Christmas is right around the corner, and just as Cakes and Cookies are an integral part of your X'mas celebrations, so is Eggnog! It is a sweetened drink made with milk, cream, sugar, beaten eggs and spices; Eggnog is extremely popular as a Christmas Drink, and you can customize it with alcoholic additions like brandy, rum, and whiskey. There's nothing like fresh homemade Eggnog - pure and pristine, made frothy and all whipped up using eggs, and topped with a generous serving of Whipped cream, this is indeed a perfectly warm and soothing drink for a White Christmas!

[Recipe & photo courtesy of Cocktail Times]

Ingredients
1 liter Maker's Mark bourbon
1 quart milk
1 quart heavy cream
2 dozen eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 pinch of cinnamon (optional)
a pinch of nutmeg - for garnish
whipped cream - for garnish
chocolate shavings (optional, for garnish)

Directions
Separate egg whites from egg yolks carefully using an Egg Separator.

Beat only the yolks in a bowl until creamy. Whip sugar into the yolks.

Beat the egg whites in a separate bowl until they stand in peaks, adding 1/2 cup additional sugar, if desired.

Now beat the yolks and bourbon together. Add whites to this mixture slowly, beating contantly to form a smooth cream. Then add the cream and milk to this mixture. Add cinnamon if you like, and garnish with a pinch of nutmeg.

Pour the Eggnog in Cappucino mugs, garnish with some chocolate shavings if you like, top with some whipped cream and enjoy this Christmas drink as you celebrate the holidays with your friends and family!

Related Recipes
Pomegranate Martini
Pumpkin & Gingerbread Cocktail
Perfect Chocolate Martini

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| christmas, cocktails

Though Cookies are the centerstage during Christmas, I personally prefer, cakes, especially when they come in the form of Brownies - the perfect way to indulge in decadent chocolate! But this brownie recipe is special, because it combined chocolate with the cherished holiday flavor of Peppermint, thanks to the pepperminty-oreo-type cookies that go into the brownie dough. Adding the perfect hint of mint flavor, its like baking a Ghirardelli or Starbucks in the form of a brownie! Fudgy, rich, intense, chocolaty, & pepperminty - what more could you ask from a Holiday Brownie recipe?!

[Recipe & photo courtesy of Mandy of Fresh from the Oven; original recipe via Baking Bites]

Ingredients
Makes about 36 brownie squares
1 cup butter
6 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
3 cups sugar
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp vanilla extract
4 large eggs, room temperature
1 2/3 cups all purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (I used Dutched Processed Cocoa)
3 cups roughly chopped peppermint oreo-type cookies (approx 18)

Method
Preheat oven to 350F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, and grease lightly.

In a medium-large saucepan over low heat, melt together butter and chocolate, stirring occasionally. Whisk in sugar, salt and vanilla, then turn off heat. Whisk in eggs one at a time, waiting until each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in flour and cocoa powder until mixture is uniform. Stir in peppermint oreo cookies and pour batter into prepared pan. Crush 3-4 additional cookies finely and sprinkle on top of batter, if desired.

Bake for about 35 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs, but not coated with batter.

Cool brownies in pan for about 20 minutes, then lift brownies in the foil out of the pan and place on a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Related Recipes
Chocolate Marshmallow Cookies
Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars
Chewy Espresso Brownies

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| brownies, chocolate, christmas, mini-desserts

Christmas, the most cherished holiday in most parts of the world is right around the corner, and its time to start settings things in order, especially in your kitchen, if you have a family reunion planned next week! While everyone remembers to get new china, tablecloths and silverware, its the essential kitchen supplies that need to be ticked off. YOu can be a great cook, but if you don't have the right utensils to cook in, or the perfect bowls to serve your delicacies, it just won't be all that great. From pots and pans to large serving bowls, get a headstart on whether you have all you need to cook, serve and relish, in style, this holiday season!

Here's a list of a few things you need to check off to make sure you are all set to entertain in style. Most of us like to keep our best stuff wrapped in paper and protected in the attic. But holidays are times to get them down and show them off.

Baking & Cookware
As baking is a primary activity during the holidays, its imperative to make sure you have all the tools and kitchen bake-ware to make your baking as stress-free as possible. In fact, a simple search online will get you several kitchen equipment discounts including cookie sheets, cake pans, measuring spoons, muffins cups, cutters, scrapers, chafers and more! Make sure you have different cookie-cutters for all your fancy Christmas cookies, and also some fancy serving trays & tableware to serve those in! And don't forget your big pots and pans, enough to cook for a large family, and also giant crockpots and bundt-pans, as no holiday is complete without a large pound cake, right?!

Tableware and Cutlery
This is the time to flaunt your style, and though traditional tableware will never go out of fashion, feel free to experiment with colors and designs that you like. Just make sure you create a matched even look with whatever you choose. For a more traditional look, try tablecloths in vivid reds, greens or royal pinks, and go for white china, with matching silverware. If you have a really large group at the table, you can even mix-and-match two different dinner sets and create a unique yet colorful and festive ambience. And don't forget the aromatic candles - they are a must to create the ethereal mood!

Drink and Dessertware
No meal is complete without a serving of cake, some fruits, some wine o champagne, and a cup of your favorite cappucino! Use co-ordinated serving plates or bowls for your desserts; individual pieces go much better than large portions. And using gold-rimmed goblets for serving your wine go a long way in enhancing the flavor and value of your wine, while christmassy glasses give a rich color to your cocktails.

Holidays and festive occasions are the only time when people forget the differences and come together to enjoy and celebrate, and unite in a way the fast-paced life doesn't allow you to do very often. It is also a time to be creative, indulge a little, and impress your friends and family in style, and for all our special readers, we also have a special 8-11% discount coupon (use "club128" at checkout) for those interested in getting any restaurant supplies and equipment this holiday season.

So as christmas comes closer, take this time to make your holiday check-list, especially for the kitchen, so you and your family can celebrate a holiday that everyone will remember, for years to come!

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| entertaining, holidays

Homemade Granola Bars are the perfect way to fill yourself up with some sincerely good food, and save a bunch of money this tight economic season! Granola generally consists of a mixture of rolled oats, nuts, honey and sometimes rice, which is baked until crispy. Dried fruits, like raisins, dates, or berries are added to enhance flavor and value - granola bars are indeed the best snack food to munch on, whether as a trail mix while hiking, or with your 4 o'clock tea! Try these delicious & extremely nutritive homemade granola bars and you'll never go for the store ones!

[Recipe & photo courtesy of Ashley from Eat Me Delicious]

Ingredients
1 cup pitted dates, finely chopped
1 cup dried apricots, finely chopped
1/2 cup + 2 tbsp apple juice
2 cups rolled oats
1 cup walnuts
1/2 cup flaxseed, ground
1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
pinch of sea salt
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 cup maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice (optional)

Method
Preheat oven to 375F and line a 9x9 (or 8x8) baking pan.

Place the dates, apricots and apple juice in a saucepan and bring a boil. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Uncover and mix well with a spoon to form a pulp.

Meanwhile, in a food processor combine walnuts and pumpkin seeds. Pulse into a "meal" (very finely chopped) but not so far it becomes a butter. Add rolled oats, sunflower seeds, ground flax seeds and sea salt.

In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining ingredients. Add this mixture to the oat mixture and stir to combine. Press half the oat mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan. Spread the fruit pulp evenly over top, then finish with the remaining oat mixture. Bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 25 minutes.

Allow to cool in the tin on a rack before slicing into squares. You can store these homemade granola bars in an air-tight container for about 10-12 days, in a cool, dry place. Enjoy as breakfast bars, or keep a few pieces handy for your mid-day cravings!

Related Recipes
Cranberry Pistachio Biscotti
Cherry Almond Spiced Scones
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| baked, breakfast, healthy, nuts

Out of all cookie recipes, I find that Thumbprint Cookies are easiest to make, and fun too! You can have tonnes of filling variations, from Jam to Peanut Butter to Chocolate, these can be adapted to suit any flavor preference and occasion. I have tried the normal ones before with hazelnut powder, but this time, for my Vegan version, I chose to go with walnuts instead, and the flavor was almost as good as the original! With a list of just 5 ingredients, these Jam Thumbprint cookies are easy to bake, and can be festive as well as delicious!

The first step in making Vegan Cookies is trying to substitute regular cookie ingredients with vegan alternatives. In my case, I just needed to replace the butter. I considered using canola oil, but I was not sure if its great for cookies, so I searched for other options in the market. I found Earth Balance Organic Butter to be the preferred choice. It tastes pretty normal, and is spreadable, just like regular butter. It is a little expensive though, but considering that its a healthier alternative to other options, I went for using this in my recipe. I found that the cookies were a little hard in texture than normal butter cookies, but the taste was great! These cookies go to Suganya's Vegan Ventures - Round 2!

Update: I just noticed that these would be great for the current edition of Eat Christmas Cookies event hosted by Susan at Foodblogga, and also to Tasty treats for the Santa's Holiday Challenge!

Ingredients
Makes about 18-20 cookies

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup ground walnuts
4 oz Earth Balance Vegan Butter - at room temperature
*** you can use regular butter for a non-vegan recipe
1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup mixed-fruit jam (or any other of your choice)

Method
Preheat your oven to 350 deg F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a bowl, cream butter with sugar until light and fluffy, about 7-8 mins.

In another bowl, whisk together the flour and ground walnuts and add to the creamed butter mixture. Mix until well combined to form a soft dough. Do not knead a lot as this can get pretty sticky. Use some all-purpose flour for dusting.

Now refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes. This makes is easier to shape the cookies.

Take a teaspoonful of dough in your hand, form a small ball, and press lightly in the center with your finger to make a shallow hole (use light pressure with your thumb or index finger)

Arrange the cookies on the baking trays, 2 inches apart. Leave enough space as they will spread a bit as they bake. Bake for 15 minutes, until the edges are slightly colored and the cookies look firm.

Let the cookies cool completely on a wire rack, then fill the holes with your favorite jam.

These Thumbprint Jam Cookies are pretty to look at, easy to make and delicious to eat, and indeed a perfect vegan treat!

Related Recipes:
Pecan Pie Cookies
Coffee & Almond Biscotti
Cranberry Pistachio Holiday Biscotti

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| baked, christmas, cookies, eggless, nuts, vegan