I spent Christmas Eve building a gingerbread house with my oldest daughter and it was an absolute joy. I made this gingerbread recipe, drew up my own plans, and went for it. Then, with the help of two containers of very cheap grocery store frosting and lots of candy, we constructed a pretty charming little cabin. I liked making this one with minimal planning, but already I can envision a future in competitive gingerbread house building. It fulfills my 9 year-old self’s dream of being an architect, except with frosting. So very much frosting. Then, I made a cheesecake for Christmas dinner. [Read more…]
Archives for 2012
a merry little christmas
I set out this morning to share a recipe my good friend Lily and her mom Judy created for lovely homemade cookie ornaments but I ended up passing a rainy day fruitlessly rifling through boxes, drawers, and stacks of paper. Lily was nice enough to share her family recipe and teach our oldest daughter and me how to make them last year, and although I have a distinct memory of placing it somewhere special so I wouldn’t forget it, I can’t remember where I put the card with the recipe. [Read more…]
roasted squash lasagna with fried sage & shallots
I don’t know what to say here. It’s been five days of heartbreak and utter sadness. While I usually find solace in the kitchen during times of trouble, this week I’ve cried over dishes and cookies, breakfast and dinner. I can’t cook these woes away, but at least the act brings a bit of comfort. [Read more…]
roasted parsnip soup with bacon and shallots
I’ve got a slew of complicated recipes ready to share, but this week they just felt like too much. It’s been another crazy week around here, and right now I think a simple soup is in order. With rain in the forecast pretty much every day next week, we’re all going to need a little warmth. The recipe combines sweet roasted parsnips with lots of shallots and a bit of bacon for smoky flavor; there are undertones of bay, black pepper, and white wine. Simply put, this roasted parsnip soup is velvety, comforting, and warm. [Read more…]
chocolate stout cake
People, it’s time. The season of decadent foodstuffs has begun. Even though in the past few weeks I’ve tested new dessert recipes, whipped up a Thanksgiving pie, and attended a cookie party, I decided that a recent weeknight birthday celebration for five called for a three-layer chocolate stout cake. I know what you’re thinking, but don’t worry, because I lightened things up with a whipped cream frosting. Instead of ganache. It’s called restraint. [Read more…]