Holidays...

It is the time of year that everyone starts to shout about family time, being thankful, being generous and kind…yada yada yada.

I know that those are all good things, but why do we wait until the end of the year to start pontificating about what we should be doing all year long? It is human nature to start reminiscing at certain milestones and it is my opinion that as we reflect on the past year we think about our regrets and shortcomings throughout the first 11 months and we want to make up for it with peace on Earth and stuff like that.

Don’t get me wrong, I want peace on Earth, but I want it all year. I am not perfect. I have issues with bad drivers, and people who don’t say thank you when you hold the door for them, I cuss (a lot, man do I love cussing), and have a million other things that I can improve upon. My point is that I am working on those daily and not waiting until the end of the year, the winter solstice, the new year, etc. to make a change. I am starting with the man in the mirror… (props to the king of pop). So continue to give to charity and help your fellow man. It is as simple as a smile to the homeless person on the corner or taking someone’s grocery basket back to the store for them. Gestures do not have to be grandiose to be effective; you just have to start somewhere.

So bake some cookies and take them to someone who could use a treat, then sit and have a cup of coffee and enjoy each other’s company and then do it again next month or two months from now. Don’t wait until next holiday season. Life is too short and you never know what lies ahead for you or the ones you love.

Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies (adapted from Claire Robinson’s version)

1 cup natural peanut butter
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
Coarse sea salt, for sprinkling

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and place the racks in the upper and lower third of the oven.

In a medium bowl, mix the peanut butter, sugar, vanilla and egg until well combined. Spoon 1 tablespoon of the mixture about 1 inch apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Flatten the mounds with the tines of a fork, making a crosshatch pattern on the cookies. Sprinkle coarse salt on top of the cookies.

Bake until golden around the edges, about 10 minutes, switching the position of the sheets halfway through baking. Transfer to racks to cool. Repeat with the remaining dough

I wish you all many blessings now and in the coming year.

Trace

Holidays in the kitchen...

Thanksgiving is over and I am assuming that everyone has recovered from their food coma... No? Well get ready, because now we have to contend with holiday parties, cookie exchanges, and still more holiday dinners.

Man, do we love to eat... I love the excitement of trying something new, as well as the feeling I get when I introduce a new food to a friend.

I, however, do not love the way I tend to overextend my belt, during this season... I mean that in the best possible way, but temptation is everywhere.

Fudge, cookies, cider, hot chocolate, turkey, ham, potatoes, rolls, and the hits just keep coming. 

How do you maintain a healthy relationship with food during this crazy time?

Relax! Do not associate food with love, friendship, respect, etc. Food is still fuel. Go out, have fun, get together to see each other and make sure we appreciate our friends and family, but it does not have to include bad food.

Have a treat, indulge your sweet tooth, but be aware of what you are putting into your gas tank (for some of us that is a little too accurate).

OMG... You over did it during the holidays???? How could you? Off with your head!

But seriously folks... What would happen? You put on a pound or two? I am sure it will be fine. Enjoy your holidays, don't fret too much and make choices going forward that you can accept.

Here are a couple holiday indulgences that are quick and easy:

3-2-1 Cake (This recipe is perfect for the office)

3 eggs

2 cups sour cream

1 cake mix

Mix all together and pour into an oiled/floured microwaveable bundt pan.

Microwave on a turn table for 15 minutes and remove from the microwave.

Cover the pan with a sturdy plate and let it rest for 5-10 minutes.

Turn the cake and plate over and the cake should come right out.

Garnish with whipped cream, fruit, chocolate syrup, etc. Enjoy

Primal friendly Grok rocks! (courtesy of Mark’s Daily Apple)

60% cacao Ghirardelli chocolate chips (this are very rich, dark chocolate)

Dried plums, (prunes) cut in half

Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl in 30 second intervals (stirring every time) until melted.

Dip plums in the chocolate and place on parchment to cool.

These sound a little weird, but they are amazing. They are a decadent candy with two ingredients.

Now go celebrate! See you next year, unless the Mayans were right...

Connect with me at www.facebook.com/cookingwithtrace, or at www.cookingwithtrace.com

Happy holidays!

Cranberry Salsa

 I love the fact that my friends know that I dig food. So they send me their ideas, their musings, and most importantly their recipes.  This is one of those times.

Brendan sent me a quick note about cranberry salsa. I have never heard of it, and it is such a simple recipe I could not wait to try it.

Ingredients:

1 package fresh cranberries
1/2 cup sugar
1 bunch cilantro
1 bunch green onions
juice from 1 fresh lime
1 4 oz can chopped chilies

Process cranberries in food processor with sugar and lime juice, chop cilantro and onions,

mix everything together and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

Of  course I couldn't wait 3 hours, so I had a quick bite and it was great. I hope everyone will like it tomorrow. 




Now go mix something..

Trace

Waffle biscuits?

I saw a post on Pinterest where they waffled canned cinnamon rolls, and I thought I 'can' do that! HA! 

See those delicious creations here:

http://ahensnest.com/2011/09/waffled-cinnamon-rolls-recipe.html

I had a can of biscuits in the frig and I grabbed my grandmas old waffle iron (very old and ugly, but I love every burn it gives me), and brushed with a little olive oil. I added four biscuits at a time and gently lowered the lid. 

About 2 minutes (or less) I pulled them off.

 

Drizzled with sugar free syrup, smeared with peanut butter, or sprinkled with cinnamon sugar, they are a tasty once in awhile treat.

 

I remember reading about the Wafflerizer.. http://www.waffleizer.com/ Check out what else you can do and start waffling like a policitian!

Go waffle something!