Lidl For The Holidays

 If you're looking to save this holiday season, then look no further than Lidl. This store is a godsend when to comes to holiday foods and goodies. 

Lidl has definitely become my new favorite.It has a wide array of foods from all over the globe. I know for sure I will buy their chocolate crema panettone and Pandoro. These are two classics of the Itatalina Christmas season. Another must buy are their meringue wreaths. These even are sprinkled with red and green sugar for the holidays. They also have a wide variety of baking goods at very good prices. Bakers should take advantage of their big flour sale. You can buy ten thirty-two ounce bags of flour for ten dollars!!!!! This is a true steal. They also have other ingredients like baking cocoa, sugar and confectioner's sugar at low prices. It's also true for their milk, eggs and butter, also vital for baking. If you don't want to bake , then go for their box of German assorted cookies for only $5.96 (this is the route that I'm taking. One the cookies are delicious and varied in style and flavor and two I just don't  have the time to bake this wide a variety of sweets).Keep in mind Lidl also has a good selection of toys, fun clothes and interesting gifts along with wrapping papper and gift cards.

Another must are their hams. They look absolutely delicious, in fact much better than what other grocery stores arte offering right now. LIDL is even selling veal cutlets for as low as $14.99 a package (around two dollars cheaper than other grocery stores right now.)Also if you spend $500 or more between now and CHristmas you're entitled to either a free spiral cut ham ro turkey. Looking for appetizers and hors d'ouvres for you holiday or New Year's Eve party? Lidl has frozen escargot (snail ) cups imported from France  along with French imported quiches. There are also a wide array of chicken wings, samosas and pigs in blankets for a hot appetizer platter. Keep in mind the store also has very good cold cuts and imported cheese along with always freshly baked French and Italian breads for a special charcuterie. Add some of their Greek imported olives as well as their Italian artichoke hearts. As far as something to drink, Lidl has an excellent selection there. A bottle of their Asti Spumante is only eight dollars and they also have port and Cabernet Sauvignon. for around the same price too. I love their diet cola which is more flavorful than the national brands.

Make Lidl your go to holiday store this Christmas and New Year's. It has good food at good bargains. That's a gift in itself.

Planning The Perfect Spring Brunch

Spring is the perfect time for an airy brunch, full of good food and good friends and family. It's also a great time to appreciate the abundance of  Spring harvest, full of freshness and flavor. Create a Saturday or Sunday one that reflects the season.

One of the first things to do is decide whether it's going to be an indoor or outdoor one. The temps are rising. It would be a shame to stay indoors when there are balmy breezes outside.  However keep in mind that the weather is iffy. There could be rain - or even an April snow shower - or the  opposite. -  a hot, sweaty day, Be ready for these last minute jabs  from Mother Nature. The next is the guest list. Do you want an intimate grouping of just four or a much larger one of fifteen or twenty. A smaller brunch doesn't require  the variety a larger gathering would. Larger brunches will require more structure. There may be a savory first course and salad followed by a light dessert. Also  a more intimate gathering can be held in the dining room or the patio. A bigger one, like a baby or bridal shower brunch needs seating plans. Can it be held in the garage if it's too hot a day or the yard? Do you borrow tables or rent them?  Another question is can you handle it yourself, or will you require the spouse and kids to help out? Or enlist a few friends to help with the cooking, serving and cleaning up. Then there's the plates and utensils. Hosts can get away with using their  regular luncheon plates and knives and forks. Paper plates and plastic utensils is a must for groups of five or more.

Since brunch is a combo of breakfast and lunch, think eggs as the star of the meal. A Spring frittata is the perfect main course for entertaining your cadre of friends. Make it rich with asparagus , tomatoes and onions. Serve it sliced with toasted and oiled or buttered Italian bread Set out a  sparkling wine or better yet, champagne. Of course Bloody Mary's and  mimosa's are always welcome. After all, it's a relaxing get together. You could even serve a tomato and mozzarella salad on the side.For a different kind of dessert think the Italian fried pastry twists - crostoli. - a staple at many Italian bakeries.These are light and airy , made from fried pie dough and dusted with confectioner's sugar. . The meal can also end with bougies, a Piedmontese pastry stick,  a denser version of the crostoli, but still just as delicate. For a bigger gathering quiches, especially the mini variety a,re always welcome. You can have the classic Quiche Lorraine but also think of a  shrimp or crab one, Vegetarian friends can enjoy   spinach or again the veggie of the season, asparagus ones.Serve with  nice, crisp Spring greens salad and crusty French rolls. As for dessert, think, small, The British fairy cakes are perfect for an outdoor gathering. They're smaller than cupcakes and just have a drizzle of glaze on the top. Bakery made petit fours are another nice ending, also with candied almonds in pretty pastel colors.

Spring is brunch season. Start planning your perfect one. It could be big or small.It's the perfect way to celebrate warmer weather and balmy - hopefully - seasons.

The Best Christmas Gifts

What does a foodie and home chef  want  for Christmas? Anything that deals with food and the kitchen. Well, I don't know about any of you out there but I got my wish in the form of a madeleine pan and n eight piece glass baking set. It has definitely set the juices flowing again.

As you can see I received the much-coveted madeleine pan. I love madeleines and have been dying to bake them for a long time. Now with a tin and working oven I am definitely going to try my hand at this. These cake-like cookies are a bit labor intensive. but worth it the work, The recipe requires melted butter to be gently folded in along with freshly grated lemon zest. Baked madeleines are then dusted with granulated sugar while still warm. There are recipes for lavender infused ones and chocolate. The first is made with lavender infused honey while the chocolate ones are more like miniature baked cakes.Once I master the original recipe I'd like to move on to the espresso ones with espresso  icing. There is even a  savory madeleine recipe that involves  Parmesan cheese and rosemary or chives. These would be perfect for a brunch or an afternoon snack, along with being a bread for salad Nicoise.

My second gift is an eight piece bake set from Anchor-Hocking. This is exciting too because there's a wide range of dishes and treats I can bake. The larger casserole dish has got me thinking and researching chili bakes, those yummy yummy combos of chili and cornbread. They're kind of like a Southwestern shepherd's pie.but with the extra zing of chili powder. There is a covered  smaller sized dish for smaller bakes , such as bread puddings or strata,I am looking forward to making pies and quiches with homemade crusts too,.I've just found an easy quiche crust recipe that calls for olive oil, flour and cold water. Another recipe I 'd love to tackle is deep dish pizza, layered with mozzarella and veggies.I could also make a childhood favorite, Crazy Crust Pizza using Bisquick. The set also comes with two ramekins for custard or possibly for melting butter or margarine in the microwave. There are all sorts of possibilities with this amazing set and I;'m looking forward to trying out  scores of great recipes.

I've got my Christmas dishes and am chomping at the bit to try them out. I can't wait to tackle the complicated but oh so delcious madeleine recipes and the other baking recipes with my new Anchor Hocking set. It's going to be a fun winter ahead, as I try all sorts of new dishes in my cozy kitchen.