HOLIDAY COOKIES

The start of Christmas is finally here! With my tree in place and decorations all around I thought it was the perfect time to start some holiday baking that I could bring into work!

To start - what better, than a vanilla thing cookie with a royal icing glaze (coloured of course)!

When looking for recipes I always turn to my dessert Guru's - Anna Olsen and Donna Hay. I wanted something really simple but with good flavour. I settled on Donna Hay's Vanilla Snap Biscuit - which I later decorated with icing instead of just icing sugar.

Here is the recipe for easy holiday cookies!

Vanilla Snap Biscuits from Donna Hay's Modern Classics 2

Ingredients:

- 185gms butter

- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- icing sugar to dust

Directions
- Preheat the oven to 350 f
- In a food processor mix the butter, sugar and vanilla until smooth
- Add the flour, egg and egg yolk and process until the mixture forms a soft dough
- Take the dough out the processor and knead slightly bringing it together in ball and wrap it in cling film and place in the fridge for 30 minutes
- Roll the dough out on a lightly floured surface or between 2 sheets of baking paper until about ½ cm / 5mm thick
- Cut into any shape you want using cookie cutters
- Place cookies on a baking sheet that has been lined with baking paper or silicone baking sheets
- Bake for 10 – 12 minutes until golden brown
- Remove the biscuits carefully from the baking tray and allow them to cool on a wire cooling rack as they have a tendency to carry over cooking and could turn too brown once removed from the oven (I generally cool all biscuits on a cooling rack).
- When cooled, dust them with some icing sugar or decorate as desired.



SEASONS by DONNA HAY

Looking for a new cookbook to add to your collection, or for a perfect gift - well have I got one for you. It was my mom's birthday last weekend and I really wanted to find a fabulous cookbook for her. We love Donna Hay, and have since her start. In fact Entertaining was one of my first cookbooks, and one that my mom gave me when I had my first dinner party in grade seven!

Donna Hay is a culinary goddess and this book just goes to show. Every image in this book is utterly stunning, and you really do feel apart of each season.

 

The book is perfect, and the recipes are simple, fresh, and based around the goodies of each season - teaching us to appreciate, love and use the traditional foods of fall, summer, spring and winter. Unlike the previous simplicity of Donna Hay cookbooks, this one takes you from the kitchen straight to the outdoors, with the picturesque images of each season, such as an apple orchard or a stormy winter beach. The book is visually rich and is sure to inspire and delight even those who aren't obsessed with the kitchen.

I am so lucky to have stumbled upon the gem!

STYLE IDEAS

Donna Hay is one of my favourite chefs but she is as equally at good at entertaining. A sort of Martha Stewart like Australian lady! Her style tips for the food and table jazz up any type of party! Her "do-it-yourself" type ideas make it easy for any entertainer to add a little pzazz to their normal ideas!

This is her version of a "care package.": Nurse winter colds with a comforting serve of soup delivered with love to a friends’ door. Once your home-cooked soup has cooled, pour into a leak-proof glass jar. Be sure to include a few herbs, crusty bread and a personal note in the package. (donnahay.com)

Hand drawn placemats: "Draw a plate, knife, fork and glass on paper and use them as disposable placemats to add a unique touch to your table. Use large sheets of paper in any colour you like and draw the shapes in charcoal or crayon to add colour. Go the extra step and write your guests’ name above or on the plate if you want everyone to sit in a certain place. This is a great project for kids." (donnahay.com)

Here is a great trick, especially for the warm months with the many outdoor parties!
"Weighed down.": Don’t let a breezy blow out ruin your well-set outdoor table – make your own table weights.1. You’ll need four potato-sized stones you’ve collected (sticks will do the job nicely, too), cotton cord and superglue. Cut out four 20cm lengths of cord. Pipe superglue around the diameter of a stone, place the stone in the middle of a cord and press to stick on. Hold in place until the glue sets, then tie the cord in a knot around the stone. Repeat with the other stones and cord.
2. Gather one corner of your tablecloth together and tie on the stone weight. Secure the remaining table corners with weights at varying heights. (donnahay.com)

Hopefully these fabulous tricks have inspired your for the next party you throw. Check out all the rest of these great ideas at www.donnahay.com under her "style ideas" section! ENJOY!


photo credit: donnahay.com