Saint Nicholas Day Treats

Today is Saint Nicholas Day or Little Christmas. it;s was the original Christmas before martin Luther declared that December 25th should be the day commemorating the Christ Child's birth. However it is still a time of treats from savory to sweet. Children all over the world are given food gifts, in anticipation for the big day late on this month.



St Nicholas Day traditionally has candies and cakes however there are some savory treats associated with this day The Bulgarian make a carp dish called ribnik, and it's the fish baked en croute in a type of pastry dough. Why? The kindly saint is thought to be the protector of sailors and fishermen. Ribnik is usually eaten with cabbage and grape leaves or peppers,beans and more bread.. The Dutch also hugely celebrate this day and serve boiled chestnuts with butter and salt.



The day is really reserved for treats . Again the Dutch who are big on this holy day serve their kids spice cookies as well as a giant milk chocolate letter of their first initial. The Germans bake giant gingerbread cookies in the shape of the saint. they're later frosted with colored icing and given out. Since St Nicholas was known for his generosity, gold coins are given out. These are the foil wrapped milk chocolate discs all kids love and get during the holiday period.


Celebrate today with loved ones and the little ones in your life. Give them cookies or chocolates for this feast day of the man who would later be Santa Claus. Emulate his generosity too by giving extra treats for children in need.

Cold Weather Comfort Foods

This is th e time of year when a good dish of comfort food comes in handy. There's; nothing as soothing as a warm plate of pasta or casserole. Even better is when it;s followed by a treat that we loved growing up. What better than to end days full of hectic shopping along with work and family demands
To me the best comfort food is still spaghetti. There;s nothing as delicious or as comforting as a big bowl of spaghettini or even angel hair, covered with home made sauce. Of course there has to be a loaf of fresh Italian bread that can be dipped into any extra left on the plate. Nothing beats homemade sauce redolent with fresh (or frozen ) basil form the garden, along with fresh garlic. Another favorite of mine is pasta con burro, spaghetti with just butter melted on it. It's plain and simple but oh so good. I know a variety of FP's readers love a good baked mac and cheese and it;s perfect during these chilly days and nights. The best ones ar e made with sharp cheddar and have a layer of crumbled bacon throughout .Even casseroles if done right are yummy. There's nothing like a recipe that started with your gran or great gran.

Of course dessert is synonymous with the phrase. Most people usually associate a bowl of chocolate pudding with Reddi Whip (here the States) as the ultimate comfort. food. Then there are the stovetop or microwave s'mores that can be made in a snap (and eaten even quicker). if you want a more decadent version sub in Vahlrona chocolate for the Hershey's; although the last is good too. Another fave is the Pillsbury slice and bake chocolate chip cookis. make a batch for yourself before any holiday baking. They're th e ultimate treat, espeically with a tall glass of milk. .

There's nothing like our favorite foods during these cold days and nights.Like a warm, fuzzy blanket they embrace us and bring us back to our childhoods. Happiness is more than a warm puppy , it a warm dish of home cooked love.

Lush Foodie Gifts Part One

For the next three Fridays up until Christmas Eve I'll be writing about what luxury foods gifts you can get for yourself or for others.. Let's face facts - everyone love a rich bottle of something or a deluxe box of goodies. Today I'm gong to kick off the series with two of the most decadent items a foodie can dream of - champagne and chocolate. The most expensive and delicious champagne out there is the brand new Angel Champagne. The chocolate is of course Vosges - one of the world's most expensive. These are definitely splurge items but - oh are they good - Even together.

Angel Champagne is not only the lushest bubbly out there it,'s probably the most expensive.The cheapest bottle is a whopping $950 for a 750 ml. Most of their bottles range the in over a grand category. It's not just the over the top taste (this is the Jaguars of champagnes after all) but how the stuff is presented. Each bottle is coated with four layers of a platinum finished and then decorated with sterling silver labels and Swavroski crystals . What about the taste?is better than even Cristal? Yes! The drink's creators, the hot Mariah Carey and the even hotter Britalian (British and Italian) entrepreneur Stefano Zagni, tailored the drink to their palates. It's Angel's fruitier, more voluptuous taste that makes any connoisseur wanting more . This is the best an d most luxurious Christmas present to buy this year.

What would go with Angel? . Decadent Vosges chocolate!!!. This is not the stuff you pick up at your local CVS or Walgreen's. Vosges chocolate averages anywhere from $80 to &100 dollars for a box. The flavors are intriguing. They have a eggnog truffle made with Jamaican rum along with the mega expensive Grenadian nutmeg. Plum pudding truffles contains Armagnac in them What I like about Vosges is that they're not afraid of the trendy. They have a whole collection of chocolate covered bacon(Now that's decadent!!!!) This company also has a vegan and gluten free line too where chilis and even rare reishi mushrooms are mixed with this top premium chocolate.

The holidays are a time of special treats. if you have the money splurge on a small bottle of Angel Champagne and a box of Vosges truffles. better yet make these your own special gifts. Don't share them with anyone!

Angel champagne can be found at www.angelchampagne.com
Vosges chocolate can be bought at www.vosgeschocolates.com

The Warmth Of Port

Port is a great drink for this time of year. Its' warm, rich color is alluring and inviting.It has a sweet cinnamon taste with a dash of spiciness to it like a rich holiday cookie Port is also an excellent holiday drink as well, being the perfect dessert wine. You can serve it with dinner or afterward s with cheese or better yet homemade shortbreads.

It was the topic of the great Eric Asimov ( I really like his column) Pour, the Dining section's spirits column. He mentions vintage port which is big amongst affectionados.These are called tawnies because of their reddish brown color and have to be aged in wooden casks for at least ten years. This mellows them and softens their fieriness.A good tawny is about twenty years old.

Mr Asimov also throws in some interesting port recipes. They are Hot Port Sangaree and along with St Charles Punch and a cocktail simply called St.Valentine. The first is more of a hot mead like drink that combines the wine ,pomegranate ,molasses and Angostura bitters. The second is a punch famous at the St Charles Hotel of New Orleans.It sounds tasty with its' mix pf port, Cognac and lemon juice.. St Valentine is just port rum and Grand Marnier with a splash of lime. This last would be a good foil with extra salty appetizers.

Buy a lush bottle of port this holiday season.It is good on its as a dessert wine. It 's also good mixed with other liqueurs for a delicious and heady cocktail

Drinks Of The Season

Now that the holiday season is officially here it's also the time for fancy and fun drinks. Various punches and cocktails abound. Today;s New York Times Dining section celebrates this with a plethora of different libations for all the occasions this season.This is a fun keep and save guide because it can be helpful in the weeks ahead.

The article, written by Steven Stern , is really informative. I like the fact that he even had cocktails for Hanukkah. That blend is a melange of the powerful aquavit along with e artichoke flavored Italian liqueur Cynar along with apricot preserves and lemon juice. The base is dry sparkling wine . This is perfect foil for any latkes and beats a side of just plain applesauce. I also like the inclusion of a spiked hot chocolate for pre caroling. This involves adding equal tables spoons (three each ) of Chartreuse and Cointreau to just plain hot cocoa. Another favorite added in is the luscious Black velvet (popular with England's Queen Victoria and named for her mourning weeds). This is a blend of champagne and chilled Guinness stout . It sounds rich and dreamy , the perfect holiday drink that;'s simple to make

Holiday require punches and Mr. Stern provides a good dearth of recipes. There is the famed milk punch which is a mix of milk, bourbon and brandy with maple syrup. Milk punch has been around forever and was and still is a popular party punch. There is also the equally Victorian (but much more lethal Original Chatham Artillery Punch which has three bottle s of champagne along with whole bottle s of Cognac and rum. This is definitely the party punch to serve to guests if you want sparks. There is also mandarin Punch, a non alcoholic drink for all ages. its; redolent of citrus and mint , having lemon line and orange added along with mint an and spearmint leaves. This would be a nice brunch punch, perfect after savory omelets and muffins.

The holiday season is upon us and it's the time to celebrate it. What better way than with fancy drinks and punches. Raise a glass of something good - and specially made by you .

Latke Fun

Tomorrow is the start of Hanukkah ( and an early one at that too). It's time to fry up some latkes to celebrate the oil lasting in the temple for eight days. This was during the famed ancient battle with the Maccabees. What's great about this ageless treat is that you can have variations.

A typical latke recipe is straightforward and simple. it's simple grated potatoes and onions bound together with milk, egg and flour. It's then deep fried in oil until crisp and crunchy. The most recommended potato is the russet because of its' starchiness and it doesn't fall apart upon frying. You can also add shredded turnips and parsnips to add a variation on flavor. Another new twist is subbing in sweet potatoes for a sweeter , earthier taste.

Latkes are usually served with sour cream and applesauce. Again this can be varied. For a healthier version , try Greek yogurt. This is thick and creamy but without the calories It's due to being made with ewe's milk. You can also have a low fat sour cream as well. Applesauce is already low in calories so you don't have to worry about it. It can be bland and watery though. Spice it up with some cinnamon and even a pinch of nutmeg.

Hanukkah is here and it's time to celebrate. Treat family and friends to fresh made latkes. Enjoy the traditional or the different varieties out there. Make any kind- they're all delicious!

Holiday Foods Make Now For Later

The holidays are busy times. It's just that simple. We all have way too much to do ,between our regular lives and holiday prepping. As much as we value any free time , it's good to use it prepping for the holidays ahead. Start making some things now , and then have an hour or two just for yourself later on.

The easiest thing to make and freeze is cookie dough. The dough can last between three and four weeks in a working freezer (I guess you can even put it outside on the front porch if the weather r is freezing by you). This is a great time saver if you're making a lot for school, an office or home party. Create up several rolls , roll them in green and red sugar and then freeze. You can cut and bake later on and have an quick platter of festive cookies all set to go. The best doughs to freeze are chocolate, chip , shortbread, peanut butter, refrigerator , sugar and brownies. These have the e thickest textured doughs. Avoid any cakelike doughs such as madeleines and black and whites.

Surprisingly enough you can also freeze a number of other dishes as well . Chili is one where you can make it now and freeze some for a tree trimming party in mid December.You can also make enough to last you through a few holiday parties if you have the space. Casseroles are also great dishes to make when you have the free time. Whip up a few even for those nights when you'll be out shopping sans family. All they have to do is throw it in the microwave and voila - instant dinner. Jambalaya - that ultimate fun get together dish is another make now freeze, serve later foods. You can make it without meat and serve a vegetarian version.along with cornbread and easy to make po boy sandwiches.

Start on your holiday treats early this year. Stock your freezer with premade goodies that will be a snap to bake or reheat.Doing this will allow you some free time later on where you can shop or just indulge yourself. That;s what any overworked chef or baker needs during this frenzied season.