Star-Studded Holiday Granola Parfaits~

For Christmas Brunch..I served a few little "cakes gourmands"..with Holiday Salt. .. then at the table with the mimosas..I had made these Granola Parfaits.. to start.. I had a bowl of packaged yogurts for the small boys to chose and they could add their own fresh granola if they wanted..I have learned that little boys are their own food critics..and prefer simpler things:)
I made granola..an easy peasy recipe....added Greek yogurt..drizzled with honey on every layer..It was chilled..and hit the spot~

Nice and light before a French Toast Casserole an pecan praline bacon..
I could just eat the parfaits actually~I almost did just that.



The granola recipe is a mix of several..

Rolled Oats.. coconut,brown sugar,cranberries, cinnamon,butter, maole syrup..etc..

I really did improvise and mix 3 recipes up..Can't remember exactly which proportions either..except for the 4 cups of rolled oats:)

I enjoy Carambolas../Starfruit.. so pretty for the season~Did you know you can slice them up and freeze them? It works! They lighten in color though..not this crisp fresh green~

Nice little New Year's Day Breakfast also~

Enjoy your evening and let's all wake up to a fresh sparkly ,healthy and happy new year~

Savory Appetizer Cakes~ Cute and Good~

Hmm.. still some entertaining left to do?



After all NYE is right around the corner.. let me tempt you w/ these..


They are really good and I will offer another little variety soon..






La Recette
Butternut Squash ,Parmesan+ Sage Appetizer cakes



The basis for the recipes~Preheat oven at 350 F.
120 gr flour
2 eggs
70 gr Gruyère cheese
7 cl milk
7 cl evoo
1/2 envelope yeast
salt and pepper


Additional ings

100 gr parmesan cheese
100 gr grated butternut squash(Winter squash is the exact ing..but I only had butternut)
3 fresh sage leaves


Grate your cheeses..reserve

Chop your sage,reserve
Grate your squash and wring out thoroughly, reserve
Before doing the following I keep a bit of cheese to top the cute cakes..
In a bowl,mix the eggs,milk,evoo,salt ,pepper, add the gruyère and parmesan and squash and sage.... then add the flour.. and then gently add the yeast mixing gently..
Pour into your little prepared molds(the silicone ones need no prepping) and
immediately put in oven and bake for ap 30 mins or until a toothpick comes out clean~







Slice and serve warm.. add a touch of salt if you wish~ They freeze beautifully..Nice rewarmed ..15 secs in the microwave also..
Delicious w/ wine and cheese.

I got this recipe from a book I'll share w/ you in a little bit~ W/ a different version of these..

Soul Food #70~

Do you believe in fairies? … If you believe clap your hands.
James M. Barrie
Peter Pan.

P.S.I hope she doesn't mind.. many blogs inspired me this season..about thinking of others etc..But this is one I sent to my daughters.. And husband:)
I love this post.
Lolab's

Click on Lolab's above and be warmed.

Joyeux Noël~

Merry Christmas~ Feliz Navidad~Gesëende Kersfees~Froehliche Weihnachten~Buone Feste Natalizie~Kung His Hsin Nien bing Chu Shen Tan~Gun Tso Sun Tan'Gung Haw Sun~Een Plesierige Kerfees~Vrolijk Kerstfeest en een Gelukkig Nieuwjaar! or Zalig Kerstfeast~
Etc...

Gracious Thanks for your Friendship~

Alphabet Boys Christmas Brunch~

We're having our family for Christmas Brunch..my daughter is doing Christmas Eve(bless her heart)..I usually make the same thing every year..A little Muesli Yogurt Parfait.. a breakfast make- ahead dish..pecan praline bacon.. Mimosas.. the usual fare.. sometimes smoked salmon.. chesses.. pâtés..tea..coffee..

But I have a little treat for the Alphabet Boys ..



You can use any recipe for pancakes..I loved Jamie Oliver's recipe watching Poppy and Daisy make them..do you know you can make them ahead of time..pancakes.. freeze them..then warm in the oven?

Cause there's no way you can get everything done Christmas morn~
I think they will love these..



All the way here from California these molds are:)



I made them in my electric skillet..I could do 2 at a time..

And they didn't burn..nice even cooking..



They are so cute..if you have little ones..I recommend these..I would have never found them here..
Call me Grateful~.

Jamie's recipe is so easy..One cup self rising flour..one cup milk..one egg.. a pinch of salt..add fruit if you want:)I love his Christmas Specials..LOVE them. His darling family is just so sweet.And he's pretty neat too:)

Marie Christmas~

Yes..another The English Kitchen..aka Marie recipe..

She's got a hold on cute..
I could not resist trying her little Christmas treats..I know a few little boys who may get a kick out of these..

So much fun to make..relatively inexpensive..Bulk Barn has little Christmas decorations by the lb. for next to nothing.. and they are wonderful for small hands..

Unfortunately Flake Bars seem out of favor here because we could not find one!



I found other little things..But do go see Marie's..They are priceless..

La Recette~
Thanks to Marie~In her exact words:

*Christmas Crispie Cakes*
Makes 8 large ones, or 12 small ones


Crisp and chocolatey and very Christmassy! Children love them!

3 ounces crisp rice cereal (3 cups)
50g of good quality milk chocolate (I use Green and Blacks) (About 2 ounces)
50g of good quality dark chocolate (Again Green and Blacks) (About 2 ounces)
Assorted decorations
a bit of melted chocolate to help adhere the decorations
sifted icing sugar


Melt both chocolates in a bowl set over simmering water. Don't allow the water to touch the bottom of the bowl. Whisk well together. Place the cereal into a bowl. Pour the chocolate over top and mix well with a spoon. Line a bun tin with paper liners. (I like to use pretty ones) Spoon in the cereal chocolate mixture, heaping it up a bit. Allow to sit at room temperature for an hour or so to set. Dust with icing sugar to look like snow. Melt a bit more chocolate and add Christmas sprinkles and decorations to suit. Chocolate Flakes cut into short lengths make great logs! If you can get some holly leaves they look pretty nice sitting on top of the logs. I used holly sprinkles and they are not as nice, but are still attractive.

Thanks so much Marie..for all the great ideas this year~

P.S. Mine made more than 12.. but they are almost bite size~

Soul Food #69

It's that beautiful time of the year when we celebrate a very special birth~
I know that every year my thoughts can get excited ..and happy because of my family..my little grandchildren.. the beauty of the snow..The memories of years gone by.. Mass.. being with my own parents..my family..
But melancholy can set in.. when visions of certain people no longer with us twirl in our minds..And all the commercialism.. can make one cringe.. Too much "stuff"...

All in all I've been pretty blessed..there have been times of course..like everyone..

It's the first time in many many years..that I am actually realizing that all this Christmas cheer..the songs on the radio..the loud Christmas Specials on TV with people dancing around ..all smiles... are not for everyone..

I know some are probably very blue around this time of year.. alone.. fearful..sick..homeless..missing someone special..

It's not for everyone to revel in Good Tidings of Joy~to ring in a New Year.. to party and be merry~

I just want to say that this year..in particular..I am thinking about you all.. and I hope ..in some way..you have a blessed Christmas.. Perhaps by thinking of what it really is about..some comfort will be had.
By looking into ourselves..for peace.

My little wax Jesus has stood the test of time.. he must be as old as I am.. 56..he's missing an arm.. his facial features are fading.. his hair is sparser..
But I love him to bits.. He's every Christmas I ever had.

And every Christmas I hope to have~Watching 4 little boys grow up~and partaking actively in their precious lives~

MMMMacarons~!♥

I did it..I really really did it:) Them~



I was at Costco and ONE book called my name out loud..they had a selection of European books in cases w/ little baking dishes..or silicone molds..or 1 only Macarons book w/ all the necessary accoutrements..Could I resist?

I picked it up and knew I was buying it w/out hesitation..sometimes that happens..not often..not one split second of indecision..The original price was in Euros..I love their symbol..I think the cover got me..then the symbol..then seeing everything that came with it!

I love this book..It was the only one!!

Serendipity.

I needed that. I need that.

I am so happy..they have feet..they turned out well..



I filled some w/ jam..some w/ dulche de leche..some w/ nutella..I didn't get carried away with fillings as I did not know I would actually get them right.

You know they're not my favorite cookies..but they're my favorite looking cookie.I was in Paris for a few moments..

Ladurée.. area.. up the street a bit maybe..but in my mind..when I saw them..done..I was IN Paris..

This is the little book and accoutrements..

Très Joli emballage!

Je suis emballée!


Thank you Costco for your little goodies once in a while!~
Made my day.

Footnote..I filled quite a few..brought some to my DD across the street and kept some.. 2 were left over.. the next day they had gone soft..glad I saved the rest of the shells they are fine unfilled..

Pretty little things for sure~

Soul Food #68

Come watch it with me~

Mini Ginger Christmas Cheesecakes~

I love that little Norpro Mini Cheesecake pan..It makes miniatures of larger version heavier cakes..These are almost bite sized..refreshingly good during the holidays..


Served on individual spoons..they are an ideal little pass around~

La recette

Usual Graham cracker cheesecake crust..
1 1/2 c Graham Cracker Crumbs
1/3 c Sugar
1/3 c Melted Butter

Mix all the ings..and pat in little tin..I use the end of a lemon reamer to get a nice flat shape..
You could also make the crust with gingersnap cookies:) Even more gingery!

Bake at 350 ..8-10 mins then fill..Mine took a little less time as they are small..

This time I filled with Marie's Ginger Cheesecake filling..

*Little Ginger Cheesecakes*
Makes 12 small muffin sized cheesecakes


Delicious little personal sized cheesecakes flavoured with spicy ginger. Quick, easy to make and most impressive!

2 packages (250g each of cream cheese, softened (8 ounces each)
100g of caster sugar (1/2 cup)
2 large free range eggs
2 knobs of preserved ginger, finely chopped
1 TBS of the syrup from the ginger jar

I halved the recipe for J and I to test:)Great.. why should I have bothered testing a Marie recipe?:)

Beat the cream cheese, sugar and ginger syrup together in a bowl until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, on low speed just until blended in. Stir in the chopped preserved ginger.

Bake in the heated oven for 20 minutes or until the centres are almost set.

Cool, then place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 3 hours or overnight.

Go to Marie's Blog for her pretty..different version..



That everyone should..should:) Like~

Gingerbread Coffee Mug Houses~

Rudolph!~Where's your little red nose?



All warmed up from Nana's Green Tea?:)


Last year when I saw Not Martha's adorable little houses..I knew I would try this year~

Hers are so perfect..I think we have more snow here:)

This was a fun little project..I will get new straight edged mugs.. white perhaps..at the dollar store and try them on that..seems all our plain mugs have curled lips..

You can get the how to's at her terrific blog..So many wonderful ideas.. endless resources..etc..

I used SOl's Gingerbread recipe..If you would love to have your proverbial Christmas Knickers knocked off..go see Memories In The Baking~Her Gingerbread did not spread..it stayed perfect..I saved her recipe too from last year..BELIEVE me.. she's good..Ace Of Cakes:)etc..

Eye candy galore at her blog too..A Christmas gift for you all to go see..Many of you have ..but just in case~



Holiday Whimsy~

Soul Food #67~

"Like snowflakes, my Christmas memories gather and dance - each beautiful, unique and too soon gone."—Deborah Whipp

Thank You~ Merçi~

It's December..already.. So soon? Yet so long ago seems last Christmas..

I just wanted to start this month off with gratitude to people I have "Met" here..

The above little decorations were all made by the generosity of Miette's sharing..a new blogging friend for me this year..



It seems that we really do get to share wonderful thoughts..inspirations..ideas..friendships through this cyberspace..France,The USA,South Africa, Australia, Canada, Singapore,Malaysia,Hong Kong,China.. England..THE WORLD!
I cannot tell you how many nice people I have met including my NBF.. and newer friends.. This year..kindness has abounded in letters and notes ..and I just want to say thank you thank you thank you..For everything ,from the bottom of my heart~

We correspond with some and open up and share and learn and get strength..learn about Grace and Courage.. and kindness..ad generosity..

We also get to learn new things..The Graphics Fairy has been a source of such creativity for me..as well as her followers who share their great ideas..

Like..Vintiquities Workshop~



There is still a lot to add to these...But I thought I would share in case you missed~

So you see..all are copies.. all are ideas from this fun little alone time world..

Un gros Merçi..cause we're not always baking and cooking and hands need to be busy~
I wish you all a wonderful month of December and the Happiest of Holidays..

Soul Food #66

The pursuit, even of the best things, ought to be calm and tranquil.”

Marcus Tullius.

Happy Birthday Mary~Nov 28th~

It's Mary's Birthday~tomorrow...

But it's nice to celebrate all weekend don't you think?

I am sure you all know Mary..Mari.. and have been inspired so much over the years by her beautiful blog..I just want to say thanks for all the inspiration over my years..:)

From flowers to food to pretty things and even penguins:)


Happiness always Mary~..

Coffee and a Treat~

A little Cap..and a little sweet~

I am such a square person:)

I love little bites.. I bought this pan last year for crumb cakes..But when Marie posted her indescribably delicious Raspberry Tarts..I thought..Yes!



Make them in the little crumb pans..

Honestly..no matter what pan you make these in..they are absolutely supercalifragilisticexpialidociously good and easy.



Thanks again..and again Marie~

La Recette~

*Raspberry Jam Bars*
Makes 16 squares, or 10 tarts


140g (1 cup) flour
pinch salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
4 ounces (8 TBS) unsalted butter at room temperature
85g (1/2 cup) packed dark brown sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla or almond extract
50g (1/2 cup) oats
(not instant oats)
50g (1/2 cup) sliced almonds
4 heaped dessertspoons of seedless raspberry jam

Pre-heat the oven to 180*C/350*F. Line an 8 inch square baking tin with aluminium foil, leaving an overhang on two opposite sides. Set aside.

Cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Stir in the vanilla. Whisk together the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir this mixture into the creamed mixture. Stir in the oats and sliced almonds. Reserve 1.2 cup of this mixture and set it aside. Press the remaining mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Dollop the raspberry jam over top and spread it out with a rubber spatula to within 1/2 inch of the sides of the pan all around. Crumble the reserved oat mixture evenly over top.

Bake for 35 to 40 minutes until the dough is golden brown and the jam is lightly bubbling. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

Use the foil overhang to lift the baked mixture out of the pan. Cut into 16 squares with a sharp knife, or using a sharp two inch round cutter, cut it into small round tartlettes.

Un petit café..et ces barres savoureuses..Un délice~
Anywhere on earth~

La Gazpacho De Frédérick~

Again here I am on the bring some food to someone bandwagon~
In the summer cold soups are perfect..and so many nutrients are in soups like Gazpacho..Tomatoes are wonderfully good for you~



And when your handsome,tanned,barefoot son-in -law drops it off.. made by him..
All the better~



When I thanked him..I said please let me watch you make it next time..

Cause mine never tasted so good~
La Recette~
Ingredients
3 tomatoes, peeled
1 sweet red pepper, halved and seeded
1 green pepper, halved and seeded
1 English cucumber, peeled
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 tbsp (25 mL) red wine vinegar
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
3-1/2 cups (875 mL) vegetable cocktail, (approx)
1/4 tsp (1 mL) hot pepper sauce
1 pinch salt
1 pinch pepper
Garnish:
1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
2 slices day-old bread, crusts removed
2 green onions
Preparation:
Halve tomatoes; scoop out seeds. Grip chef's knife with fingers meeting thumb underneath. With knife tip stationary and palm of other hand on top, coarsely chop 2 tomatoes, red pepper, half of green pepper and half of cucumber; set remaining vegetables aside.
In food processor, or in blender in batches, puree chopped tomatoes, sweet peppers, cucumber, garlic, vinegar and oil until smooth. Transfer to large bowl; stir in vegetable cocktail and hot pepper sauce.

His notes~
I added parsley, tarragon and onions,cucumber and I used white balsamic vinegar and pink & white pepper.

Well now winter's at our doorstep in QC.. but so many other places can enjoy this soup :) I am thinking where it is always warm..or warm when we are cold..
You can't miss with his delicioso soup:)I love it~

Soul Food #65~

Happiness is thinking tomorrow will be better and next week even better~



I read this recently and wanted to keep the saying close to my heart..This way I will always find it~

A Fun Little Craft~

I don't have fabulous photos of this fun new craft..And my initial trial leaves much to be desired.. so in all it's flaws..I'll still share in case you want to try some before Christmas..

I initially landed upon the technique by happenstance..and wanted to try..


They really should be painted afterwards..but I wanted the shell to stand out..

You use a stamping set..


That you can find on EBAY or Etsy..

And you use Fimo..Or Sculpey..


I think they are so much fun to make as gift tags etc..
My friend Nancy is doing me a helpful favor..I bought her Eat Pray Love..the soundtrack..I'll wrap it up and attach this little baked clay gift tag..Imagine the possibilities..


Didn't love the book..only the Italy part really got to me..but LOVED the movie and the soundtrack..It's got to be because of Julia.. And Javier.. They are both endearing.... Julia..to me is just special in movies.. as Penelope is too..Ok and Meryl..and Diane Keaton:)Love her too.Not to mention Juliette..and Audrey T and Audrey H..And Katherine H..the list goes on and on..but not too long~



A bit like our Brigitte cookies:)

I wish I could find the link where I found the tutorial..Hers were beautiful! I saved it...and have lost the link..As soon as I find it again..I will share..She preferred the dark Fimo..and painting white on top then rubbing off..

I'll look into that:)

There is a technique..I did stamp a bit too hard..you should not see the circles.. A cookie cutter would make better shapes..The ones I made so far are freehand~

Enjoy~
Oh and yes the kiss lying on it's side was an error..But it was all done..It adds charm:) I hope..But it is a mistake..:)(Embarrassed).

I made little ones for the alphabet boys..w/ shark's teeth..I am tempted to make necklaces:)As if..they would wear them:) Shark's teeth..the older boys might like that..Most probably they will end up as cool gift tags for them on a certain Christmas present:)



Thank goodness the shell is distracting:)



Almost as much as the alligator~Eating a shoe with his sharp shell teeth~
Have a lovely weekend~

PS..I found the LINK!

Oui ,Encore Des Cretons~

Yes again Cretons...



I have started some little nibbles..I have posted these before..they are immeasurably handy to have on hand during the holidays..My husband loves them..So they are repeats every yr..Now w/ Jana's Mousse de Volaille of course~

Both recipes can be found here for les cretons.. and here..for the mousse..both freeze well..

Les Cretons are amazing w/ Brunch/Breakfast also..Both are lovely accompanied w/ a fine mustard..



The cretons can be left coarse or blended fine..



I make smaller pots now.. since I now have some:)..and freeze..and love the look of pink peppercorns to adorn~
Enjoy~

As IT will be here before we know it~


That time of year when Santa comes down the chimney..and having a little something available short notice ,home made,in the freezer is welcomed for guests~:)