I’m not great at making cakes. It is definitely one area that I need work. Traditional frosting methods seem to allude me and in this case, my electric hand mixer also quit on me in the midst of making the vanilla frosting so I had to whip it by hand, so I went with more of a “naked” cake style, it order to actually get it done in time for annual cake day. I think it’s a little crooked too. Taste = good, a beautiful vision = maybe not.
Have you ever seen those Mini Brie Bites in the store (most regular stores seem to to carry them now, as does Trader Joes) and wondered what to do with them — I mean, besides just eating them in two bites? Well, this is one idea — Mini-brie Puffs. Absolutely phenomenal warm appetizer. If you keep caramelized onions at the ready (which I do), these come together in under an hour and make a lasting impression. Even if you can’t find mini-bries, you can just cut a wedge to pieces and use those instead. Definitely keeping these ingredients at the ready in case anyone pops in.
Hand pies or Pasties are one of my favorite things — Quite easy to make, delicious fresh, but also freeze well. One is great as a snack, two is great for lunch. I often have a number of different kinds in the freezer, but these potato leek and cheddar ones are pretty close to being my favorite. Make sure to seal them well, otherwise the filling goes everywhere but staying inside.
In Spain, there is a good luck tradition, that at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, you eat twelve grapes, one each as the church bells chime. This is actually no small feat, and I’ve managed to nearly choke on a grape or two. This year, I decided to riff slightly on the Doce Uvas de la Suerte tradition, by making this Twelve Grapes Cake so instead of wolfing down the grapes, you can enjoy a piece of cake instead. Happy New Year!
Every wonder why we put coins in “Piggy Banks” for savings? Historically, there was the notion of “Prosperity Pigs”, that the pig symbolized wealth, prosperity and luck, and putting a little something away for savings can never hurt. In Germany, the pig still has a place for luck (“Glücksschwein” — Lucky Pig) and often around New Year’s you see little marzipan pigs adorning sweets. Along that theme, I made some very vanilla-y Piggy “Lucky” Cookies, to help ring in the new year 2024.