1. On My Mind:
All. Things. COOKIE.
I’m reviving my annual cookie & appetizer exchange this year, and frankly, I couldn’t be more excited. My mother and I used to host it annually, but as life changed for us and our attendees, it fell by the wayside – a true shame given how much everyone enjoyed it. It was a ‘Ladies Only’ affair where we gossiped for hours and hours into the night over a potluck buffet of appetizers and cookies of all kinds. There was (responsibly consumed) wine, there was laughter, and there were memories.
This year things look a bit different. The general structure is the same (one appetizer and 2 dozen cookies per attendee), but we have male participation, and it’s become a late-afternoon soiree: perfectly timed for 3 ‘O Clock munchies with the promise of wrapping in time to spend a cozy evening at home enjoying the spoils of the exchange. Further, we’ve all agreed that sharing food and a fun time together will be our collective Christmas gift to ourselves and each other, replacing the gift-buying pressure with decision paralysis over what to make – which is, in my opinion, a much worthy use of cortisol and, if I’m being transparent and honest, money. As the host, I’m doubling down on apps and cookies, have procured adorable containers for my fellow swappers to fill, and did I mention I’m excited?
Here's what I’m planning to contribute:
Apps:
-A white flatbread pizza (ricotta + mozzarella + parmesan + lots of olive oil and black pepper)
-A classic Italian antipasto, featuring dried salami and prosciutto, marinated mozzarella, aged provolone, roasted peppers, bruschetta, olives, everything bagel biscotti, crusty bread, and baby gem leaves for serving
-Twice-baked seasoned potato chips and a quick yogurt-based dip situation
Cookies:
-Cookie butter thumbprints (←two links here - the butter and the base)
-Spicy ginger brown sugar cookies (that recipe with a hefty dose of gingerbread spice)
It’s ambitious, but with three of four cookies already in frozen dough stage, it feels more manageable. Or so I tell myself now!
Regardless, it’s about getting great people together over good eats for a grand ol’ time, and no matter what happens or what hits the table, I’m sure it’ll be a whole lotta holiday fun.
What’s on your cookie menu this year? Any (quick n’easy) appetizers that you like to make for the holidays (or any day)?
2.On My Counter:
Samplings of a few cookie boxes that I made and gave earlier this weekend ← aka my favorite thing to do and truly a gift to me to deliver sweets and seasonal greetings!
My boxes had (clockwise, from top left): Brown sugar cookies, raspberry rugelach, cranberry orange biscotti, sugar cookie truffles, and a big pile of cookies n’cream peppermint bark in the middle!
3. On Poppa Carnivore’s Menu
T: Steak fingers and salad (a mix of whatever dark greens are left from the market with a quick toss in vinaigrette (olive oil + vinegar + salt + pepper + sliced leeks + dijon mustard)
W: Sausage, bean, and pasta stew
H: Baked cod with smashed potatoes
F: Ground beef (or mushroom!) stroganoff
4.Onto the Finale:
Cookie persona
Cookie storage
Cookie discourse
5. Off the Cuff:
Because I’m also planning a hot chocolate bar for my work holiday party, I have to ask…
What’s your favorite hot chocolate mix-in? Or are you a purist?
Favorite hot chocolate mix in = more chocolate 😅