Happy New Year - Bake me up a Martini

Christmas is over and my baking feet need to rest. I am planning a few appetizers for New Years Eve (mostly leftover "Crabbies"), but we really are not planning much so my big focus is on the beverages. I am a fan of the fancy "Martinis". You know the drinks where they mix a bunch of stuff together (to make it strong), add some girlie juice (aka pineapple/pomegranate) or dairy product (cream/ice cream), put some sugar around the rim and serve it in a martini glass. This holiday season I got to try out an Eggnog Martini (Yum) and Berries & Cream Martini (Not as good). In order to support my habit, for the past few Christmases I have asked my family and friends to get me alcohol to stock up my very puny bar. Every year I get socks. (So friends if you are reading this...I really want the booze!) So I will be trudging over the hills and through the woods to the tax-free New Hampshire liquor store to pick up my essentials. After looking at some Holiday Drink Recipes I think I have decided to try the Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer and the Peppermint Mojito (because someone did listen to my plea and got me a bottle of Champagne as a gift). I am just glad I have until Wednesday for my next post, Baker Babe is probably going to need a few days to recover from this "baking" project. Happy New Year Everyone!

Holiday Gift Round Up Reviews

I found one great advantage of writing a blog and exposing your inner soul to the world is that come present time Friends and Family have a semi idea of what to get you . So this year to my extreme pleasure I received many cookbooks and kitchen ideas that will support my hobby throughout the coming years. Some of my choice favorites this year:

1. The Cookie and Biscuit Bible - This book is AWESOME!!!! It has a great intro section with basic information on a wide variety of baking terms and techniques. It amazes me on to how much you can really learn in the baking world. Then it is filled with so many different types of cookies/biscuits/crackers that it will keep Baker Babe busy for many weeks to come. My favorite part is that is has a lot of different type of cookies from all over the world with little write ups and history blurbs so Baker Babe is going to forced to get "cultured".


2. Cooking with Paula Dean Magazine - I am not a regular watcher of the Food Channel but when I do happen to see it I always love to see what Paula Deen is cooking up. Not something you can eat every week because her food is so rich, but reading my special Christmas Issue that I received I had to wipe the drool away. I am so looking forward to trying out the cakes and cookies.



3. Silicone Bakeware - I have to admit I was tempted to buy into the whole silicone Bakeware popularity wave a few years but never did (Combination of laziness and cheapness). Now is my chance to try it since I received some Silicone Individual Muffin Cups and Silicone Baking Mat. I will let you know how it turns out.

If you received any great baking items this year that you want to share post it in the comments section (just requires a free, easy sign up with blogger). I am still hoping some of my friends took my New Year' Gift idea to heart and a few more items will still roll in. Enjoy!

Crab Triangles - Easy Holiday Appetizer

With this blog I am always thinking what my next creation will be. I was trying to think of something to bring to my family gathering, which is hard because my mother-in-law always cooks for an army when company comes over. I decided this recipe would be good. You can make it ahead and extras can be stored for a while in the freezer. Plus I am big fan of anything mini and bite size. Also if you celebrate the Feast of the seven fishes this can be one to cross of the list (Which I have to admit I have heard of but had to Google for complete details). So I was all set to make these when I found out that my mother-in-law already bet me to the punch. So I am going to have a nice relaxing bake free holiday for a change. And I think I will enjoy it. Merry Christmas everyone!

Crab Triangle Appetizers (aka Crabbies)
1 pkg (6) English muffins
5 oz jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spreed
1/2 cup margarine
1T mayo
1/4 tsp seasoned salt
1/4 tsp garlic powder
2T dried onion
6 oz can crab meat
Mix all ingredients except muffins. Spread mixture on split muffins. Cut each muffin half into six triangles. Freeze on cookie sheet. When ready to serve bake frozen at 400 degrees for 10 min or until brown and bubbly.

Make the time to Bake – Simplify your Holiday Season

For those people that know me I am a busy person like all of us are. I work full time and have a son. So people often wonder how I find time to bake especially during the holidays. My answer is that I find time to enjoy the things that are really important to me and baking is one of them. It is almost like therapy to me. It is magical to see all the different ingredients come together and make something so special (well most of the time). And I like to give the results to others. I think they enjoy it too!

But tonight I am baked out. Five days before Christmas and I have entered the final stressed out stage. No matter how hard I plan there is always some last minute potluck, present to get or card to send. And although I love the Christmas dinner get togethers and the goodies I have been getting as presents what I really need is a nice big stalk of broccoli with a bow on it.

So here a few holiday tips that I did this year to give myself more time (the greatest holiday gift of all):

1. No Christmas Tree. We are not going to be around for the actual day anyways so I saved time decorating and money this year.
2. Send Happy New Year’s Presents. Most of my friends travel during Christmas anyways so it seems silly to send perishables that will just sit on the doorstep. Save time by missing the Christmas crowds at the Post Office.
3. What did we do without gift cards? (Oh, yeah there was cash). And in my neck of the woods you can buy all types of cards at the local drugstore or supermarket. Saves time traveling in the thick of the jungle we know as the mall zone. You can even buy them online if you order them in time to get them in the mail (or some have print out certificates you can do.
4. Reuse cards. Instead of hauling out the Christmas decorations and storing them each year. I just clear off my fireplace mantle, put up a little greenery and Christmas lights and wait for the Christmas cards to roll in. By the time Christmas comes I have a mantle filled with photos and greetings from the ones we love.
5. Bag it, don’t wrap it. Wrapping a present can take a good two minutes (ten if my son is helping me). Putting it into a bag with tissue paper takes two seconds. Do the math.
6. Finally, there is no shame in buying baked goods and potluck dishes at the supermarket or restaurants. You can buy almost anything you want and if you are feeling really guilty just throw it into your own pan to make it look good. Save even more time by buying online and having it delivered straight to your door. (Check out Bake Me A Wish)

Ok, off to wrap (I mean bag) a few more gifts. Just remember to keep you holiday spirit going strong and keep your ovens hot.

Coconut Biscotti - Let it Snow, Rain & Sleet

Continuing with my tropical theme (and because I now have a 1/2 bag of coconut to use up) I wanted to try this recipe for Coconut Biscotti from Cooking Light. I thought it would make nice gifts for people at work when paired with a bag of tea. I have never made biscotti before so I was a little nervous. But I found it to be very easy, you just have to have to have the time to do the double baking process (only 60 minutes total). And today was the perfect since we are being hit by a Nor'easter with a combination of snow, sleet, and rain so they is no way I am going outside.


I am also a big supporter of recycling so wanted to share another package idea.

Reuse a clementine crate to put baked goods in. Also view the past Holiday Baking - Tricks of the Trade post to see how I packaged the biscotti.

Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze - It is begining to smell a lot like Christmas

Tonight I was planning to make this recipe I have been dying to try from Cooking Light - the Coconut Banana Bread with Lime Glaze. I have been eyeing this recipe for two years now, but just haven't had a chance to try it out. I bought the coconut and fresh limes at my last supermarket trip. Unfortunately I forgot the plain yogurt (which we do not just have sitting around the fridge) so will have to do the actually baking tomorrow. I will post a photo then with my results. I just don't feel like stomping out in the cold for one item (and I don't have my husband well trained).

I do have the very ripe bananas needed to make banana bread the best it can be. My bananas have been sitting on the counter for over a week patiently waiting to be called up for their duty. And that time has come. They have turned that nice black color which looks disgusting, but is really the best for getting the nice moist banana out of it. I really do have to cook this tomorrow as I am afraid that my husband is going to throw then out. He ates bananas (aka since it is a fruit) so needless to say black bananas send him over the edge.

My plan is to bake up 3-4 small loaves of this to give out as gifts this year. It seems to fit well with a tropical theme I have going with another recipe I want to do this weekend. If it is going to be so flipping cold at least I can pretend to be in warmer weather. Mele Kalikimaka !!!!!

Holiday Baking - Tricks of the Trade

I have found that baking holiday treats seems to be the easiest part sometimes. It is the wrapping that gets a little tricky. Sure I could just do a box or plastic container but it seems like in this day in age to make a real impression you have to turn into Martha Stewart. And most of the time I don't feel like stomping through the woods for fresh pine twigs and holly berries. So luckily most places sell holiday containers now that work for most occasions. Some of the other ideas I have seen that were unique were decorated Chinese take out boxes or a baking bowl or pan (like the KitchenAid 3-pc. Mixing Bowl Set) that can be reused.

I also think it was nice to to give people a copy of the recipe I used so that they know what is in it (in case of allergies) and also so they can try baking it on their own. Avery has a lot of supplies that you can use to print out recipe cards on your computer. They also have labels that you can use to decorate your packages and mail them. If you need help doing this avery.com has templates that you can download to make it easier. This year I am just going to tell my friends to check out my blog to find the recipes (aka free site marketing).

If you are really in a pinch this holiday season and want to spread good baking cheer check out Bake Me A Wish. The site has a wide variety of cakes (including cheesecakes) that you can send to others. And 5% of your order goes to the Make a Wish foundation. Treat for someone you love and for a child. Now that is the reason for the season!

Pecan Fingers - Let the Holiday Baking Begin!

I feel it is time. The first snow has fallen, the radio stations are playing the holiday tunes and the lights (and now inflatable) decorations are out. Time to get my Fa la la on and get baking for the holidays. I bake year round but there is just something special about this time of year. I like to start early so everything is done to give out to my family and friends and I am less stressed. Wait, who am I kidding. I always just end up eating the early baking items and dashing at the end to whip up some more. This year (because of the blog) I am really trying to spend some time to make some items to give out to people this year. I can't say who because chances are they are reading this but let's just say if you want a chance to get some of the goods you better stay on Santa's (aka Baker Babe's) nice list.

Tonight I am making one of my favorites that comes from my mom via the church recipe book, Pecan Fingers with Orange Lemon Icing. Top reasons I love this recipe: 1. They are bar cookies so no shaping needed and if you like you can cut them really BIG. 2. It is an adult cookie that can be dressed up with different types of nuts or a splash of a little booze in the icing 3. They freeze really well. Enjoy!

Pecan Fingers with Orange Lemon Icing

3/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup powered sugar
1 1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
1 cup brown sugar
2 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon each baking powder, salt, vanilla
1 cup chopped pecans

Mix butter and powdered sugar. Blend in the 1 1/2 cup flour. Press evenly into an ungreased 9x13 baking pan. Bake 12-15 minutes at 350 degrees. Mix the remaining ingredients; spread over hot baked layer and bake 20 minutes longer.

Icing
1 1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tablespoons melted butter
3 Tablespoons orange juice
1 teaspoon lemon juice

Mix all ingredients until smooth and of spreading consistency. Spread cookies when warm.

Baking in Style - Clothing Options for your Kitchen

When I bake I make a mess, all over the counter, floor and me. But I haven't invested in an apron yet because I just haven't found something "cool" enough. Call me picky but if I am going to wear something I want it to at least be fun not your standard stiff over-large piece of plain color material. And don't get me started on white aprons. I have a feeling that it would only last me one baking session before I had to retire it to the basket of clothes that have stains that I may someday be able to get out (if God grants me a miracle). So since it is going to take me a little while to get my designer apron store up and running here are few choices that have appealed to me.

Domestic Goddess Wraps
My friend Michelle makes these and although it will only cover your bottom front half they look so darn cute and retro.

Jessie Steele Carmen Bib Aprons
Found this on Amazon. Looks like a stylish dress (with no back : ) Perfect in case fancy company is coming over. Goes well with my pearls.



Cafepress.com
If you have to do a white apron at least get a funny saying on it. This site has a ton of designs that people download on their own so you never know what you are going to find.

Kid's Chef Set
If they are going to be a pain in the kitchen helping you out at least make them cute looking. I fell in love with the little chef hat.