Tag: family

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Black Cats and Halloween (2)

Note: Too all of you who indicated you could not see this original post sent on Thursday, October 31st due to a glitch, I am resending the message and working with WordPress to clarify the error.  Please enjoy the post if not for the first time, then most definitely a second!!!

108_0838 108_0839{Malcolm the Cat getting into the holiday spirit with harvested pumpkins}

Fall is one of my family’s favorite seasons, and we are thrilled when the month of October starts with the weather turning crisp and cool, along with the annual traditions within our community such as Oktoberfest, the Haunted Houses, the Jazz Festival and apple picking that make the month quite spectacular.

I never put a spooky spin on our front yard, but will pick a few pumpkins from the garden and strategically place them on the front porch alongside the earthy-colored chrysanthemums. And Malcolm our cat does his yearly rendition of attracting the trick or treaters attention by preening on the front porch until they ask if he is a real black cat, then he moves to authenticate his reality and then waits to be petted and hugged… he really is too much!!! I think what Malcolm really wants is to see what candy the children have in their bags, and hopes that one of them offers him a tasty treat.

Well tonight my family will be partaking in a few of their regular fall traditions such as the guy’s watching football on all the TV’s in the house (I am still not a true fan of the sport), handing out treats to all the ghouls and goblins and making a pot of thick and rich chili, the perfect comfort food for a spooky night!!

Have a Very Scary and Safe Halloween!!

K

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Cookbook Reviews

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I had an opportunity to scour the shelves of the cooking section (641.54) in the library yesterday, searching for holiday recipe ideas through the stacked shelves of cookbooks. Every year I write copious notes to myself in search of light confectionary treats that can be incorporated into my repertoire with the hope that family and friends will enjoy a wonderfully concocted dessert during the festive party season!

I focused on three of the books that seemed to capture the essence of what I was researching in the way of ease of preparation; a dessert that would be pleasing to the family and the items were miniature or small enough to prep several desserts with considerable ease.

First on the list is the Bouchon Bakery by Thomas Keller, which was a wonderful collection of French and American baked goods that most of us enjoyed as children such as marcarons, tartes aux fruits, and believe it or not Oreos and Hostess Ho-Hos. I think the French version of a Hostess Ho-Ho is an elegant cream puff, and cannot wait to try this elegant recipe on page 40-41 for the Chocolate Shortbread without the filling. I love the simplicity of baking shortbreads, and to pack them into cookie tins for guest who may drop in or for family who are would a teat with after dinner coffee or tea.

Second on the list is Dolci: Italy’s Sweets by Francine Segan. Ms. Segan takes the reader on a virtual tour of Italy through 125 recipes for cookies, cakes, frozen confections, and more. She has instructions for Tiramisu that does not include raw egg, from the recipe ‘Updated Tiramisu” on page 132, which I am anxious to try soon!!!

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And, last on the list is the title Petite Sweets: Bite-Size Desserts to Satisfy Every Sweet Tooth by Beatrice Ojakangas. Beatrice is a James Beard Cookbook Hall of Fame author and I have enjoyed watching her many times on Julia Child’s show on PBS. From this book she makes a velvety chocolate mousse in small glasses, ginger carrot cakelets and a two-bite whoopee pies, which are perfect examples of miniature desserts.

Cook Stylishly!!!!
K