Monday, December 9, 2013

Mop Philosophy Monday

Three layers of flannel.
Baby it's cold.
 Are you wearing flannel top to bottom?  How about in three different layers?  LLBean nightgown, shirt and BedHead robe, there's your recipe for a cold evening.  Slightly frightening in presentation, but definitely warm.
Speaking of recipes, I have a new one for the gluten-free among us, or anyone really.  An apple crisp made without flour?  It can be done and it's easier too: less ingredients.
 Smear some butter around your dish, peel and chop your apples...
 Mix up some rolled oats (about 1.5 cups) with equal parts butter and brown sugar, I used half a cup of each...
 I think the secret ingredient is adding a bit of applesauce to the chopped apples: it creates that delicious bubbly fruit texture in the finished product.
After you've tipped your oats all over the apple filling add some more butter...
Then bake for 20-30 minutes, you want it brown and delicious smelling.
I don't think this dessert lasted five minutes in our house.

Of course it's that time of year: Cookies.
The pigs came marching in.
 Piggy cookies to be exact.
Piggy apron and pink piggy icing.
 Interested in hydrating your indoor air with seasonal smells?
 Try simmering some fresh rosemary with cinnamon sticks and dried apples.

I think these hardcover Penguin Classics make the best Christmas gifts, how about you?
I can't resist them.

Something else I'm a big fan of: anything by Emma Bridgewater.




 How is this for a thoughtful Christmas present?  A good friend sent me a gluten-free Christmas pudding from Fortnum & Mason.  Thanks Darling!
Is your life centred around Christmas food these days?  Seems to be my theme.
I hope you are warm and cozy this week with good things to look forward to.
xoxDani
From an extremely thoughtful friend.