Christmas trees should come with a cage.
Forget garland. Forget lights. Give me a protective wall!
Jake destroyed our tree. HeĀ threw a train at one of the branchesĀ and smashed my favorite ornament. To dust. My beloved baubleĀ was a sentimental souvenir from our very first vacation (sans kids).
It symbolized life before diapers.
We do have smash-proof decorations.
But honestly, I thought we were past that. Last year the boys could care less aboutĀ the Christmas tree! We were safe. Besides, they were obsessed with wearing their Christmas stockings and racing around the house like maniacs. So, I got rid of the decorations (they were ugly anyway).
File this under mom fail #271.
The kitchen however, is my safe place at the moment. Both mentally and physically.
Care for a candid tour?
This is a vintage tin of Amaretti cookies.
Inside you’ll find chocolate, coffee, raspberry, and chocolate-rum. Each cookie is individually wrapped in colorful paper. So festive. Their texture is soft and cake-like, different than traditional crunchy Amaretti cookies.
I plan to reuse the tin for gift tags, pens, stamps, ribbon etc.Ā I holiday in style.
Christmas in my kitchen would not be complete without this book: Nigella’s Christmas.
My mom bought it for me years ago and I love leafing through the pages for festive inspiration. This bookĀ is authentic to Nigella’s take on the holidays. And that’s what I like. Yes, you will find typical Christmas fare but also included are unconventional recipes like glazed sticky ribs, red beet orzotto, and choc-chip chili.
We have meat sauce for Christmas dinner, ok?
The above picture is Nigella’s iconic ‘Spruced up Vanilla Cake.’ It’s delicious.
Inspired by the book, I made Nigella’s Antioxidant Fruit Salad.
My version is slightly different from the original but it’s aĀ welcome boost during the season of excess. I combined pink grapefruit, cubed mango, pomegranate, frozen blueberries, a squirt of lemon juice and… passion fruit! Exclamation point necessary because passion fruit is my MOST favorite fruit in all the land.
And we can’t get it here in NY.
Or if you can, it’s a million dollars. Celia sent me a stash. Bless her heart.
This holiday season, say it with cereal!
Here’s a batch of my favorite granola with a couple of tweaks.
Recipe:
- 4 c. oats
- 4 c.Ā puffed rice cereal
- 1/2 c. melted coconut oil
- 1/2 c. honey
- 1 capful of almond extract
Method:
- Preheat oven to 300 F.
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt coconut oil and honey together. Add extract.
- Mix everything together to combine.
- Bake for 25-35 minutes.
- Cool on sheet pan before storing.
*Tip: stash cooled granola in ziploc bags or containers and freeze. Defrost when ready to use. This can be done up to one month (or more) in advance. Great for holiday presents.
Remember my vanilla sugar?
For gifts, I’m pairing it with Harney & Sons teas. I’ve packaged each set in cellophane with decorative ribbon. And for fun, I add a twig of pine or glitter leaves for visual interest. I’m actually not that crafty by the way. I have a thing for gift wrap.
FYI- My craft store, Michael’s has a fun selection of holiday decorations for $1+. I went crazy one year andĀ stocked up on all kinds of stuff. My supplyĀ comes in handy forĀ when inspiration strikes.
Patience required when wrapping.
What’s going on in your kitchen this holiday season?
*Joining the community over at Fig Jam & Lime Cordial for In My Kitchen,Ā a monthly series featuring fabulous kitchens from around the world!
Comments
sherry from sherryspickings says
i love packaging too. i buy lots of things just cos they are in a gorgeous tin or box. i am surprised about the passionfruit. it is illegal to send fruit even across the border here in Oz, so i am very surprised it can be done overseas!:)
have a great christmas.
Emilie says
Welcome Sherry! Sounds like we’re very similar ;) To me, packaging is like garnishing a dish- it adds that final touch before send off. It’s thoughtful. It’s complete. And someone like me appreciates it very much.
And about the passion fruit, Celia sent me the pulp in tins! Oh, how I wish to have a stash of the whole fruit itself. That would be very special.
Have a wonderful holiday, Sherry! Thanks for stopping by!
Selma | Selma's Table says
Emile, your Christmas Kitchen is gorgeous – you’d never think there were marauding little monkeys around! When my son was little, I used to put up a small tree in his room and he had lots of colourful, unbreakable baubles that he could decorate it with. Your gift wrapping looks very professional but that Amaretti tin is just stunning. Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas!!
Emilie says
Haha… I hide it well ;) Or really, they’ve just destroyed everything we own so there is nothing left to see! That’s sounds about right. I would love to put a Christmas tree in the boys’ room one day. I’m afraid now, they will try to climb it or something. Maybe in a couple of years- a cute little Charlie Brown looking tree. That’s how I picture it :)
Best wishes to you and your family as well! xo
Napoli Restaurant Alert says
You can’t get passionfruit in New York? Must be the only thing you can’t buy there!
Emilie says
Hi! Yes! They are incredibly difficult to find here in NY. I have access to some really great markets with incredible variety and it’s hit or miss. And insanely expensive. But they will always be my favorite :)
Jayme Henderson says
Love the warmth that exudes from your kitchen, Emile! I, too, am a longtime fan of Harney & Sons’ teas. I even keep my earrings in a wooden tea box of theirs. I will have to check out Nigella’s Christmas cookbook. This year is definitely a Christmas of handmade gifts, and I’m so happy to make vanilla sugar, alongside my dried herb garden blend! Have a very Merry Christmas this year!
Emilie says
Hello sweet Jayme!
Aren’t those tea tins the best? Earring storage is a great idea (way better than my practical solution for storing Christmas tags and scotch tape-lol). I have a thing for cute packaging, regardless.
Your homemade gifts are going to be fabulous this year! I remember seeing a picture of soaps… Are you doing that as well? Love that.
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas dear friend! Those kitty’s are gonna love themselves some tissue paper Christmas morning ;) xoxoxoxo
Rachel says
New to your blog, but so grateful to have found you. Gorgeous photos and dialogue to boot! I have already used your marshmallow recipe for an article just submitted to the local paper, and reposted on my humble site. We are now marshmallow obsessed, thanks to your precise and generous recipe. Merry Christmas!
Emilie says
Hello Rachel! So glad you liked the recipe! Thank you for your kind words. I will have a look at your blog too… Merry Christmas! :)
celia says
Oh what a shame about your decoration! Even though my sons are both now men, I STILL hang the fragile decorations up high – it’s hard to know how the visiting hordes of small people are going to react to it! Sooo happy you’re enjoying the passionfruit, and I love the amaretti tin – I reckon I’d have bought it for the tin alone. I’m heading to Amazon now to see if that Nigella book is on kindle – I have that Christmas tree bundt tin! Have a lovely one, gorgeous girl.. xxx
Emilie says
Yes! Kindle! What a great idea. Have you seen her companion tv series? I watch it on Youtube. It’s very festive. And of course you have that Christmas tree bundt tin ;) Big hugs! xo
Aysegul says
I want to be in your Christmas kitchen. :)
I am a big fan of filling up vintage tins with cookies and other things. And I love this Amaretti one.
Happy holidays to you and to your family!
Emilie says
Hello Aysegul! I’m so glad you stopped by! I’ve been meaning to pop over and read about your Christmas cake. It looks incredible. Wishing you a beautiful holiday :) xx
Donna Castellano says
Thanks so much for the inspiration! I’m going to order the teas and make the vanilla sugar this week! So beautiful… I can’t even take it! If I got homemade vanilla sugar and tea for Christmas I’d be SOOO HAPPY!! haha!!
Emilie says
Excellent! I think you are going to love these. Don’t forget to keep one for yourself ;)
PS- They make great teachers’ gifts as well. But I’m sure you already know that! xx
Shikha la mode says
Granola is weirdly comforting this time of year, don’t you think so?
Emilie says
I agree! It’s like, ‘Merry Christmas… here’s some cereal!’ But honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way ;)
Ruby88 says
How can I get those tea tins? And will you wrap them for me? :)
Emilie says
Maybe, just maybe, you’ll get one for Christmas this year. I’ll trade you for some babysitting? xx
jura / recipesonthefly says
Your gifts for Christmas with the vanilla sugar are so beautiful, thank you for this wonderful idea ….
I really like the vintage box of amaretti!
Emilie says
Thank you Jura! Sometimes I’ll gift the vanilla sugar alone and other times, as you’ve seen here, I’ll pair it with a nice tea. Even coffee. It really makes a nice gift especially if you need a grab bag idea. I always make a couple extra.
And the Amaretti is a real treat! The cookies were great and the tin even better!
Happy Holidays to you! :)
Anne says
Your kitchen is looking wonderfully festive already. I’d never thought to freeze granola before so will be following that tip.
It’s a shame your bauble got smashed but such is life! I’ve managed to break two delicate baubles in the Christmas Barn, but at least I was just clumsy and didn’t through a train at them.
Emilie says
Hi Anne!
I just need a twig/cinnamon tree and I’ll be all set. I do have plenty of Lego’s you know ;)
Try the granola tip. Works like a charm. I usually take all of it out of the freezer and dump it out onto a sheet pan to defrost. I spread it out nice and evenly. When ready, I package. This year I’m packaging the nuts and dried fruits separately so that it doesn’t soften the granola.
And yes, such is life about the ornament. And this is why I refuse to get sentimental over stuff! It was one of those ‘typical’ moments. xx
francesca says
That vintage tin is whatsssuppp. I miss so much Michael <3 This Christmas, I'm flying home to the the States to stay with my family for a bit… Mom's gonna do all the cooking and I can't tell you how excited I am :)
Emilie says
Hello Francesca!
My husband’s family is from South Africa via the Netherlands. Such a beautiful place. I’ll have to pick your brain if we go visit! I’m sure there are plenty of great spots to eat.
There’s nothing like coming home to Mama’s food! I know this feeling all too well. I hope you have a wonderful holiday with your family filled with delicious food and tons of stuff from Michael’s ;) xx
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
Emilie, I read this post before going to bed last night… it was the perfect cozy nightcap. I am not particularly crafty either but I have a weakness for vintage tins, jars and packaging of all kinds… can’t believe you found those tags at Michaels (1$ bin yet!) — did you buy the Amarettis locally? I am not familiar with Nigella’s Christmas book. Basically, I am getting all of my Christmas list suggestions from you this year! :)
Emilie says
Packaging is my weakness. You could wrap dirt in a mason jar with a cute burlap ribbon and I’d buy it ;)
Do you have a Michael’s near you? There are so many great finds in that $1 bin. I couldn’t believe I scored craft tags! Also, everything you see in that box (last photo) was from the $1 bin: straws, cupcake wrappers, the wrapping paper. Oh, and let me tell you about that wrapping paper- those rolls are really short. They’re perfect for small gifts and good quality too.
The Amaretti’s are from… Trader Joe’s! I thought that If I mentioned that place one more time someone would throw a tomato at me. The cookies are imported directly from Italy so I bet you could find them online.
And about Nigella Christmas– I first learned of this years ago when her companion Christmas series aired. It is a lovely, lovely series. Probably one on my most favorites for it’s unpredictable editing and music (you can find it on YouTube now- just search Nigella Christmas episodes.) Anyways, I talked about it all the time to my mom, so she got me the book. I’ve only made a handful of her recipes but it’s great for festive inspiration.
How’s the weather over there? Stay warm and dry! xoxo
Kelly @ Inspired Edibles says
thank you for the newsy note! We had a big rain storm (quite exciting to get weather here :D and so good for the land — our grapefruit tree grew a foot following the rain – amazing to see). Trader Joe’s for all our needs then? good to know ;-).
Emilie says
Oh, right. I forgot you live in an orchard ;) Glad to know all is well! I heard all about the weather on the news…
Leigha @ The Yooper Girl says
Such stunning pictures! Your kitchen seems like the perfect place to be during the holidays. I really do need to try to make my own granola. I love your rustic wooden background too!
Emilie says
Thank you Leigha!
I said to someone the other day, when did Christmas and granola become synonymous? Somehow it did. And I like it! Granola is perfect for gifts because you can make it in advance (and freeze). This way you can sort out the rest of your to-do list without having to bake at the last minute. Package in cute jars or bags and you’re all set! The recipe I’ve provided above is a good starting place if you need a suggestion.
Happy Holidays to you! xx
Adri says
Hi,
Well I am sorry to hear about your special ornament. Life with boys, I guess… your kitchen looks like it is filled with beauty , warmth and love. May your Christmas be the same.
Emilie says
Same to you, dear friend! Much love to you and your family :) xx
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
Loved this tour, Emilie… and so sorry to hear about your cherished, pre-kids, ornament. I must check out Nigella’s Christmas book. I don’t have any of her book; that needs to change, postehaste! Fabulous sugar/tea gift idea and it’s so beautifully wrapped. Thank you for your inspiration and beautiful photography.
Emilie says
Hi Traci!
That’s ok… All of my stuff is destroyed these days, or is covered in stickers (I was shopping recently and I had a ‘paid’ sticker on my butt, ok?) It’s just the way it goes!
Nigella’s book is great. It really gets you in the festive spirit. She has a companion TV series that I watch on youtube. She tours the Christmas markets throughout Europe and I swear, you can smell the mulled wine through the screen. The music is good too.
I’m so glad you’ve found a little inspiration from this post. Wishing you a lovely holiday season! xx
JJ - 84thand3rd says
Oh so many pretty and festive things in your kitchen! Sorry to hear about the ornament’s train crash… a sign to plan a kid-free holiday perhaps ;D. Have a lovely Christmas! xx
Emilie says
You read my mind. Lucky for me, my birthday is in January so I might have additional negotiating power ;) Or, I’ll just get my 5 year old to chime in. He’s gong to be a lawyer.
Wishing you a very merry Christmas as well, JJ! xx
Cath says
I have cooked so many of your recipes -all delicious. My favourites are Mediterranean chicken and chicken piccata. I would love a simple recipe that I can take a friend with a new baby… Any suggestions?
Emilie says
Hello Cath! That’s fantastic. Glad to hear you like the recipes. We make the chicken piccata all the time :)
Since you’re already familiar with the Mediterranean Baked Chicken, the pasta version would be a great recipe to take over to your friend. It’s a one pan bake- all she would have to do is heat it up.
I remember when my babies were newborns and cooking dinner was the last thing on my mind. I just ate whatever was in the fridge! My pasta recipe includes chicken, vegetables, and pasta (of course) to sustain energy levels. This will be good for those unpredictable days and sleepless nights.
Here’s the link: Mediterranean Chicken + Pasta Bake
And if you have any questions, please let me know! Enjoy.
Kirsty says
Hi Emilie, thanks for the tour! You photos are just lovely , such soft pretty light. I do like the sound of the Amaretti cookies, and love the look it the tin too.
Have a very enjoyable Christmas, Kirsty xx
Emilie says
Welcome Kristy! Thank you!
I have to say, at first I only bought the Amaretti’s because of that tin. I’m a total sucker for packaging! The cookies were very good, different than the traditional ones but a welcome alternative. I never met a cookie I didn’t like. ;)
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! x