Tag Archives: holiday

Tis the Season!! Gift Idea For the Man in Your Life (or… YOU!) | Jord Wood Watch

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Tis the season to think about what to buy for the men in your lives!  YIKES, right??!!

I think men are the hardest to shop for!  Am I right?!!  They buy the electronics, sportswear, etc that they want for themselves, and leave you thinking….um…?

So, you are left to think outside of the box!

I’ve done some creative shopping in the past.

(I miiiight have time to post those at some point, but..no time for that right now-SORRY!)

Honestly, I usually try and find some clothing or accessories that “they”  (I’m saying they, because I struggle every year for my husband, the boys, and my dad!) might need, or they don’t think they need, but…they DO!!  HA-righ?!

I’ve mostly gotten lucky in the past…but I think my luck is running out…

When Jord reached out to me, I immediately thought, YES!  This is a great gift for the guy that has everything!

Functional, yet…totally different and cool!

A WOOD WATCH!! Oh, and the box that it comes in you will want to steal for yourself!

Ok, honestly, you will want to steal the watch for yourself too… Soooo maybe this is also a gift idea for YOU?!!  Because, if you are like me, when your significant other asks you what you want…you draw a blank!

  WHY IS THAT? UGH!  We are as bad as them!  Am I right?!!  I can NEVER think of ideas to give the Huz!  Or my parents!

Universal gift?

Yes, please… And then I had to get some pics with Maya… LOVE HER!!!

The particular watch that I’m wearing is The Reece Series in Golden Camphor & Khaki  , but, there are so many other amazing options to choose from!

AND…they’ve offered all of YOU 25% off ALL their amazing watch options by clicking here.

*** While this watch was given to me, all opinions are my own**

 

Orange and Star Anise Festive Cocktail

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Did you watch the Oscars this weekend? Dream of walking down the red carpet? Or simply prefer a sparkling cocktail and viewing party from the comfort of your own house? 🙂

If you love citrus but are not into those sweet syrupy cocktails, then this refreshing cocktail is just for you! Garnish with some pieces of star anise for a festive touch!

Oscars, garden party, holiday party or whatever.. cheers!

orange bourbon anise cocktail blog

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh squeezed blood orange juice
  • 1/2 lime, squeezed
  • 2 oz. Cointreau or Absolut Mandarin Vodka (OR bourbon if that is your thing! Takes this cocktail in a different direction, but is definitely palatable.. again.. you kind of have to like the flavor of bourbon)
  • 1/4 cup sparkling water
  • Orange slices, for garnish
  • 4 pieces star anise (optional)

Directions

  • Combine juice, vodka, water and divide between two ice filled glasses
  • Garnish with orange and star anise
  • Cheers!

dit-elle-Esther

Pomegranate

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Pomegranates.. what a sweet and juicy and beautiful fruit. Each seed is like a small sparkling ruby. Pomegranates are supposed to be a super food (remember the pomegranate juice craze?), but we think they are just delicious as is and love adding them to all sorts of recipes when the fruit is available.. usually winter season. I add the seeds to drinks (see my New Years Pomegranate Champagne Cocktail here), salads, yogurt, as garnish to oatmeal or cereal for the kids, in fruit salad, or just.. plain!

When I was in Barcelona a few months ago, a restaurant I visited one day served pomegranate seeds in a small oval bowl for dessert. I also learned from a friend that in Persia they sprinkle a little salt on the seeds before eating.. sound a little odd? Try it! Delicious!

pomagranate blog (2) pomagranate blog (1)

dit-elle-Esther

Marzipan Cookies

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Marzipan Cookies are awesome because they are slightly less rich than pure marzipan, use only three ingredients, and are chewy and delicious!

marzipan cookies (3) marzipan cookies (2) marzipan cookies (1)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/3 – 1 1/2 cups almond meal
  • 2/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 3 egg whites
  • whole raw almonds (optional)

Directions

  • In food processor mix almond meal and sugar
  • Add egg whites until a stiff dough forms
  • Remove from food processor and knead with a little almond meal as needed so that a workable dough forms
  • Shape 1″ diameter balls and press down on cookie sheet with an almond in the middle if desired
  • Bake at 350 for ~12 minutes or until edges just start to turn golden
  • These store very well in an airtight container in freezer for a few weeks!

dit-elle-Esther

Marzipan Chocolate Miniature Sandwiches

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I grew up making marzipan, but just last year discovered the secret ingredient to marzipan perfection.. rose water! See the recipe here. This year I made tiny Marzipan “sandwiches” for a holiday party. You roll a bit of marzipan into a ball and press two discs of chocolate to make the sandwich. I found dark chocolate ‘discs’ at the local gourmet foods grocery store, but chocolate coins could work well too! Because the marzipan is quite sweet, the less sweet dark chocolate is a nice complement!

I made these for Christmas, but marzipan is popular year round in Scandinavia and Germany (especially again around Easter).

marzipan chocolate sandwich blog (4) marzipan chocolate sandwich blog (3) marzipan chocolate sandwich blog (2) marzipan chocolate sandwich blog (1)

Ingredients

  • One batch of Marzipan (you can also find this pre-made at some grocery stores.. look for almond paste if not marzipan)
  • Chocolate ‘discs’ (dark chocolate, should be around 1″ in diameter)

Directions

  • Roll a bit of marzipan into a ball (the size of a large marble) and press two discs of chocolate to make the sandwich.
  • Store in an air tight container and refrigerated for a week or more, or frozen for a month or so!

Super Mom Tip: Marzipan has the consistency of play dough and is a lot of fun for (older) kids to roll into various shapes and cut out with small cookie cutters, or decorate with chocolate chips!

Enjoy!

dit-elle-Esther

Rosemary Almonds

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Earlier this week I published Spicy Maple Glazed Nuts. Enjoy the more savory notes of the rosemary almonds, below!

rosemary almonds blog (2) rosemary almonds blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups raw almonds
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp finely chopped rosemary
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions

  • Heat oven to 350*
  • In a bowl, combine almonds, syrup, rosemary and salt
  • Transfer to a baking sheet and bake until toasted and golden brown, about 10 minutes

dit-elle-Esther

Spicy Maple Glazed Nuts

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Nothing fills the house with the comforting warmth of holiday cheer like toasted nuts.

I made a bunch of new dishes over the Christmas holiday that I will post here in the next few weeks. Related posts include Rosemary Almonds and Spiced Honey Almonds!

These Spicy Maple Glazed Nuts are wonderfully delicious – sweet, salty and a little spicy! A great holiday treat, but really.. who doesn’t like glazed nuts any time a year? Great for gifts, taking to parties, as an appetizer with cheese, meat and fresh fruit perhaps, or a simple dessert!

spicy candied nuts blog (2) spicy candied nuts blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter
  • 1/3 cup pure maple syrup
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder or 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (I used 1 tsp cayenne and it was perfectly spicy.. for my taste, but keep in mind a little goes a long way. If you are sensitive to spice, just omit this ingredient!)
  • 4 cups shelled nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios, pecans)
  • 3 tablespoons turbinado or muscovado sugar

Directions

  • Preheat oven to 250° F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • In a large saucepan combine butter, syrup, water, salt, cinnamon and chili powder. Bring to a boil, whisking constantly. Remove from heat, then mix in nuts and stir to coat evenly.
  • Spread nuts in a single layer on the baking sheet. Sprinkle with turbinado sugar. Bake 30 to 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes (I forgot this part and the nuts were fine!).
  • Spread on waxed or parchment paper to cool.
  • Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Thanks PCC Natural Markets!

dit-elle-Esther

Pomegranate Champagne for New Years Festivities!

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Join in a toast, make a wish, and happy 2016!!!!!

This festive cocktail is simply made using champagne or prosecco, pomegranate juice, pomegranate seeds as garnish and ice! Cheers! 🙂

pomagranate champagne new years blog

Drink shown with Christmas tree in background creating the effect of lit ‘baubles’.

Ingredients

  • Champagne or Prosecco or something else that is bubbly
  • Pomegranate juice
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Ice

Directions

  • Fill glasses with ice, a splash of pomegranate juice and seeds, and top with champagne or sparkling water
  • Cheers!

 

dit-elle-Esther

Spiced Coffee

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Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, except for mommy wrapping presents..!
And she needed some coffee!

Not really. But maybe. It certainly will be a good Christmas breakfast drink tomorrow morning. Coffee, spices, hot milk and some optional whipped cream on top. This is delicious. Enjoy!

spiced coffee blog (3) spiced coffee blog (2) spiced coffee blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup fresh ground coffee
  • 2 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 Tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1-2 cups milk (cows, almond, coconut, or other)

Directions

  • In a coffee filter, add coffee, cardamom, honey, cinnamon and nutmeg
  • Mix gently to combine
  • Add water to coffeemaker and brew
  • Heat milk until just steaming
  • Pour coffee into mug and top with desired amount of milk
  • Optionally serve with some fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon and a cinnamon stick
  • Cheers and Merry Christmas, happy holidays!

dit-elle-Esther

Pistachio Cherry Bark

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Chocolate bark is a lovely and festive holiday treat! This was my first batch and it was easy to make and as delicious as it looks. I used crushed pistachios and pecans, dried cherries, toasted coconut and sea salt to top melted dark chocolate – make this for an easy dessert, hostess gift or party favor! 🙂

Pistachio Cherry Bark blog (4) Pistachio Cherry Bark blog (3)  Pistachio Cherry Bark blog (2) Pistachio Cherry Bark blog (1)

Ingredients

  • 5 oz dark chocolate (e.g. 65-70% cacao), roughly chopped
  • 2 tsp coconut oil
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • Parchment paper
  • 3 Tbsp crushed pistachios
  • 3 Tbsp crushed pecans
  • 3 Tbsp toasted coconut flakes
  • 3 Tbsp dried cherries, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp coarse sea salt

Directions

  • In a double boiler or heatproof bowl over simmering water, melt chocolate, coconut oil and syrup, stirring until just melted and smooth.
  • Pour onto baking sheet lined with parchment paper and spread with spatula until 1/4 inch thick.
  • Top with nuts, coconut flakes, cherries and salt
  • Freeze until set, about 3 hours
  • Remove and break into pieces
  • Serve chilled
  • Store in airtight container in cool place

dit-elle-Esther