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Category Archives: Holidays

A Crafty and Sweet Thank You for 2011

A Crafty and Sweet Thank You for 2011

The start of a new year is the moment when I reflect on the 12 months that have just passed (oh, so quickly!), and I like to identify the best things that happened to me over the past year. I believe firmly that my life is driven by each and every decision I make, every day. I rely on my intuition to make decisions and I try to analyse the outcome, be it positive or not. Understanding helps me hone my intuition skills, which helps me take better decisions. And so on.

Of course, I make mistakes, and of course, I take bad decisions sometimes. Some areas in my life have always given me a hard time (like budgeting, ahem!), but I try to keep working on them to get better. Because life is usually good at throwing curve balls, I never stop learning and can always count on being surprised.

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My Top 9 Quick and Easy, Savory and Sweet Last Minute Recipe Ideas

My Top 9 Quick and Easy, Savory and Sweet Last Minute Recipe Ideas

In the last crazy few hours before Christmas, last minute inspiration is always welcome, isn’t it? Many of the recipes I have published on Food Nouveau’s sister recipe site, Just Recipes, are deliciously fitting for the holidays. Quick and simple, creative and delicious, they could be the best additions to your menu, whether it’s a family dinner or a cocktail party with friends.

Have a delightful Christmas – don’t stress too much, relax with your loved ones, and enjoy every bite.

Savory Treats

1:: Leek and Rice Tart with Roasted Bell Pepper Sauce (make this tart in mini-cupcake molds to turn it into the perfect bite!)

2:: Sesame-Infused Shrimp and Avocado Salad on Endive Leaves

3:: Warm Roast Cauliflower, Chickpea and Quinoa Salad

4:: White Bean Spread with Rosemary and Toasted Almonds

5:: Baked Herb & Pistachio Falafel Bites with Mint Yogurt & Cashew Dressing

6:: Zucchini and Hazelnut Salad

7:: Red Lentil & Goat Cheese Croquettes with Zesty Avocado Sauce

8:: Asian Cole Slaw with Wasabi Dressing

9:: Turkey Cakes with Wasabi Guacamole

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Sweet Treats

 

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Halloween Cupcakes: The Ghoulish Graveyard and The Bleeding Eye

Halloween Cupcakes: The Ghoulish Graveyard and The Bleeding Eye

Isn’t Halloween the perfect opportunity to bake something creative and a bit crazy? Yesterday, we went to a party where everybody was asked to bring something different to eat. Our hosts wanted a cocktail party were we would eat, drink, mingle and dance all night long (dressed 80s style!). I had been looking for an excuse to make cupcakes for a while now – baking a dozen just for the two of us feels somewhat sinful – so I jumped at the opportunity to bake what turned out to also be a craft project. Just perfect!

I ordered cupcakes decorating kits from an online shop called La Quincaillerie Sucrée (“The Sweet Hardware Store”). Created by Marjorie, a Quebec City baking aficionado, the store sells kits to elevate your cupcakes from hum to show-stoppers. There are seasonal kits (for fall, Halloween, etc.) and also cute basic kits that would make your cupcakes perfect for a baby shower or kids’ birthday parties.

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Five Tips for a Successful Dinner Party and How to Eat Like a Roman

I’m a good planner. I like to set myself a goal and write up a plan for reaching it. I’m also a bit of a perfectionist, which made the first dinner parties I organized a bit fussy and very stressful for me. Experience has helped me sort out which tasks are key to a successful evening from those that are just making life harder.

A table set for thirteen for brunch at Mother’s Day 2010.

The five tips that drive my dinner party planning are:

1. Plan in advance
Decide how many people you want at your table. Your guest count will dictate what kind of dinner you’ll be preparing: 4 to 8 guests (plus hosts) is ideal for a seated meal. More guests can mean it’s easier to plan a cocktail party.
Send your invitations well in advance so as to make sure your friends will be there. Three weeks is a safe bet.

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Happy Mother’s Day

Happy Mother’s Day

I don’t often get to set a table for 13: it takes my table’s two extra leaves, my only big-enough Marimekko tablecloth and all of my dishes, glasses and cups and cutlery (where did all the forks go?), but my, is it worth it. Especially to honor the wonderful and accomplished mothers around me (there were 4 around the table). It seems to me that Moms are always in charge (incidentally, all four moms insisted in helping me cook for the brunch), so it’s a good thing that there is at least one day in the year where they let us spoil them.

My Sunday brunch was an easy thing, everybody brought something. I cooked two vegetable frittatas, mini red velvet cupcakes and strawberry and chocolate macarons. Also on the table were delicious croissants and pains au chocolat, baguettes, a home-cooked ham, home-made jams, a very colorful fruit salad and a delicious assortment of local cheeses.

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