Simply Delicious Personal Chef Service

Every cook - whether professional or not - has their "Bible" and for me it is my mother's Better Homes and Gardens cookbook (circa late 1950's or early 60's).  The poor thing has been used so much that the cover is held on with duct tape and many of the pages are falling out, a sure sign of a much loved cookbook!  Mom's cookbook is very precious to me, so you can imagine my excitement when I learned that it had been reproduced  "I  can put Mom's cookbook away, save it from further damage, and keep the newer version in my kitchen."  The reprint is beautifully done with the same old pictures and artwork, even the page edges are yellowed to look like an old book.  I couldn't wait to start reading it when I got home!

 Imagine my horror when I discovered that things were missing from the new book!  Either this was not an exact reproduction of Mom's cookbook or Better Homes and Gardens decided to leave a few items out.  Whatever the case, favorite family recipes were missing and so were many of the helpful tips that I frequently consult.  So now I have TWO cookbooks that I use; first I go to the latest edition and then if I can't find what I need, I consult "Mom".  My husband smiles at me and says, "You know, you will never retire your mother's cookbook"...he's probably right!

 One of the biggest thing I use Mom's cookbook for are the conversion tables.  I have computer programs to help me with that when I'm working on client menus; but when I'm in my own kitchen, cooking along and don't want to run to my computer, I look in the book to confirm my calculations.  Even the best of us forget our math when we are rushed or need assurance that our numbers are correct, especially if it is for a special dinner or a new recipe.  So I've started to put some of that information in my Forum and will try to get more of that entered throughout the month.  That way you'll have the information too...and I can give "Mom" a rest :)

Last night we got hit with the first snowstorm of the season.  It was beautiful to watch, I almost didn't want to let the dogs out because they spoil the white landscape with their paws.

The past couple of years have been hard for me because I really do love the snow and cannot get into the Holiday mood unless we have some - I just don't feel like baking, decorating or shopping unless there is snow.  It just doesn't seem like Christmas to me without it!

But today there is snow and I'm ready to bake!  Got the Christmas music going, the recipes laid out and all the ingredients sitting on the counter.  There are my Christmas standards - sugar cut-outs, Holiday Fudge Cups (see the Forum for that recipe!), Heavenly Chocolate Truffles, Pinwheels; but I also found a couple new ones I want to try out this year - Cream Cheese Brownies, biscotti and PB & J cookies.

Gotta go!  Bing Crosby's White Christmas is calling to me!

Happy Baking!

YEAH SNOW!!!

This week my husband started a long session of working 60 hours each week; it'll be great for our wallet, but he'll be too tired on Sundays to do any Holiday stuff.  So, it will be up to me to get the house ready and do all the gift shopping...in between my regular cook-dates and Holiday parties, of course.

Let's see, what do I have to get done by Christmas?

• There is a tree to buy and decorate.  Thank goodness the kids decorated the house during Thanksgiving break!
• Cookies to bake for family, friends and clients.
• A family dinner to plan and prepare for; you can be sure I'll be making the side-dishes now and freezing them for later.
• The house needs a good cleaning.  Oh yes, and did I mention that I have two rooms that I want to paint?!

Christmas presents!  Can't forget those!

I have a very dear friend who makes lists for everything.  I think I'll copy her and write out a few of my own so I don't forget anything else or lose my mind.

Presents to purchase and wrap, shopping for just the right tree and decorating it, planning and preparing the family dinner...all make for a busy time of year.  Creating a timeline can help to eliminate some of the stress, particularly when planning the feast.  Here are ten helpful hints to make your dinner plans easier:

• Invite your guests in late November; give them plenty of time to let you know how many to prepare for.
• Plan your menu and groceries to buy about a month before the dinner; divide the list between items that can be bought now and perishable goods.
• Watch the weekly grocery ads and buy your non-perishable items on sale.
• Let someone else do all or a portion of the work!   Hire a personal chef or caterer to help with the meal preparation.
• Consider serving a buffet, rather than a sit-down dinner.  Pot-luck dinners are also a wonderful alternative.
• Take an inventory of your cooking utensils, serving platters and bowls and table linens to ensure that you have everything you'll need to make your dinner spectacular.
• Start cooking early.  Most side dishes like mashed potatoes, dinner rolls, vegetables, stuffing or desserts can be prepared several weeks in advance and stored in the freezer.  Just remember to label them clearly and thaw the dishes in the refrigerator two nights before your dinner party.
• Plan to use your crock pot, slow cooker and roaster.  They are great tools that will help you cook multiple dishes at once without having to constantly watch over them.
• Clean out your refrigerator to make sure you will have room for all the dishes you are preparing.
• Empty the dishwasher the night before the party.  It will make clean up easier and give you more time with family and friends.