holidays

It’s the MOST wonderful time of the year….

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

…nope not Christmas.  Thanksgiving.  

Thanksgiving is my favourite holiday of all time of the whole year.  It’s not typically celebrated in Australia, but I love celebrating it.  This year is no different.  We (I) am hosting a Thanksgiving Potluck for a few American friends.  I’m doing the turkey and corn casserole (and mash potatoes)everyone is bringing side dishes so it should be quite the feast.  

I mean Thanksgiving is the purest holiday I can think of.  Every family does it differently, there’s no need for gifts, and everyone can celebrate it.  It’s truly an opportunity to come together and hang out and eat.  What could be better!!!???!!

It’s great to see it gradually seep into Australian life– mainly through Americans but it’s seeping in nonetheless.  I’m doing my part to spread it.  This week’s cookies are Pumpkin Chocolate Chip because, well, Thanksgiving.

What else is happening? Still enjoying my spring/summer break!   We are gearing up for Christmas and the big birthday in a few weeks.  I can’t believe my baby is turning 9!  And on that topic, we went out for a family dinner the other night at Ms G’s and I was MOST impressed!  He ate everything we ordered and loved every bit of it.  We didn’t even order special “kid” things and he even tried (multiple bites) of the steak tartare.  I was shocked and also quite pleased and impressed.

Also, I caught up with some girlfriends for brunch at Theeca and we tried Savoury Chocolate toast.  I didn’t know what to expect- sourdough, chocolate mousse, olive oil, sea salt.  Ummmm, possibly the best thing I’ve EVER eaten for breakfast.  Seriously, life changing in the best way possible.

This has been a weekend of excellent eating.  Not going to lie- from the Thanksgiving Pie Bake off on Friday, to trying the new burger place on Friday night to Ms Gs last night and breakfast this morning at Theeca.  It’s been a weekend full of good food and great friends– no better way to kick off Thanksgiving week!

Rum Balls and Gingerbread

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

The festive season is here!!!! Yes, December is officially upon us and Santa is nearly here- and I’m tired already. Something about having a child born 5 days before Christmas makes this season HECTIC.

So I didn’t bake this week- I blame the (nearly) 8 year old and his birthday party- but it could also be that the week before I went ALL out. I made Gingerbread Latte Cookies , Gingerbread Snickerdoodles and Rum Balls (no link but I did combine a US recipe and 2 Australian ones- here and here!) So this week to be honest, I didn’t bake at all… BUT I did make Rum balls AGAIN!

And I’m a Rum Ball convert. I was never a big fan of them- possibly because I wasn’t allowed to eat them as a kid… they have actual rum in them! But I LOVE them now. They’re easy to make (although in the Aussie heat they take a bit of logistical planning) and they’re tasty. Plus I feel SUPER festive when I make them- and because they don’t bake, they’re great for a summer treat. I can see why they’re a festive favorite!

Stay tuned to see what we bake this week- will we do Christmas cookies or just have a break and focus on Christmas dinner? We’ll see!

Happy Thanksgivng Y’all

~ stephzuniga ~ Leave a comment

It shouldn’t be a suprise that Thanksgiving is one of my all time favourite holidays. Food, family, friends, and football. What else could you ask for? Other than family, Thanksgiving is one of my favourite things about America. So this time of year, I’m always a bit sad to be here and not there.

And yes, tonight I am making a bit of traditional dinner. Corn Casserole, turkey, sweet potatoes, stuffing and this week, I’ve baked Thanksgiving cookies. Honestly, I’m not sure about them. They’ve gotten good reviews so far from the usual suspects but something about them just isn’t right.

Could it be that they have veggies in them or could it be that I’ve never heard of a Thanksgiving cookie before this week? Or was it just homesickness making me a bit sad that I’m eating Thanksgiving in cookie form rather than pie form? Either way- I’m not sure how I feel about them.

I mean on paper, they scream Thanksgiving. And no, they’re not turkey flavoured or even turkey shaped. But they don’t quite taste like Thanksgiving.

Can you guess the flavour?

I made two types- Pumpkin Chocolate Chip– using Libby’s Pumpkin, of course and Sweet Potato Pie cookies.

The Pumpkin Chocolate Chip ones are interesting- the texture is quite pillowy and soft. Not the standard cookie texture but I think that’s why people are liking them. And they don’t taste like what they are. I also don’t think that they have a big punch of flavour. Not sure if it’s the recipe or just that Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies are subtle. I mean I’m kind of happy they’re subtle because Aussies don’t always vibe with vegetable desserts (for good reason!). I’m not sure I’d make these again- not just because Libby’s canned pumpkin is expensive and hard to find in Australia, but they’re also just.not.a.vibe.

Sweet Potato Pie Cookies were different in a different way. They kind of were like Sweet Potato Casserole but in cookie form- because Marshmallows. And sugar. And cookies. These I would make again- but not all the time. Kind of like sweet potato pie casserole- and turkey. It’s fun once a year but not EVERY day.

So Happy Thanksgiving. I hope wherever you are, you’re with people that make you feel thankful and grateful and loved.

Click me! It’s Guinness Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

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Click me! It’s Guinness Milk Chocolate Ice Cream

And THIS is why I need the Ice Cream Maker attachment for my Kitchen Aid!  Seriously, I have less than two months to perfect the perfect St. Patrick’s Day Dessert…..  Thinking Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes with Jamesons ganache filling and Bailey’s Frosting, with Guinness Milk Chocolate Ice Cream on the side….. OMG…..I think there’s room for one more attachment in the cupboard….  

YUM!!!!!!!