Welcome to my Blog! Here you will find chronicles of my day to day life as a Chef. In it you will find pictures from my travels, read anecdotally about my dreams and aspirations, share my excitement on the discovery of a new (to me) recipe, tool or technique, as well as my trials and tribulations as a new entrepreneur, and anything else that strikes me as interesting, odd or just plain cool.

2016 Christmas Cookie #11 – Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies

I really have a soft spot for sugar cookies, but not the crispy kind, I like them soft and chewy. Don’t get me wrong, if they are the crispy kind, I just need some coffee to dunk them in and then I’m fine – yes, I’m a dunker. But when I get them like this, [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #11 – Soft Sour Cream Sugar Cookies2021-11-21T17:14:09-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #10 – Chocolate Christmas Cookie

Okay, it’s a couple of (maybe one) day left for Christmas. I have two cookies left to meet my 12 cookies objective. You know as an ex-banker it’s all about meeting targets! So I came across this recipe from the LA Times, a contest winner by Deborah Pappalau, which I just knew I had to make when [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #10 – Chocolate Christmas Cookie2021-11-21T17:14:18-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #9 – Triple Ginger Sandwich Cookies

For this cookie (and really any spice cookie) you need the freshest spices. If your spices have been sitting around for a while – lets say for one year or so, then toss them and pick up some new ones. Small quantities only, remember it’s only a bargain if it gets used. This is nice dough [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #9 – Triple Ginger Sandwich Cookies2021-11-21T17:14:29-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #8 – Bourbon Chocolate Balls

These are a favorite of mine. Mainly because I always have cake scraps in my freezer that can be used as the base. The latest came from experimenting with various sizes of cake tins – you can’t just double a cake recipe, baking is a science. It’s balance that causes a cake to rise. Some [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #8 – Bourbon Chocolate Balls2021-11-21T17:14:39-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #7 – Twice Baked Shortbread

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. There are some recipes that just by reading them you can tell you have a winner. This is another one of those. I’ve adapted it from Alice Medrich’s Pure Dessert cookbook. Her technique of letting the dough rest in the pan for at least two hours [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #7 – Twice Baked Shortbread2021-11-21T17:14:50-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #6 – Spiced Date, Nut and Cheese Palmiers

Ah, cold butter, flour and ice water to bring it all together, just a pinch of salt, and yes that’s the recipe for puff pastry. That most favored, sought after and versatile of dough’s. I’m a big fan of this and when you have the time to sit around waiting for layers to form really [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #6 – Spiced Date, Nut and Cheese Palmiers2021-11-21T17:15:00-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #5 – Triple Chocolate Brownie Bites

Here’s why I like this recipe. It is Christmas time, the holiday season; you are running around trying to make everything perfect for the big day. Family, good friends, food and spirits, and a time to reflect on the wonder of being able to wake up every morning and embrace the day! So, do you [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #5 – Triple Chocolate Brownie Bites2021-11-21T17:15:13-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #4 – Bakewell Biscotti

I knew when I read this recipe that it would make a nice transition from some of the savory cookie recipes I’ve given you. This is Bakewell Biscotti, a Dominique Ansell inspired treat. A biscotti sandwich with a very decadent filling – almond cream and sweet jam – in my case genuine East Coast Partridgeberry [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #4 – Bakewell Biscotti2021-11-21T17:15:23-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #3 – Cinnamon, Pepper and Sea Salt Cookies

Wow... where is the time going? It's already the 10th and only Christmas Cookie #3. But don't panic, we had some unusual surprises recently and the sun still rises and sets daily (where I am) and time goes on. That said, I present Cinnamon, Pepper and Sea Salt cookies. Modified from a blog called “A [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #3 – Cinnamon, Pepper and Sea Salt Cookies2021-11-21T17:15:33-05:00

2016 Christmas Cookie #2 – Roasted Garlic and Cayenne Cookies

Okay, I did say that the cookies will be interesting didn’t I?! You must make this cookie as an addition to your sweet table. It sounds odd, but when you start making it, you will realize it is absolutely delightful. The aromas from the roasted garlic as it is mixing with the sugar and butter just [...]

2016 Christmas Cookie #2 – Roasted Garlic and Cayenne Cookies2021-11-21T17:15:46-05:00
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