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..