Chestnuts roasting on an open fire. I guess Nat King Cole and Bing Crosby have made chestnuts part of the holiday season for ever. I never really knew what that line was all about until my first holiday season in London, where vendors sell roasting chestnuts from special carts on the main shopping streets, and the fragrance they produce really does make the air smell like … [Read more...] about Roasted Chestnut Bisque
Holiday Cooking
Jezebel Jelly
When I started to think about recipes to share for the holiday season, I had a sudden, overwhelming memory of Jezebel Jelly. I would never have put it on my list of stand-out memories, but it popped into my mind quicker than lightening and that I could not ignore. Jezebel Jelly is a quickly made tangy condiment that seemed to have a real heyday when I was a kid. At every … [Read more...] about Jezebel Jelly
Bourbon Rosemary Pecans
I love a flavorful toasted nut, but I have always found it difficult to get enough flavor into nuts without burning them, or the seasonings just fall right off. My solution has become to soak the nuts in a flavorful liquid then toast them until perfect. My Lemon Garlic Cashews were my first foray into this method, and these salty-sweet bourbon soaked pecans are … [Read more...] about Bourbon Rosemary Pecans
Sweet Potato Cobbler
I’m going to go all Southern on you again with this delicious, old-fashioned, homey dessert perfect for the autumn table. I’m not, however, going to get into a discussion on what exactly a cobbler is – biscuit top, crumble top, pastry top, whatever. This is how I make cobbler, and that’s good enough for me. But really, is there any more comforting dessert than a cobbler, … [Read more...] about Sweet Potato Cobbler
Autumn Sangria
It’s always nice to have a special something to welcome your guests. And on a day like Thanksgiving, with lots of family and lots of work and lots of noise and lots of food, it helps if that little something special involves wine. The idea of making sangria with dried fruit and sparkling soda came from friend whose family is from Nicaragua. She brought a summer version to … [Read more...] about Autumn Sangria
