Rounding the Year out: Holiday Sips with The New York Times (Another Page 1!), Walnut Recipes with Food52, and More

The last few weeks have gone quickly by. There's a flurry of work which you should know about. Much great food and drink for winter days to keep you and your loves cozy, or, just yourself.

So important to give special things to yourself, and, hey, it all starts with you. Is there a little pep talk in there? Maybe. But if so, it's for me, as the start of New Years aren't an easy thing. It's like I have to figure out where I am, all over again….

Anyway. These are all great eating and drinking, so get some. :)

This feature was sparkly and huge on Page 1 - always something I relish - Christmas Eve. Both cocktails are lovely. I especially like the Apple Brandy-Islay Scotch-Champagne riff on the French 75. I have made similar at my own bar for a while, but used a Lapsang Suchong infused spirit I'd created instead of the Scotch. Bright, warming, and surprising.

Also with The Times is this tasty recipe, prepared with fresh pasta, chopped tarragon, yuzu juice, togarashi pepper (if you can find it - though cayenne makes a fine substitute), and delicious plump crabmeat.

Good eating indeed. And, this extra-special gingersnap cookie recipe.

While looking at these sweets, I was reminded of the gorgeous brownies I produced for the December Birmingham Magazine. They are utterly scrumptious. Use this recipe if you're looking to make a batch for yourself.

AND, there's more…. now you can see how the days go by in a blur over here!

My "What to do with a bulk of Walnuts" story is the newest installment for Food52's Halfway to Dinner column. If you haven't seen my other features, I also created recipes and the stories for capers (to die for), preserved lemons, and red quinoa!

 Roasted kabocha, celery, pomegranate, walnut, and fried sage salad

Beet, shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano, walnut, and mint salad

 Walnut pesto

 Bourbon-roasted squash soup with blue cheese and candied walnuts

This last recipe - a persimmon-walnut bread pudding - has a special place in my heart. And belly. I basically threw a bunch of stuff together while keeping the tenants of bread pudding in my back pocket, and came to the other side with an outrageously delightful dessert (or breakfast!). Please do let me know if you try it.

Well, that's almost all of it.

Christmas was spent somewhat uneventfully here, with the beau home but fiercely under the weather. We are both emerging, and if I have my way, I'll have a New Year's post up in a couple days. Please hold me to it! There are some other tasty bites I've been keen to share.

I hope you have had a joyous Holiday Season, and that you are feeling light with the days remaining in 2014. Woo-hoooo! xxx

Smoked Paprika and Saffron Mussels at Anthology, Spaghetti and Meatballs and a Fantastic Choucroute at the New York Times

These are a few of my favorite things. Plump mussels shipped to me overnight by my friend (an oyster, salmon, and seafood expert) Jon Rowley. A richly fragrant broth in which to serve them. Conveniently morsels of crusty bread to sop up every drop. And, friends gathered close to revel in just how plump and juicy mussels can be, when they are harvested from clean waters at just. the. right. time.

I could make a list a mile long of favorite things, no doubt. But this is a good start. And the meal was so good. If you choose to make this savory, juicy dish, please follow back and tell me how much you loved it! See the full story and recipe at Anthology.

Many things have come to print since my last post here, so I'll use this as an opportunity to share the wonderful work I've done most recently for the New York Times, out on Wednesday.

This super no-fuss meatballs and spaghetti story, by my no-nonsense favorite, Mark Bittman -

That's me!

Also from that story, a much more labor intensive - but worth every moment - choucroute preparation -

This was so good I've made it twice since. SO good.

The pork shoulder is pasture-raised heritage Berkshire/Tamworth breed, by my friend Farmer Brad at Mountain Song Farm, and the wonderfully tangy sauerkraut is from my farmer friends Lindsay, Pete, and Benford at Harvest Roots Farm and Ferment. Support your local farmers and eat well.

Here is a wonderful spin on pan-fried fish, served with an asian ragout that offers both crunchy and velvety notes -

the red snapper I used for the story

There's more. But I am being stared at by the next to-dos on my lists. Those left undone stare at me, and whether or not I've crossed a bunch off in a day, those which remain bore holes I cannot bear…. Some of those to-dos include tasks to prepare for a trip: I am traveling to Norway next week!!!

If you have recommendations of places to go and things to do, please tell me in the comments. Thank you!

It will be splendid. I know I cannot conceive to what extent. But I am certain this travel will provide much inspiration. I plan to tuck real and experiential pieces into my bag to bring back and share with you all…. For in-the-moment beauty on this adventure and everyday, follow me on Instagram.

Chef in the Garden and a Sweet Paul Giveaway!

Spring is here. Things are at last changing. The profusion of blooms of all kinds is happening. If you follow me on Instagram, you have seen me get punchy over flowers, trees, and anything else which as been showing itself spring. Yesterday I had the unique opportunity to accompany one of my farmer friends for a field trip, as he dropped off goods to chefs at the best restaurants in town. Everywhere the day took us, there were redbuds, dogwoods, forsythia, and cherry blossoms clamoring for glory.

But I digress. I am doing a *very special* giveaway. Scroll down for a chance at the amazing goodies… 

These images are the path of a longer-term project. Jim and I photographed a unique farm-to-chef-to-table event last year which epitomized what it means to be part of Community. The fact that it was chock-full of sublime flavors and a total blast didn't hurt any. The story just got printed for this month's Birmingham Magazine, and it looks beautiful.

Will and Liz from Heron Hollow Farm - you've seen them here and here - provided one of their pigs for the roast. The five-course meal included all kinds of veg and foraged treats from the kind gents at Mt Laurel Farm, the incredibly pastoral setting for the event. Due to its first-time success, they are repeating this event, with the next Chef in the Garden dinner on May 3rd. Just in time for beautiful spring produce! Click here for tickets!

I am falling in love with all that it means to get to know my farmers.

There are so many more photographs from that beautiful experience. Order a copy of the magazine here to see it in print! As I said earlier there is a larger project underway, so with any luck you will have a chance to see the spectrum of amazing images all together. I'll keep you posted!

And now for the giveaway!!! 

My friend Sweet Paul, *just* released his wonderful new book, Eat & Make: Charming Recipes + Kitchen Crafts You Will Love, and he has offered a SIGNED COPY to one lucky reader of this blog. We have had a great time making beautiful work together over the years, and so I know firsthand how much love he poured into the making of this book. I hope you will enjoy it every bit as much as he had fun producing it.

In order to qualify for the giveaway, follow me in my daily fun over at Instagram. Then leave a comment here: tell me what fun or delicious thing you are especially looking forward to as we finally revel in spring. Please include a link for contact should you win! Due to mailing rates, this giveaway is only eligible to residents in the continental United States, though I LOVE ALL my readers! Cut-off to qualify is April 20th, at 11:59 EST. I will announce the winner the week following…. so stay tuned!!!

Very soon I'll post more great projects that are now complete. I feel incredibly grateful for the community sprouting up everywhere and the gorgeous stories I am taking part in to tell. Have a beautiful weekend!