2015 Holiday Gift Guide

I have officially survived my first semester of graduate school. I am so ready to relax and do all the cozy fun christmas-y things! I spent the past couple days in California visiting family, doing too much shopping (hello Home Goods!) and eating all the good food (hello Indian Food buffets!). And maybe like me, you're having trouble with holiday-gifting inspiration. Fear not, I've compiled a list of my foodie-inspired gifts for any cook (or eater) on your list.

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1. Burgundy Stone Washed Linen Apron from Etsy - I'm a big believer in dressing the part and this beautiful belgian linen apron is enough to make any chef feel like Dominique Ansel.

2. Hand-Dipped Cherry Wood Bowl from Food52 - Fact: a home cook can never, ever, have too many serving bowls, especially ones as beautiful as this.

3. No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownie Bites from Kneading Home - There are few things as thoughtful as a homemade gift. These truffle brownie bites are simple, decadent, and vegan + gf!

4. Green Kitchen Travels: Healthy Vegetarian Food Inspired by Our Adventures - I've been following Green Kitchen Stories for years, their blog is so lovely I wish they could adopt me. This book is on my own personal wish list.

5. Marble and Wood Cake Stand from Terrain

6. The Art and Soul of Baking - This book has been my own personal reference for all things baking for years. It's like my baking bible and has never let me down.

7. Calphalon Non-Stick Square Griddle - It may seem like a luxury item, but we use ours weekly for everything from grilled cheeses to pancakes.

8. King Arthur Flour Vietnamese Cinnamon - High quality cinnamon makes the perfect stocking-stuffer.

9. Le Creuset Round Dutch Oven in Burgundy from Sur La Table - I could go on and on about how much I adore my dutch ovens. They are hands down the most loved item in my kitchen. Timeless, reliable, versatile, and beautiful. So worth the investment.

10. Belgian Linen Napkins from Sur la Table - I would own these in every color if I could. They are elegant yet relaxed, perfect for any occasion.

11. Wood Marble Square Platter from Crate and Barrel - I bought this platter last year and love it. It's makes the perfect cheese platter for dinner parties and is just so beautiful.

12. Vintage Measuring Spoons from Cost Plus World Market

13. Plenty More by Yotam Ottolenghi - Completely vegetarian and completely mind blowing. Ottolenghi is famous for a reason - his recipes are interesting, innovative, and will completely change the way you think about vegetables.

14. Red Nested Mixing Bowls from Sur La Table - These get used daily in our home. They are a must-have for any baker.

15. "You Got This" Mug from Etsy

16. Orange Rosemary Shortbread from Kneading Home - The perfect homemade treat for neighbors, teachers, and friends.

17. Round Pizza Stone - The secret to crispy thin-crust (sorry Chicago) pizza is a piping hot oven and a stone. It will not let you down.

18. Food52 Vegan - Food52 is a constant in my life, so naturally I've had this cookbook on my wish list since it came out this Fall.

19. Black Truffle Oil - A luxury most home cooks won't spend on themselves, but such a treat. It will transport you to Italy and add something extra decadence to your dishes.

20. Grocery List Notepad from Brim Papery - How cute is this notepad? Seriously though, meal prep is important and so is this notepad.

Still looking for more inspiration? Check out last year's Holiday Gift Guide!

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Spiced Apple & Oat Pancakes

Breakfast has always been my favorite meal of the day. Unfortunately it's also the most neglected and the least thought about for most people, myself sadly included. So on weekend mornings, after sleeping in the for the first time all week, I almost always wake up craving a warm home-cooked breakfast. This is no more true than when the seasons change in the Fall.

These pancakes represent all that is good and cozy in the world. I've made some version of them nearly a dozen times. They are chock full of so much freshly grated apple, we endearingly refer to them as apple latkes. They are spiked with fresh apple cider (bonus points if you get it from a local farmer's market!) and sweetened with real maple syrup. They have just enough oats to make them filling and hardy. Perfect for lazy Sunday fall mornings.

Spiced Apple & Oat Pancakes
Makes about 12 pancakes
adapted from: Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:
3/4 cup milk, any kind (I used almond)
1/2 cup apple cider (or sub more milk)
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 tablespoons real maple syrup
2 cups freshly grated peeled apple (~ 2 medium apples)
1 1/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
3/4 cup old-fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon all spice
1/2 teaspoon salt
unsalted butter for cooking

In a large bowl combine the milk, cider, eggs, vanilla, and maple syrup. Peel and core the apples then grate them using either the grating attachment of a food processor or a box grater. Measure out exactly 2 cups. (More and they had trouble cooking through). Set aside.

In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, oats, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and salt. Pour the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and stir until just combined. Add in the apples and stir until integrated.

Warm a fry pan over medium heat. Once hot, add a thick slice of butter to the skillet and top with 1/4 cup dollops of batter. Flip once brown and crispy on the bottom. Continue with remaining batter, adding butter each time. Serve hot!

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Meat-Free Thanksgiving Inspiration

I'll admit being vegetarian on Thanksgiving poses extra challenges. Nate was initially supposed to be away for Thanksgiving this year, and I stressed for weeks about how I was going to find a place to go for the holiday, only to show up as possibly the most difficult guest ever, a vegetarian!

So how does being a vegetarian on Thanksgiving work? If we have enough people Nate barbecues a turkey, one year we had two meat-eaters so we cooked a chicken, and if it's just us we go completely untraditional and eat meat-free.

I have to say my first vegetarian thanksgiving made me a little sad. Not because I wanted turkey, but because I felt a bit isolated from the tradition. I wanted to big statement piece on the table, I wanted it to feel like the Thanksgivings I had growing up. And although I'm not sure I've quite found the answer, I figured I'd share a handful of my favorite meat-free, fall inspired meals.