Winter Solstice Brew

The holiday rush has taken over, but let’s not forget that means the Winter Solstice is upon us as well.  It’s the phenomenon when we will have the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern hemisphere.  The Winter Solstice with its long dark night is actually a celebration of light.  Here…

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Christmas Strawberries and Pistachio Pudding

Merry Christmas to all! This year Hanukah started on Christmas Eve, so for those of you celebrating, Happy Hanukah to you! Today, I want to share a festive dessert that us Californians can enjoy all year long.  Strawberries and Pistachio Pudding has the pretty green and red hues of Christmas and can be served beautifully for…

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Saffron Sugar Crystals with Minted Tea

While the days are shorter and the air becomes cold and crisp, as darkness falls, we find ourselves craving warmth, something that evokes coziness. A hot cup of tea is always inviting this time of year and you can make your tea time sweeter with a special addition. This winter season I have found myself…

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Roasted Chestnuts – Iconic London Christmas Staple

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping on your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir, And folks dressed up like Eskimos……. Ahh… this 1945 classic by Bob Wells and Mel Tormé is the most sung Christmas song and the most famous recording is by Nat King Cole. The song is full…

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Nargisi Kabab – Original Indian Version of Scotch Eggs For Holiday Appetizers

The Scotch Egg, originally called Nargisi Kabab or Kofta goes back hundreds of years to the Mogul Empire of India. Although the London department store, Fortnum & Mason, claims to have invented Scotch eggs in 1738, clearly the inspiration came from the Mughlai dish Nargisi Kabab, which the British must have encountered as they claimed…

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Old Fashioned Chocolate Doughnut Cakes for the Holidays

It’s the last night of Hanukkah and I had promised last week to provide a variation in doughnut recipes which is a bit easier and chocolatier. I think Old Fashioned Chocolate Doughnut Cakes are simply divine in the winter time to enjoy fresh out of the oven with hot chocolate or a cup of warm…

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Smoked Salmon Filled Yorkshire Pudding for Christmas

This week we have been doing a lot of Hanukkah celebration ideas, however, today it’s time to get back to how the Brits party during the holidays, particularly Christmas.  I think todays little party starter appetizer is a great selection because it involves salmon which also plays into the Hanukkah festivities.  Besides salmon being a Jewish…

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Individual Picadillo Shepherd’s Pie Great For Holiday Parties

Shepherd’s Pie is a homely and one of the coziest comfort foods on a wintry night. I think that is why it translates well into holiday time food. Served to school children in dormitories and to the wealthy in restaurants, such as The Ivy it appeals to all tastes. Shepherd’s Pie is originally known as…

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