Nibbling Around The Christmas Tree

 One for the most fun parties of the season is the tree trimming one. friends and family come over for good food and good stories. Unlike other holiday get togethers this is an informal one. dress can be pajama pants or a goofy tee shirt. The food should be as casual too.

You can never go wrong with a charcuterie board. Try a Christmas one in the shape of a tree or wreath. They both have the same ingredients as a regular charcuterie board  - well except there may be more red and green. Serve cold cuts that are perfect with French or Italian bread rounds along with crackers. Salami is perfect here along with pepperoni and folded over mortadella and prosciutto. Cheese is important too. Try a mix of hard and soft ones. Brie is excellent here  but you can also have Camenbert too. As for the had cheeses Swiss and Gruyere are great options and perfect just on their own. You could create a flavored cream cheese, perfect with crackers or pita chips. Make a chive and onion one or Boursin style with garlic and herbs. For zing add jalapeno along with cheese for a take on those fun jalapeno poppers.A tablespoon or two of presto stirred in creates a Northern Italian flavor, perfect on plain focaccia. What about adding red and green? Cherry and grape tomatoes are festive along with being refreshing. Add some broccoli , another fresh flavor for tree or wreath greenery.

A tree trimming party can also have hot food too. Keep it fun with a choice of chilis. You could serve the traditional red , made with beans and chopped beef. or white , usually made chicken and green chilis. Serve both with fresh made or bought (try Acme's) cornbread or even rice. Another hot dish that's both filling and fun is the classic bricklayer nachos. These are layers of tortilla chips filled with beef, bacon and chorizo along with queso, creamy avocado and crunchy scallions  , add fire roasted tomatoes (try Lidl) for this , giving the nacho a sweet , earthy flavor.Hot nibbles are a must too. Think pigs in blankets and a variety of dipping sauces  like barbecue and hot mustard, to add to them. Chicken wings, both hot and mild are fun. Although with these have plenty of wet napes around so that ornaments aren't ruined by grease marks. What about drinks? Egg nogs and hot toddies work afterwards as a kind of dessert. Cranberry cocktails and mock tails are perfect for these. A fun cranberry punch has the juice or a cranberry-fruit mix, flavored seltzer and chunks of orange and lemon. Add plenty of ice for a cooling sip.

A tree trimming party is a fun one. Have  fun foods and a tasty punch t make guest feel festive. They'll have a great time , creating more holiday memories.

The Most Perfect Pop

What's movie night without popcorn, especially popcorn that's been made on a stove top?There's nothing like it, with the fluffy kernels buttered and salted to perfection.Now it can be made even better - if that's at all possible.

Melissa Clark tackled this in her A Good Appetite column in yesterday's New York Times Wednesday Food section, She had been making stove top corn the way everyone has for decades, cook them in oil and then coat them in melted butter and salt. That changed when she had Jessica Koslow's recipe.Ms. Koslow is the owner and chef of the trendy Los Angeles eatery, Sqirl, She has a knack for taking the familiar and turning it into the extraordinary. Her toast is what put her on the map. Slices of brioche are toasted until burnt then  slathered with creamy ricotta and served in a puddle of homemade jam. Her tweaks are not for the faint of heart home chef - or family popcorn popper .She uses two to three times the amount of oil for cooking the kernels. Think half a cup of oil for one third of a cup of popcorn kernels.That much oil gives the corn a richness and the fluffy whites a sturdy extra crunchiness, what Chef Koslow calls "potato chip sturdiness"/Her way of seasoning is also different. Toss the kernels in dry ones before cooking. That way the fluffy whites aren't sogged down by the  seasonings .

What kind of popcorn and what kind of oil should be used? Ms. Clark doesn't give suggestions on the first. Some food blogs recommend Amish Country which you can buy on Amazon. An easier buy is Orville Redenbacher .from your local grocery store. As for the oil, Chef Koslow recommends grapeseed for its' high smoke point and clean flavor, but you can use another other oil such as sunflower, safflower, canola and corn. Ghee can also be used.Ms. Clark pops hers in a mixture of oil and butter for a buttery taste without the sogginess. She has also combined oils with low smoke point fats such as duck(!) and bacon (!).If you want flavored corn, then stick with dried seasonings such as ground spices, seeds, chiles, nutritional yeast,seasoned salts and dehydrated herbs. Stay away from anything with a high moisture content such as Parmesan cheese lemon zest and fresh herbs.They'll turn the popped kernels into mush. The recipes included are a spicy Pimenton or smoked paprika, a vegan cheesy one that has nutritional yeast filling in for the real thing, and one that's combines cane sugar with turmeric for a unique take on kettle corn. Any of the three is the perfect snack for movie night or or even as an appetizer at a barbecue.


A good movie deserves good popcorn. Pop them this new way with more oil for the ultimate snack experience. Just remember to make a lot. This flavorful new corn will be more of a hit than the movie.

Dad's Day Homemade Treats

It's usuall mom who gets the home cooked and baked meals and treats for Mother's Day . Dad usually gets the burger or the dog from off the grill.However he probably  yearns for a something fresh from the oven or something more substantial  than just a barbecue quick cook. Give him something fun and different - gifts that are both thoughtful and tasty.

Father's Day is all about the barbecue. Surprise Dad with fun kabobs such as spiced lamb ,interspersed with cherry  tomatoes and onions or a shrimp combined with red and green peppers.Instead of chopped meat , splurge and get him filet mignon .It is amazing on the grill just lightly seasoned. and served with a simple salad. If the sire still wants dogs then think the tastier bratwurst .It's flavor is perfection when  it's grilled  and it can be served plain or with cheese. Another great homemade gift is chili. This can be made either very mild or very hot , with beef for the real deal or turkey for a healthier , lower calorie treat. Soy crumbles can be subbed in for an even more healthier spin along with more beans and tomatoes. A real Father's Day treat is lobster and nothing beats a steamed one complete with butter and lemon.A fun idea is getting fresh lobster and steaming it , whether on the stove or on the grill . Make sure that there is plenty of butter and Wet Wipes for dad too. He may also want comfort food too. Think about an old fashioned Sunday dinner complete with meat loaf, gravy and mashed potatoes or spaghetti and garlic bread.

These meals have to have a sweet ending. Nothing beats a  homemade chocolate cake. Make it more interesting by adding stout which pairs well with the flavor. Guinness works the best for this because of its' richness and complexity. Frost with a buttery rich homemade chocolate fudge for added decadence. This recipe can be made for cupcakes too.Another dessert sure to win over his sweet tooth is bourbon  pecan pie. This is the classic Southern recipe with the  addition of bourbon. Only a splash of it is used to cut the pies' uber sweet taste. Another boozy baking idea are beer cookies.Use a wiessbeer or light colored one to make a variation on English shortbread.The best gift is chocolate or maple dipped bacon.It's a fun combination of super salty married with super sweet along with the flavor of pork. It's easy to do, especially when you use the microwave for both the meat and dip. For the maple bacon, liberally brush maple syrup on both sides of the individual slices  and then cook up. If the day is nothing but outdoor eating then finish it with s'mores or better yet bacon s'mores.Add a small square of it on top of the toasted marshmallow for a salty, squishy fun time.

Treat the dad in your life to something homemade and tasty. He'll appreciate the work and the effort along with the love that goes into it. It'll be a memorable Father's Day, for both him and his appetite.

The Fake Stuff Is Actually The Good Stuff

One of the biggest complaint of any carnivore going vegan is "That fake soy meat tastes awful!" followed by "Yechh!".That may have been the case twenty five or thirty years ago.Not anymore.The fake stuff is really tasty and at times better than the real thing.Truly. One of the easiest paths into veganism is the veggie burger.It's becoming standard with even Burger King and Jake's Wayback Burgers selling them.They can be home made or store bought.Homemade ones may be tricky to create ,especially for the novice home chef.Most home made ones are usually made with black beans along with variety of spices like cumin and chile.Guy Fieri, the loud but skilled Food Channel Star, adds chick peas and rolled oAts to his.If this is too labor intensive then head to your local grocery store.Morningstar Farms has the best.Their varieties range from Asian veggie style which has water chestnuts and onions along with their take on a no meat turkey avocado burger.Morningstar Farm probably has the most extensive range of not just burgers but chicken patties and nuggets.All taste like the real deal.In fact if you present the nuggets with different sauces,from barbecue to homey mustard, no one, especially the kids would know the difference.Another tasty stand in are the chicken strips ,again, from Morning Star Farms.These are greate just sautéed in oil and margarine and flavored with garlic or lemon.You can also make a great curried chicken with them,and their flavor adds to the dish. One of my "fake" favorites is bacon.the ersatz stuff definitely tastes better than the real bacon plus it has a nicer crunch.I like the easiness of the Morningstar Brand kind. It just needs toe microwaved for two or three minutes on a paper towel.It's crispy and excellent with scrambled eggs.However for a real salty and almost identical taste, then try The Lightlife Smart Bacon.This calls for old fashioned frying in a hot pan.The strips require oil and are cooked in a big lump until cooking separates them into crispy, curly slices.It, too, has a nice crunch and is more reminiscent of Taylor ham.Vegan sausages can also pass for their meat filled cousins.Again SmartSausage is a favorite of mine.I love their Italian style with it's impact of added tomatoes and peppers?Cut the links into bite sized pieces ,add to any tomato sauce and you have a flavorful and healthy pasta sauce.Faux beef crumbles are another of my favorites.They are truly versatile and I've used them in everything from chile and tacos to sauces.They taste just like real chopped beef but without all the danger and fat. The fake stuff is actually the good stuff .Soy and bean meat substitutes are not only good for you but also tasty.The days of them being cringe worthy and yucky tasting are gone.Enjoy the ersatz stuff.It's just as flavorful and versatile as those real deals.

Super Healthy Snacks For The Suoer Bowl

The Super Bowl is always a day geared towards snacking .There are platters of buffalo wings, endless pizzas and plates of sliders or pulled pork.These may be tasty but they,re a fumble diet wise.You can still score, but with healthier sandwiches and treats.They're the touchdowns of the day! One of the healthiest game day treats is a sub sandwich.You can start with a base of whole-wheat bread and then add on healthy lean meats like chicken or turkey.For even more of a bonus, think soy cold cuts.These come in a variety of flavors,from pepperoni to baloney and taste pretty much like the real deal.Make a simple dressing of just oil and red wine vinegar as you also layer on shredded lettuce, onion slices and low fat Provolone and American cheese.A warmer dish is vegan chili.This can be made solely with a variety of beans or again with a soy version of beef.You can make it as hot or mild as you want.Serve with polenta, brown rice or whole-wheat tortilla chips. Pizza is another Super Bowl fave.You can make your own with pita bread and fresh tomato quarters along with a minimum of mozzarella cheese. Add some heart healthy toppings such as mushrooms, scallion, artichoke hearts and olives. bruschetta, usually reserved for more formal affairs is another great nibble.Again go for whole wheat Italian bread and mix tomatoes capers and bell peppers to create a topping.You can serve them hot with a light sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.Prefer more South of the border?Then think chicken or tilapia tacos with guacamole and minced fresh veggies to put on top.Hold the sour cream and pour on the home made salsa . finish with fresh fruit kabobs, made from apples, oranges and grapes.Serve these with a honey sweetened Greek yogurt. Make your game day a winner with healthy nibbles and bites.Serve dishes that are bursting with vitamins and minerals.You're sure to touch down with high points for staying away from all that grease ,salt and fat!

Holiday Tamales

Christmas foods are always traditional no matter where you are in the world. It certainly is true in the Latin America  where centuries old dishes are brought out to every one's delight. In this case it's the tamale,  standard fare in any Western meal .It's made special with different ingredients and a lot of love.

It was the topic of an article in yesterday's New York Times Dining section. The piece , written by newcomer, Fernanda Santos, explores this Latin.Tamales are a big part of Latinos holiday fare and also everyday fare.They truly are an American food, their origins dating well before Columbus where for centuries; before him various tribes were making different types of corn rolled baked in clay pots. The premise is easy .Tamales are a stuffed corn based roll, wrapped in parchment or corn husks and steamed. With practice anyone can make them.

Tamales vary fron country to country, Mexicans like theirs stuffed with pork or beef although chicken is also preferred too.Along the Mexican Gulf Coast, in Tabasco, the husks are filled with garfish. In Oaxaca ,it;s chicken with a spicy chocolate based mole sauce, Venezuela also has this tradition however they sweeten their fillings with raisins along with olives. The meat of choice there is pork. The Brazilians have something similar too filled with cheese and meat.Most beginners usually stick with a simple beef tamale and a tomato sauce made with cumin and chiles.

Tamales are a part of the Christmas feasting tables as any roast or ham, They can  be made in the traditional style or according to the region. They're a different and tasty way of celebrating a holiday.