Holiday Gifts: My Kitchen Must Haves

'Tis the Season of giving.


It's always fun to give but sometimes we get stumped for new ideas.

I thought I'd share with you a list of my favorite 'must haves' for the kitchen.
They would make perfect gifts for newlyweds, beginning cooks, wanna be chefs, and even as house warming presents.

Knives - The workhorse in my kitchen

Can't live without my knives, and I own quite a few different types.  Here are a couple of my favorites.






Wusthof Classic 8" Chef's Knife
 

Wusthof Classic 7" Hollow Ground Santoku Knife


Wusthof Classic Panini Knife


A good knife needs a great cutting board.  This one is "green" and is the perfect board!



Bamboo Cutting Board


Everyone needs pretty measuring cups.  These are pretty enough to keep on the counter!





White Ceramic Measuring Cups - Pear


Who can live without a coffee maker?  Not my love...MGG.  
This is his new favorite, and mine too!  It makes so much more than coffee.





Keurig K65 Special Edition Gourmet Single Cup Home Brewing System


Skillets - a must have for everyday cooking, you can't beat the heat distribution and retention of cast iron.




Lodge 10" cast iron skillet

Wooden Spoons - I wouldn't know what to do without my wooden spoons.  I use them daily!




Wooden Spoons

Now this is just my short list!  I probably have another dozen items I used consistently but this is a great starter set.  I hope that you find the perfect gift for that special person!

Latin Empanadas

It's the Holiday time.  Which is also a "busy time" for most of us.  Getting the tree up, baking goodies for all your friends and neighbors, and hosting holiday parties.

You know what I mean.  A busy time.

Today's recipe does double duty.  My Latin Empanadas can be served as a main course dinner.  Made smaller to serve as appetizers for a party.  Or even frozen and baked for a quick weeknight meal.

Gotta love those types of recipes.  And...gotta love the flavor of this empanada!  Typically fried, I baked these to golden brown.  Using my Mom's pastry dough made the recipe special...plus easy.  The dough turns out tender and perfectly easy to work with.

The filling is a combination of chicken, veggies, cheese, and just a kick of flavor to pull it all together.  These are excellent.

I think they are calling me now...!  So if you are hosting a party soon or want a great meal for your family you'll be blown over by this dish!

Enjoy!

Latin Empanadas

Mom's Pastry Dough

      1 cup  flour
      1/2 tsp.Baking Powder
      1/2 tsp salt
      1/4 cup  shortening
      1/4 cup water

Meat Filling

      1/2 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
      1/2 cup onions, small dice
      1/2 cup red bell peppers, small dice
      1/2 chunky salsa (I used a medium spice)
      1 clove garlic, minced
      1 cup  Mexican Style Shredded Four Cheeses
      1 egg beaten with 1 T. water
                                                                                                                     
For the dough:  In a medium bowl, add flour, baking powder and salt, mix to combine. Cut in shortening with pastry blender or 2 knives until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add 1/4 cup water, stirring until mixture forms ball.  Dough may seem dry but try and incorporate it all together.  If too dry add 1 tsp water.  

Knead dough on floured board until smooth and elastic. (About 5 minutes) Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.                

For the filling:  In a large skillet cook chicken, onions and peppers on medium-high heat 8 min. until chicken is done. Add salsa and garlic stirring to combine.  Cool 10 minutes.  Once cool, stir cheese into chicken mixture.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Divide dough into 6 pieces and roll out each piece in to a 7-inch round. (For appetizer use a 3 or 4" round)   Place parchment paper on a baking sheet.  

Place dough on parchment and fill with about 1/2 c of the chicken mix the middle of the round.  Brush edges with beaten egg and pull the  top edge of dough over the filling.  Seal on the bottom with a fork.  Brush tops with remaining egg.wash.  Bake 18-20 minutes.

Eggnog Muffins

Oh, the weather outside is frightful

But the fire is so delightful

And since we've no place to go

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

I just love that song don't you?  It is a such a beautiful seasonal song.

Not likely that it is going to snow anytime soon in Los Angeles, but a girl can dream can't she?

This time of year screams holidays and holidays scream winter food.  Like eggnog.  We have eggnog every year cause MGG loves, loves, loves it!  Me...ehhh.  It's okay and I'll have a glass here and there but it's not on my top 10 list of holiday treats, like say....FUDGE!

But we do enjoy some and I enjoy using the leftovers even more.  Last year I brought you Eggnog Waffles which are spectacular!  This year I used my leftover eggnog to flavor up some wonderful Eggnog Muffins.  You know how I love my muffins!  I have tons and tons of recipes out there for you.  

But...these Eggnog Muffins are special.  They are spiced just right with a moist and fluffy inside and a sweet crunchy outside!  I really can't think of a better use for eggnog.  I'm sure that MGG can, but for now, these are at the top of my list!

Enjoy the season!


Eggnog Muffins

makes 6 muffins

2 T melted butter
3 T splenda bake sugar
1 egg
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
¼ tsp salt
½ tsp vanilla extract
1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
½ cup plus 2 T lite eggnog
Topping
Splenda brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Spray a 6 serving muffin pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a medium bowl add butter and sugar and mix well until fluffy. Add the egg and blend. Add the baking powder, nutmeg, salt, and vanilla, flour and eggnog. Mix until just incorporated. Batter will be a little thick.

Scoop the batter evenly into the prepared muffin cups. Sprinkle a little brown sugar over the top of each muffin.

Bake 18-20 minutes. Allow to cool for a few minutes in the pan and then transfer the muffins to a wire rack to cool before serving.