All posts filed under: Holiday Recipes

Food: Chai Infused Carrot Cake

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I love carrot cake, and it is probably the only one I won’t pass up on if I were anywhere in the world offering the option. So a carrot cake recipe is always in order, and this chai infused one is one I am trying on Saturday: For the cake: 1/4 cup of almond milk 1 tbsp of Assam tea 1 cup of sugar 3/4 cup of ghee, melted 3 eggs, room temperature 1 tsp of vanilla extract 2 cups of flour (310g) 3 tsp of baking powder 1 tsp of salt 7 – 8 turns of fresh ground black pepper 1 1/2 tsp of cardamom 1 1/2 tsp of ginger 1 tsp ground cinnamon 2 cups of fresh shredded carrots, about 2 large carrots For the frosting: 1/2 cup butter, room temperature 8oz of cream cheese, room temperature 1 cup of sifted powdered sugar 1/2 tsp of vanilla 1/2 tsp cardamom 1/2 tsp ginger 1/2 tsp cinnamon pinch of salt  {more} Do you have a favorite cake? And a well-tested recipe you wish to …

Holiday Series: Thanksgiving Preliminary Prep

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I start out with one menu – and then shift it throughout the week leading to Thanksgiving, so with that mindset, here’s what I am considering for the holiday, perhaps even leading to smaller dinner parties up to New Year’s eve. {featured source and inspiration for this blog post}

Holiday Series: Vegan Pumpkin Mousse

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I am not a fan of pumpkin pie, or cake but I am a fan of pudding or mousse alternative, so I feel like this year, we are going to have this vegan pumpkin mousse on our dessert table for thanksgiving.  So easy to make and naturally spoon right out of the blender. Okay, no I’ll do my best to scoop the masterpiece into serving bowls for a more civilized way of indulging. Ingredients 1 cup (225g) full fat coconut yogurt or coconut cream* 1/2 cup (125g) pumpkin puree  1/4 cup (80g) maple syrup 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/4 tsp salt  {more} On another healthier alternative to desserts – here’s a banana Chia pudding recipe – although this one I’m considering for breakfast come Sunday morning.  {featured image source and inspiration for this post}

Food: Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies

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I don’t bake too much, but I do help my mother when she is in the mood to bake a batch of brioche and other Mediterranean pastries. But this cookie recipe is worth a share, and one I am going to bake for the office holiday party this year – or in our case, they are calling it a fall festival party at the office set for next Thursday. INGREDIENTS 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) salted butter, at room temperature 1 1/4 cups light brown sugar packed 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 2 eggs at room temperature 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour plus more as needed 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon ginger 1/2 teaspoon cardamom 1/4 teaspoon ground all-spice 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/8 teaspoon black pepper BROWNED BUTTER FROSTING 2 sticks (1 cup) salted butter, at room temperature 3 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature 2 cups powdered sugar 1/3 cup real maple syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla extract melted white chocolate, for dipping (optional) chai sugar, for …

Hello There, Would You Like Some Cake?

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I am back, after a week off to celebrate, reflect and contemplate how the rest of the year should pan out – taking into consideration of course the minor glitches, and/or set backs, I am thinking it will hopefully stay on course and if not, I know exactly where to escape for a few days to detox-if-you-will. So, before anything, I decided to share this cake recipe with you – not sure why I am craving cake all of a sudden, but I am and this one is on point and a easy to make for that July 4th picnic you are due to bring a dish to. INGREDIENTS 1 cup granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons 3 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tablespoon lemon zest, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 cup whole milk, at room temperature 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon kosher salt CHAMOMILE STRAWBERRIES 1/4 cup honey 2 chamomile tea bags (optional) 2 cups fresh strawberries, …

All Things Holiday Series

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Since I’ve been away for a few weeks, my mind occupied otherwise, I haven’t posted much here. But while walking about here and there, and sitting down for a cup of hot tea between appointments and meetings, I can’t help but overhear folks updating one another about where they are with their Christmas to-do list: You know, gifts, decorating, dinner plans or not, and even a family holiday to some exotic destination – these topics are the norm right about now. So I figured I’d add to it.

Holiday Series: What To Bring to the Office Party

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Rrrrright about now, companies are planning their annual office party, where employees sign up for what to bring to the pot luck. Or, a group of co-workers and friends organize a house party – where they provide the alcohol, if you bring the snacks and appetizers. In case, you have run out of ideas, or the idea of running to the grocery store to stock up on pre-packaged goodies is no longer considered cool, then here are some ideas to consider. {Click on image to the recipes} {featured image source}

Holiday Series: Easy Holiday Cheese Board

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The easiest spread on any pre-dinner table is a cheese board and lots of bottles of wine and kiddy drinks of course- that’s all I’m saying. INGREDIENTS 3-4 cheese wedges such as brie, goat cheese, Merlot, and blue cheese 6-8 cups Chex Party Mix mixed olives assorted meats, such as salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni assorted fruit, such as pomegranate, pears, citrus, and persimmons assorted veggies, such as marinated artichokes, and pickles spreads, such as honey, fig preserves, and jams {more}   Best Cocktails for 2018, Best Wines for 2018, Kid non-alcoholic drinks for 2018  

Food: Holiday Series – What To Bring for Potluck

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I was over the moon when I found this recipe online. A reminder of my childhood days, during the holidays when my mother and aunts got together to bake and make holiday desserts for a family gathering. I always helped in the kitchen, but only because I wanted to taste all the goodies being whipped together across the kitchen counters all the way to the dinning table – where the women gathered to share secrets to their version of the same old recipe, and laugh out loud at all the fun being poked about this and that. I loved every minute of it. So, since potluck is the sharing of the responsibilities of the hostess – here’s a great recipe for a unique dessert – chocolate salame – that’s been tried and tested by our extended families, eons ago, somewhere in a Mediterranean kitchen: Ingredients 100 g di biscuits like digestives or similar 100 g of butter at room temperature 150 g of sugar 100 g of good quality unsweetened cocoa powder 2 eggs Icing sugar Butcher’s twine Instructions Break the biscuits coarsely with your hands: do …

Holidays: Chocolate Ginger Cookies For The Office Party or Just Because

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it’s always fun to contribute to the office holiday party – where everyone is tasked with bringing something, and like me, I normally volunteer for dessert. This year, I want to wow the crowd, and decided to skip the normal and go with something like this recipe for chocolate ginger cookies: INGREDIENTS 1 1/2 sticks salted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1 large egg 1/3 cup molasses 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt coarse sugar, for rolling 8 ounces milk or semi-sweet chocolate, melted {more}