Notes & Info

Christmas 2017

Served 9 people total. Positive reviews on everything, both for presentation, elegance, and taste. Dinner served at 6:00 pm on December 23. Breakfast served at 9:30 am on December 24. Breakfast Started morning prep at 7:30 am, with 1 – 2 helpers at all times. Very manageable. Frozen potatoes and frozen ham set out the […]

Chocolate and Puff Pastry Christmas Tree

1 pound puff pastry 50 grams chocolate nut spread (I used Trader Joe’s Chocolate Almond Spread) 1 egg yolk 2 tbsp powdered sugar Roll out two sheets of puff pastry (each about 245 grams, or just over 8 ounces), each to approximately 9 inches wide and 11 inches long. Using a template made from letter […]

Butterscotch Sauce

4 tbsp butter 1 cup dark brown sugar 1/2 cup half & half pinch of salt 1 tbsp vanilla extract Compare with Extra Quick Caramel Sauce. Melt the butter in the microwave, in a 1-quart bowl or Pyrex measuring cup. Add the sugar and salt; whisk well. Add the half & half bit by bit, […]

Sweet Potato Hash

2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes (or use half Yukon Gold potatoes) 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1/4 cup green onions 2 tsp smoked paprika salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley Add the potatoes to a large saucepan of salted boiling […]

Plum Tart

3/4 cup sugar ½ cup unsalted butter, softened 1 cup unbleached or whole-wheat pastry flour 1 tsp baking powder Pinch of salt (optional) 2 eggs 20 halves pitted purple plums 2 tbsp brown sugar grated rind and juice of 1/2 lemon 1/2 tsp cinnamon Heat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9-inch springform pan. Combine […]