December 22, 2008
Holiday Recipes
I have recently learned to crochet for the sole purpose of making amigurumi -- Japanese-style crocheted or knit toys -- and you are looking at my very first project, which is supposed to be a cupcake, after Nimoe's lovely pattern.
This is my way of wishing you a joyful and delicious holiday season, and it should give you a hint as to what I plan to do with my free time in the coming days, in between last-minute errands and a little baking: I have offered to bring dessert for Christmas lunch and I have a rough idea of what I want to make -- I'm picturing a light entremets garnished with raspberries and a fromage blanc mousse --, but I have some thinking and researching to do, to make sure our family gathering does not end on a cake wreck.
I would like to remind you that our Menu for Hope fundraising raffle, which will benefit the school lunch program in Lesotho, is running until December 31. Please consider donating what you can -- even $10 will make a difference, and will give you a chance to win one of the fantastic prizes food bloggers around the world have contributed to the cause. Such raffle tickets make fun stocking stuffers, too! Here is more detail about how it works, and a description of the three prizes I am offering: books! lingerie cookie cutters! reusable shopping bags! you know you want them!
If you are looking for more gift ideas -- aren't we all? -- you may find inspiration in the C&Z store and this related topic on the forums.
And if you are still putting together your holiday menu, or figuring out what to contribute to your aunt's/mother's/generous host's, here are some recipes to consider from the archives of Chocolate & Zucchini:
Christmas recipes from the archives:
~ Aged gouda and dried pear scones,
~ Beet soup with anchovy-walnut paste,
~ Butternut squash and vanilla soup,
~ Mâche salad with endives and beets,
~ Warm squash and white bean salad,
~ Broccoli and cornmeal upside-down cake,
~ Cauliflower gratin,
~ Spiced carrot oven fries,
~ Chocolate and pineapple jelly,
~ Flourless orange and ginger cake,
~ Flourless poppy seed cake.
And if you're looking for easy edible gifts, check the discussion on the forums, and these recipes:
~ Coconut macaroons,
~ Chestnut pecan biscotti,
~ Florentins,
~ Very ginger cookies,
~ Homemade tisane,
~ Shortbread,
~ Hazelnut and pepper cookies,
~ Rose and chocolate marshmallows,
~ Chocolate-dipped dried pears,
~ Almond lemon curd.
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Comments (24)
Permalink | Posted by clotilde in Interlude
Cute :) Joyeux Noël to you Clotilde!
Posted by kim on December 22, 2008 6:16 PMHappy holidays. Thanks for all the joy you spread throughout the year.
We are in Bratislava for the holidays with family after a wonderful week in Paris, including a delightful dinner at Spring on Tuesday, the 16th. Coincidentally, The New York Times ran a very nice article about Daniel Rose on the very same day.
We loved spending our evening at Spring--it was a literal and visual feast as we had ringside seats to the prep area. Daniel Rose [with the able assistance of Marie-Aude) does a great job of making everything special. Simply special.
Since returning from Paris, we are interested in finding the best sable recipe. Tried one from epicurious.com and will next try Dorie Greenspan's--as recommended by CZ. Even smuggled some French butter in my carryon with an icepack .
Posted by Marielle on December 22, 2008 6:33 PMGreat ideas! The soups and cakes sound delightful as do those edible gifts. I made cookies, toffee, popcorn balls, and fudge this year, and gave away jars of jam I made over summer. Homemade gifts make the best ones.
Posted by DD on December 22, 2008 6:51 PMWow, that is your first amigurimi project? It looks perfect - and perfectly adorable! This post included several firsts for me... I have never before heard of either amigurimi or entremets. Thanks! Have a wonderful holiday season!
Posted by Dawn in CA on December 22, 2008 7:37 PMHow cute! You should join Ravelry, if you haven't already.
Posted by Caroline on December 22, 2008 7:45 PMClotilde
How are you?
Just corrected the Prize Number on your Lingerie Cookie Cutters in my piece on 'Serge the Concierge'
Joyeux Noel
Serge
Posted by Serge Lescouarnec on December 22, 2008 8:42 PMhttp://www.sergetheconcierge.com
How fun, I'll give it a try. Love your blog but don't comment too often. I just read your article in the January issue of Martha. Congratulations!! Are you going to be a regular? Hope so!
Posted by Judy on December 22, 2008 10:06 PMLike Dawn, this was also the first time I have heard of amigurumi. So cute! You must have inherited your mom's crafts skills (yes, I love Coupe Couture!).
Posted by Jennifer K on December 22, 2008 11:03 PMWishing you a very happy holiday season!
When making macaroons, I used black walnuts one time and they were so delicious. Now I always use them. I have also eaten some made with chocolate chips instead of nuts.
I am the proud (Christmas) owner of a Cuisinart 11 cup Power Prep Plus and it has a dough cycle. There are cookie recipes in the booklet and I will try macaroons.
Posted by Marcia on December 23, 2008 12:02 AMThe ginger and orange cake looks wonderful. Plus I have a giant bag of sugar crystals that I bought at G.Detou on vacation last summer. I've been hoping to find other ways to use them - any other ideas besides the little pastries from your Paris book (which were so fun to make & my kids love them.)
Posted by Susan on December 23, 2008 4:46 AMOh, certainly ~ Ravelry would welcome Clotilde with open arms :-)
'n a joyous season to you Clotilde..'n thanks for the list..I like the idea of the squash..nothing like last minute suggestions that come to the aid of the cronic procrastinators in chocolate&zucchiniland..
Posted by Joan on December 23, 2008 5:57 AMWow, you did a great job with your first (!) project! Thank you for another year of sweet (and savory) deliciousness! Happy 2009!
Posted by Cakespy on December 23, 2008 7:58 AMA very Merry Christmas to you, Clotilde, and best wishes for 2009.
Posted by Judy on December 23, 2008 10:37 PMWow,Clotilde!Your amigurumi is so cute! (Did I spell that right?)
Posted by Alice on December 24, 2008 1:35 AMHappy Holidays to you too! May there be many new new recipes in the new year!:)
Alice
Well, they're not on your list but I'm happy to report that your biscuits tres chocolat are already a huge hit in London! (Love the amigurumi, by the way - though I think your owl is my favourite.)
Joyeuses fetes, Clotilde!
Posted by Rachel on December 24, 2008 5:56 AMI love your amigurumi! So cute and in my favorite design -- a cupcake!
Thanks for making the blogosphere a more delicious place this year!
Joyeuses Fetes!
Posted by Little Miss Cupcake on December 24, 2008 2:46 PMMerry Christmas Clotilde!
Posted by tamami on December 25, 2008 7:50 AMJust dropping by to wish you a happy holiday! Cheers!
Posted by Foodista on December 26, 2008 6:34 AMHi Clotide!
Happy holidays! I'm a fellow blogger - a nutritionist and food-lover in NYC and I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your blog. I'm headed to Paris in March and can't wait for my tastebuds to start exploring!
Posted by Marissa on December 28, 2008 3:36 AMThanks for writing and cooking!
I love the retro look of the Japanese style toys! Adorable!
Posted by Laura on December 29, 2008 8:03 PMThank you Clotilde for the recipe suggestions, and in particular, the edible gift ideas. There's nothing like a gift made from the heart... and perfect for the belly!
Wishing you and your family a cake-wreck free holiday season and of course, a happy New Year :)
Posted by Yasmin (Almond & The Hazelnut) on December 31, 2008 4:48 AMSeveral weeks ago, I read your entire archive and fell in love with your blog. What I didn't know is that this past summer, you met with my sister's study abroad in Paris group, and she has had a copy of your book since then. It was great to have something we have in common... although I'm jealous she got to meet you instead of me!
Posted by emiglia on January 1, 2009 4:22 PMI've been wanting to make some amigurumi myself but finding it hard to self-teach. Because of your confession of learning crochet just to make amigurumi, I've decided to renew my effort on self-teaching. I found a great blog with very helpful helps and a small bit of free patterns to get started. Sharing it with you - www.planetjune.com
ty for the inspiration!
Posted by elvie on January 2, 2009 7:35 PMMy friend Malia Mather, living in Holland, makes these wonderful Amigurumi "candies" . You can see them at http://www.matherlife.blogspot.com under September 13 entry "Sweet Things". Malia also has her own craft blog with a pattern called "Scootie Pie" that is adorable.
On a food note, the most beautifully decorated pastries I've ever seen are Wendel's at http://www.flickr.com/photos/lookatmyphotos/
Posted by Gayle Grace on January 3, 2009 4:39 AMPlease check these out - they are truly works of art! Thanks... G