Archive for December 2010

We’re making pancake mix! It’s a lovely DIY gift, and we write about it-and how to make and package it-on ModCloth.com’s adorable blog.

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When you take the butter, milk, and cream out of many popular desserts, what are you left with? Often, not much. Our hearts go out to all those who can’t stomach dairy, and over time we’ve accumulated a decent buffet from which non dairy-eaters can take all they can. In truth, many of our desserts can be tweaked to eliminate the dairy. In cookies, butter can be replaced with trans fat-free shortening. Crisco makes one, and we have had good results with Spectrum. In quickbreads and muffins, oil is an easy substitute. As for milks, experiment with different kinds…

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EVENT: Holiday Dinner, Version 2010
VENUE: Cara’s Apartment, Prospect Heights
PARTY SIZE: 12
TYPE: Make-Ahead, Festive Sunday-Night Supper
MENU: Olive and Tomato Focaccia Squares; Chicken Marbella; Barb’s Corn Pudding; Baguette; Arugula Salad with Pomegranate, Dried Cherries, and Orange-Raspberry Vinaigrette; Chocolate-Pecan Tart; Chocolate Bark

Last night, in front of the first Christmas tree Cara has ever owned (and her one single ornament-a clove-studded apple handmade by her mom), we celebrated the holidays with Chicken Marbella and Corn Pudding, Focaccia Squares and Pecan-Chocolate Tart, red wine and a Yankee swap. We ate around…

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Jenny of Food52 wrote about Cara’s delicious Wake-Up Cocoa Quick Bread in her weekly blog, In Jennie’s Kitchen.

Read the recipe and full article here.

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We shared our wisdom with the folks over at The Daily Meal on how to throw an unforgettable New Year’s Eve Sweets Party.

Read about our tips, tricks, and recipes here.

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Chocolate-Pecan Tart
Serves 12-16

This tart is not too sweet and perfect beneath a dollop of whipped cream. Amazingly enough, it’s dairy free-if you hold that cream! Read the original post here.

Ingredients
1 pie crust (I used this one, with Spectrum vegetable shortening substituted for the butter)
1 1/2 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 teaspoons neutral oil, like safflower
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups…

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Barb’s Corn Pudding
Serves 12-14

Says Barb: “I tend to under bake (like a flan) rather than over bake since it can dry out easily. I make it ahead of time often, under baking it and then throwing it into the oven again just before serving.” (This is just what I did.)

Read the original post here.

Ingredients
8 tablespoons (1 stick) butter, melted, plus more for the pan
1/2 cup sugar
8 eggs, beaten
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
4 cups milk
4…

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This giveaway is now closed. -C & P, 12/25/10

We’re deep into holiday mode over here at BGSK. Cara and Alex just bought a Christmas tree, and Phoebe is scheming a gift, under $5, to go under it at their upcoming holiday party, complete with a grab bag, and plenty of sweets.

Thanks to our friends at LeCreuset, we’ll also be spending this holiday season cooking up some fabulous stews (recipes to come), braised short ribs, and baked chicken, and one lucky reader will receive this small kitchen luxury-a 5-quart, festive cherry…

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EVENTS: Serious Eats Cookie Swap; Blogger Cookie Fest ’10

VENUES: Serious Eats Headquarters, Chelsea; Angus McIndoe, Midtown
PARTY SIZE: about 20 apiece
TYPE: Festive Holiday Gatherings…with Cookies
MENU: Milk Chocolate Cookies with Ginger and Toffee; Holiday Spiced Snickerdoodles

Recently, Phoebe and I had the opportunity to attend not one but two cookie swaps. I have to say, I’d never been to a cookie swap before, but the idea is pretty genius, and I caught right on. Basically, everyone in attendance makes enough cookies for everyone else in attendance to take one home. Participants put…

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Milk Chocolate Cookies with Ginger and Toffee
Makes 3 dozen

These cookies are a classic spruced up for the holidays. Read the original post here.

Ingredients
1 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 sticks butter (1 cup), softened
1 egg
¼ teaspoon espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
½ cup coarsely chopped crystallized ginger
1/3 cup Heath brand toffee bits
1 cup coarsely chopped milk chocolate

Preheat oven…

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