
posted in:
10+ mos | 12+ mos | 24+ mos | 6+ mos | 8+ mos | breakfast & brunch | dairy free | fast & easy | gluten free | holiday cooking | snacks | vegetarianNovember 20th, 2014
A quick-look guide to Thanksgiving pies & holiday baking
Salted Caramel Apple Pie
Cranberry Pear Upside Down Cake
Turkey day is next week and that means… cakes and pie!
That’s right, I’m not ready to talk turkey. I’d much rather help make sure that your pies and baked goods are in order. Because if your Thanksgiving meal ends happy, it will be remembered as a happy meal.
I’m dropping gems here, people.
November 18th, 2014
Family food find: Red Pepper Roasted Chicken
As the cold sets in—and, oh, how it has set in here in Brooklyn—I start cranking the oven and experimenting with recipes for roasts like my Apple Butter-Balsamic Glazed Pork Loin and this Red Pepper Roasted Chicken. There’s really nothing better or easier than throwing a handful of ingredients and good cut of meat in the oven and taking out a delicious, hearty dinner.
Recipe Box
