Spiced Up!

Every year after Thanksgiving, things just start to feel more festive and the world seems to burst with holiday cheer. Where this goodwill and jubilance goes during the summer, fall and bitter winter days I haven't a clue, but for a brief month, everything is white snow and happiness. So how to celebrate as a foodie? Spices! Think of every food as a vessel into which will be inserted the essence of Holiday cheer... ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves... suddenly a simple biscuit becomes a manifestation of merriment. Here, I'll start you off. Use this simple recipe and go to town... or Grandmother's house...

Ingredients

(makes 12 biscuits)

2 1/2 cups all purpose unbleached flour

1/2 cup organic pastry flour

2 tablespoons cane sugar

2 tablespoons honey

3 teaspoons baking powder

Pinch of salt (about 1/2 a teaspoon)

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 stick room temperature unsalted butter cut into cubes

1 1/2 cups buttermilk

A few tablespoons of heavy whipping cream (can substitute with milk) for brushing

Directions

Preheat oven to 425F

1.Sift together flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt

2.Blend in butter with fingers until mixture resembles coarse meal

3. Add buttermilk and mix gently until a soft dough forms

4. Roll out onto floured surface and cut with knife into rectangle that is about 1.5in high. Cut rectangle in half lengthwise, then into thirds width-wise until you have 12 biscuits.

5. Place on greased baking sheet and brush tops with cream (or milk)

6. Cook 10 minutes or until tops are a lovely golden brown

(Recipe adapted from Epicurious.com)

NOW......

Before you add the cut in butter, feel free to try any of these holiday-inspired additions in any combination desired (mix them in with the cane sugar then add both to the dry ingredient bowl):

2 tablespoons ground ginger

2 tablespoons cinnamon

2 tablespoons nutmeg

2 tablespoons cracked pepper

Have more ideas for holiday goodness? Add them in the comments section, we love hearing from you!

Xo and Ho Ho Ho

Eggplant Spaghetti!

Hey everyone. I know, I know, have taken too long of a hiatus from this blog! For now, to tide you over, this is my take on a low-carb spaghetti dish, behold.... Eggplant Spaghetti!

Ingredients

1 Eggplant - Peeled and cut THIN (1/2-1/4inch) lengthewise then cut into long strips of "spaghetti"

4-5 cloves garlic

1/4-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Fresh basil - rough chopped

1/2 Jar marinara sauce

1/2 cup parmigiana sauce

1/3 cup mozzarella cheese - large dice

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

Salt and pepper as desired

Directions

1. On medium high heat, sautee olive oil and garlic until you can smell the garlic aromas

2. Add in eggplant "spaghetti" and cook until transparent, stirring often

3. Add 1/4 cup parmigiana cheese, mozzarella and fresh basil and cook 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to desired amount (must be done after addition of parmigiana cheese, it's salty in itself!)

4. Melt in butter and stir until mixed through.

5. Add Marinara sauce and cook another 2 minutes in pan. Transfer to bowl, sprinkle with rest of parmigiana cheese and garnish with a few leaves of fresh basil and ENJOY!

Xo