Fabulous Food

I didn't go overboard with the cooking this holiday season, but I wanted to share a few of my favorites - and all of them are easy so they're good everyday food. Sorry - I forgot to take any food pictures.

Salty, crispy pretzels, creamy caramel, sweet chocolate, nutty pecans - the perfect combination. Jo and I made these fabulous (and super-easy) candy creations from the post here from Angry Chicken. We made them early in the season for gifts and then we made them again because we gave away all of our first batches. These are so good and so easy - they may become a year-round treat.

Fresh Brussels sprouts braised in heavy cream. I love fresh Brussels sprouts and when I saw them in the grocery store last week I bought three pounds - just for me because no one else will eat them. I braised the first pound in heavy cream with the recipe from The New Best Recipe from the folks at Cook's Illustrated magazine. Heavenly! Even Jo liked them and she usually turns her nose up at all vegetables except corn.

And I saved the best for last. Raffy's Turkey Sausage and Chestnut Stuffing - as seen on Everyday Italian, my favorite Food Network show. This is chock full of everything I love. Sweet apples, tart apples, caramelized onions, a splash of white wine to deglaze the pan. Off to a delicious start! Add dried cranberries and yummy roasted chestnuts, cornbread, and sweet Italian sausage. I love the smell of the fennel seed when the sausage hits the hot pan. Toss in a couple of pinches of red pepper flakes for warmth, and a handful of Parmesan (because everything is better with Parmesan) and you have one very tasty dish. I want to make this one all winter, but I know my grocery store will stop selling chestnuts soon. Maybe I could try pecans instead? I'll have to experiment. . .