This year is coming to a close and Chanukah, Christmas and New Year’s Eve are all fast approaching.  Before we crash full speed into the year ahead, I am pulling on the breaks.  Over the last few years, I have learned to appreciate what a night away (it doesn’t have to be far) does for our family.  The hustle and bustle of every day life rain or shine gets to all of us and one night away from home is just what the doctor, the therapist, the teacher, the parents, and the kids have ordered.

This fall, my daughter and joined my friend and her daughters and we escaped for a night at The Cape Codder and enjoyed a day at the Wellfleet Oyster festival.  It was like pressing the restart button on my computer, clearing all the cookies and rebooting the system.  It was like a day at the spa but for the family.  It was fun, it was refreshing, and we all came back rejuvinated. Now, I think we need a little weekend escape within the city.  Here are a few ideas of where to go and hotels that have packages ready to pamper the kids, the parents, and whoever else needs to put on the brakes before winter break.

This weekend, the Royal Sonesta has their Breakfast with Santa and their Kids Holiday Movie package. The Royal Sonesta’s annual Breakfast with Santa is a family tradition for many.  It includes a delicious breakfast buffet, family activities, and a visit from a very special guest in a red and white suit. Tickets are available online. (Adults $49.52, Children over 3 $28.42, Children under 3 are free.  ) Even if you don’t stay for breakfast with Santa, the Kids Holiday Movie Package, this Saturday, December 13th, is a great mini escape for the whole family.  The whole family can enjoy a movie by the pool and cookies and milk while taking a break from the household chores, school stress, and unfinished projects.  The value of spending a little more time together is hard to measure until you feel it.

The Boston Harbor Hotel has their Winter on the Wharf all set up with skating under the rotunda. Also available Thursday through Sunday is their Kidventure package which includes: Chocolate milk and homemade cookies are delivered to your guestroom.  Families have a choice of tickets for two adults and two children to the New England Aquarium or the Boston Children’s Museum.  There is a complimentary in-room movie (one movie per stay).  The package includes a full American breakfast for two adults and two children in Rowes Wharf Sea Grille. Rates and features are subject to change. Packages and rates are subject to availability. Reservations must be made in advance. An overnight at the Taj in Boston is a wonderful way to enjoy a stay in the city.  Stroll Newbury Street, and pop into the Makerbot store to see 3D printing in action or sign up for a design and make your own ornament workshop.  Wander through the Boston Gardens and take in all the lights.  Take advantage of a night in the city and enjoy a show.  From Boston Ballet’s Nutcracker to Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (the musical) there is something for everyone. The French room is the opulent setting for Tea at the Taj. (Photo courtesy of Taj Boston) The Taj also has a Holiday Afternoon Tea. The Holiday Afternoon Tea takes place in the seasonal French Room and Adam Room.  Tea will be sipped and hot cocoa mustaches will be daintily wiped  while the sound of live music fills the room.  The teas include some of the finest loose leaf and herbal teas found throughout the world, which are custom blended for the Taj Boston. There is a Children’s Tea menu available for $18 per child that includes delicious treats like Peanut Butter & Jelly Tea Sandwiches, Chocolate Chips Cookies, a Chocolate Covered Strawberry, and Hot Chocolate. Or perhaps, you are stressing out about that party you are hosting this Christmas or New Year’s eve. Take your mind off the party and throw one of the swankiest soirées of the year by heading over to Gilt City where you can have your Champagne and drink it too.  Offers at the Battery Wharf Hotel include:

• A cocktail party for up to 20 ($550 instead of $900) with two hours of reserved space in the Battery lounge, five passed hors d’oeuvres, and one glass of wine or signature cocktail per person.
• A private dinner for 12 ($600 instead of $1,000) with a three course dinner for 12 guests plus five bottles of house-selected wines for the table.

If you want to travel outside the city, consider a stay at the Boston Marriott Burlington.  The Marriott has recently undergone a huge renovation and has an indoor pool.  With easy access to the Burlington mall you can try to get some of that holiday shopping in too by taking turns hanging out at the hotel with the kids while you each tackle the mall separately (Santa totally needs a tag team). Family Fun Package:

• Rates range from $169-$399 per night (valid through December 31, 2014)
• Package includes deluxe accommodations (one king or two double beds), $50 food credit to Chopps American Bar and Grill, breakfast for two adults (kids eat free at breakfast) at Chopps, one in-room movie, one popcorn, and full access to all facilities including the indoor pool and recreation area.
• Use code P91 to access this rate when you reserve online or by phone at 1-800-228-9290.
• This rate is available on Thursday-Sunday nights through December 31.

The Hotel Portsmouth invites you New Hampshire (where there is no sale taxes) to do some of your holiday shopping. Rates start at $104 mid-week, $139 Fridays and $189 on Saturdays through December 24th while there is availability.  The Hotel Portsmouth also has a great list of ideas of where to go, what to do, and where to dine. So, if you really need to slow down now to be able to appreciate and enjoy the coming holidays, take one night to escape, recuperate, and spend time together as a family before the larger family gatherings begin.

Sparklefest is in full swing in Harvard Square. Artisan and craft fairs and holiday pop up shops are popping up rapidly like the bubbles in that New Year’s eve glass of Champagne.   And, the kids might be seeing double, triple and quadruple as Santa finds his way all over town.  This weekend is the weekend of Santa brunches and breakfasts.  But, there is plenty to do that doesn’t involve Christmas at all too.

The Santa Paparazzi

The Royal Sonesta has their Santa breakfast this Sunday morning, from 10 .m. to 12 p.m.  They will have a beautiful and delectable breakfast buffet in the ballroom.  Instead of paying for a mall santa photo, because your iPhone or fancy digital camera takes better pics anyway, put that money towards a family experience at the Royal Sopnesta with breakfast, cookie decorating, and holiday movies.

In Harvard Square, The Beat Hotel’s Santa brunch,Saturday, December 13^th, 2014 is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. will have live holiday music from guitarist Bobby Keyes.  The menu is à la carte featuring Executive Chef Ignacio Lopez’s delicious brunch fare such as quiche made with Tuscan kale, sundried tomato & goat cheese served with a house salad ($14.50), wild flower honey & lemon pancakes with wild blueberry compote ($14) and eggs shakshuka, poached eggs, north african tomato sauce, peppers and polenta ($14.50) while children can order scrumptious selections off the “Flower Children” menu including kiddie scrambled eggs & toast ($7.50), grilled cheese ($7.50) and pancakes ($7.50).  Reservations are highly recommended and can be made by calling 617-499-0001. Regular brunch pricing and specials offered. No cover charge.

Governor Gore mansion is hosting Santa Teas starting this weekend Sunday, December 14, 1:00 and 3:30 pm (Sold Out), Saturday, December 20, 10:00 am.  Tickets are $35/pp, all ages; $30 members and their children.  Advanced tickets are required so call 781-894-2798 to reserve a spot for next weekend.  Gore mansion is an enchanting setting for this unique Santa visit.  It is a three-tiered tea with scones, dainty sandwiches and dessert served in the Great Hall and Oval Withdrawing Room of this 1806 home.  The Santa Teas feature a hands-on activity, story time and songs with Santa. In addition, each child will receive a gift presented by Santa himself.

Running from the Malls

This weekend is Holly Fair in Harvard Square.  This weekend, Stroll the shops and pop into the Cambridge Center for Adult Education (CCAE)  for Holly Fair at the CCAE on Saturday, December 13, 2014 from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm and Sunday, December 14, 2014 from 12:00 noon – 5:00 pm.   There is also Holly Fair at the First Parish Unitarian Church  where you will find just the right handmade gift for everyone on your list.  Holly Fair runs through December 23rd  (Weekdays 11:30 – 7:00, Saturdays 10-7:30, Sundays 12:00-6:00) at the First Parish Unitarian Church and just this weekend at CCAE.

Or Perhaps you want to Skate Away…

On Saturday, December 13th, Community Ice Skating at Kendall in Cambridge will be open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. with free admission all day.  Skate rentals are available at the regular rate.  There is a free skating show at 2 p.m. as well.

Or, sing your way into the holiday spirit…

The Flip Flops host a Hottenanny at Club Passim.  Come join this audience-participatory hootenanny led by the soaring vocal harmonies of Julie and Vanessa, backed by a great home-grown Flip Flops band (Adam Michael Rothberg, Andy Santospago, and Ian McMillan), and most importantly, YOUR voices chiming in! Join Julie and Vanessa for their Flip Flops debut show! Tickets: $10 adults, $8 kids, available at the door or by calling 617-492-7679 or at www.clubpassim.org

I love stationery.  I always have.  I think it is a tradition that got passed down from my aunt Kathie.  She has beautiful stationery and even better tiny, perfect handwriting.  I probably have every letter and card she’s sent me stashed away in various places.

“So what?” you think.  “What does stationery have to do with the holidays and keeping kosher?”

Since you asked, let me explain…

We’re Jewish. We’re not religious and we definitely don’t keep kosher, but we’re Jewish by tradition.  I grew up connected to Judaism through traditional meals, traditional high holidays, connecting with family at traditional celebrations: bar and bat mitzvahs, weddings, and funerals.  I know my culture through it’s traditions more than through its faith and that’s how I feel connected to it.

Despite the fact that I love crafting and decorating, and Christmas is one of the best holidays ever for crafting and decorating, we just don’t do Christmas.  We dip our toes a bit with cookie decorating, and occasionally make ornaments for grandma and grandpa’s tree, but that’s where we draw the line… sort of.

Christmas cards.  I don’t think Canadians do Christmas cards really and I know Jews definitely don’t, but I love stationery. Especially in this digital age, I love the idea of sending something tangible by mail to all my friends and family.  I like sending a card to the colleagues with the thought “Hey, you’re important to me and I’m thinking about you.”  I think it started after we got married, the cards start arriving.  It was then, that I decided we could join the fun too.  We’d just make it a “Happy New Year” card.  I’ve never been a “happy holidays” person and when we first got married the non-Christmas cards didn’t really exist.

Times have changed.

I have a couple favourite stationers and Minted is one of them.  I’ve ordered stationery for each of the family members in the past and we’ve done holiday cards with them before, but it’s been a while. Minted has offered me the opportunity to write a sponsored post for them, and since I was in the middle of designing my cards with them anyway, I figured, why not share what it is I like about Minted?

My Kind of Minted

When I refer to “hostess” I use the broad definition.  What I mean by that is if you are attending a party you bring a hostess gift, and if you are hosting a party you deserve to treat yourself.  We’ve all joined our summer and fall CSAs and some brave souls have also signed up for winter CSAs, meat CSAs, fish CSFs, and charcuterie shares, but when it comes to drinks, we often overlook local.  Here are some great choices for hostess gifts whether you are going somewhere in the neighbourhood or traveling across country and want to bring some local spirits to the party.  Here are my five categories of “drink local” hostess gifts: wine, spirits, beer, coffee, and tea.

Some of the smaller wineries require a visit to the tasting room (aw shucks!) to purchase wines, but others are available online.

Richard Auffrey, The Passionate Foodie, headed to TasteCamp Hudson Valley this fall and has a few recommendations from wineries that I am not yet familiar with.  Richard knows food and wine and he shares some of his knowledge and experiences with wines from Hudson-Chatham winery here.  So, if you’re headed past the area, make the ride to grandma’s house that much more relaxing, and stop off at the winery to pick up some hostess gifts. The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Bedell Cellars has show stopping wines even before you ease the cork out of the bottle and pour a glass.  The labels of each of their wines are designed by local artists.  I love the sexy label on their Taste Rosé designed by Barbara Kruger and a nice chilled Rosé just begs to be opened to start any party.  Musée is a pricey hostess gift, but the wine was one of my favourites when I visited the region and the elegant, earthy, yet somehow opulent label designed by Chuck Close is stunning.  Not available yet, but perfect to keep on hand for parties in the New Year is Bedell Cellar’s First Crush.  The new, limited edition wine label for First Crush vintage 2013 is designed by New York based artist Mickalene Thomas.  Thomas is known for her elaborate paintings and iconic representations of the female form. In fact, her portrait of Michelle Obama was the first individual portrait of the First Lady and was exhibited in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. I don’t know what it is, but there is something about both these labels with a face (the one by Mickalene Thomas and the one by Barbara Kruger) that somehow just look your hostess in the eye and say “Thank You.”

Westport River Winery in Massachusetts has some nice sparkling wines.  I love to serve a Kir Royal to start a party off, so why not bring a bottle of sparkling wine and a great local cassis from Clinton Vineyards in New York.  If you want to try something a little different, then consider one of the fruit wines from the “non-grape” fruit wines from Nashoba Valley Winery.  I don’t usually like variations on a theme when it comes to wine, but I did enjoy the taste of the blueberry wine.

For a list of wineries throughout the various regions visit CT Wine Trail, MA Wineries, and New York Wines.

Distilleries are popping up left right and center catching up to the taprooms and breweries.  A few of my favourite local spirits are the Berkshire Mountain Distillers for their Gins (Greylock Gin, Ethereal Gin and their Ice Glen Vodka).  In fact a few years ago, I worked with some local cocktail masters to create a few signature drinks.  The Lavender Pomegranate Cocktail with Greylock Gin and the Ragged Rum Honey, Mint Cider Cocktail Recipe.  When it comes to vodka though, I am a devotee of Triple 8 Vodka from Nantucket.  My new favourite quick and easy cocktail with vodka is a recipe I shared over at Lavender and Lace (coming soon).

After every party there is always the morning after and the morning after most often calls for a good cup of coffee.  I have two local favourite coffee roasters.  I love Karma Coffee up in Sudbury.  Their coffee is the best around.  I also really like Barismo’s coffee.  Both roasters really know how to source beans and most importantly how to get just the right roast for each batch. I almost forgot another regular batch I like to have around is Wired Puppy (from P-Town).  A fourth that I have enjoyed but I am less familiar with is 4A Coffee Roasters in Brookline.

Tea drinkers tend to be perhaps even more particular about their tea than coffee drinkers. We don’t grow tea here in New England but we do have some great tea vendors.  Soluna Garden Farms has delicious tea blends in addition to herbs and spices.  Mem Tea Imports in Watertown is a wonderful local resource for tea as well.  Last, but not least, I love to pop into L’Aroma Café in Newton for a bite to eat and to pick up some of their teas as gifts as well.  I love the black cherry tea this time of year it is rich, slightly sweet, earthly and nicely caffeinated to get me through a cold dark winter afternoon.

From labels to styles to individual taste beer can be a tricky hostess gift, but if you know your host prefers beer over wine then I recommend heading over to Craft Beer Cellar where the staff will expertly guide you through the many local brews available.  Some of my favourites are Happy Sol from Slumbrew, Jack D’Or from Pretty Things Beer and Ale Project, and Clementine Witbier from Clown Shoes.

Eggs are a symbolic part of both Passover and Easter.  As a lover of anything crafty and fun, of course I had to adopt the practice of decorating eggs.  I can do without the bunny (that’s just totally confusing- I mean where does a bunny even get eggs?) I can skip all the sugar too since I didn’t grow up with it I don’t miss it. and, I may have gotten extremely ill at my first Easter party. But, decorating eggs is right up my alley.

We start our Seder with hard boiled eggs and everybody relishes them, but that’s only because we’re all starving and the actual meal still seems hours and three glasses of wine away.  Aside from that, we’re not huge hard boiled egg fans.  On the other hand, we love a good family breakfast with scrambled eggs, sunny sides up, the occasional egg in a hole, or our beloved crêpes. So, for a quick easy egg decorating project I used raw eggs that we can always cook later. These are not for an Easter egg hunt of course. These eggs are more for decoration and for the fun of the activity. They also make a cute display on the counter for whoever gets to work the egg station in the morning.

This activity used:

•  White eggs 
• Temporary tattoos 
• A paper towel
• Some water

I bought the tattoos at Target and the eggs too.   

The trick is to cut the tattoos out fairly close to the edge of the design. Take the clear plastic layer off the tattoo. Have a very wet paper towel ready. Place the slightly tacky side of the tattoo onto the egg and soak the back of the tattoo paper until the tattoo releases onto the egg. Carefully peek to see if the tattoo has completely transferred onto the egg.    

I recommend using fairly small tattoos so that one side of the egg stays unadorned.  That way when you crack the egg to cook with, the egg itself is not contaminated in any way by the tattoo which is surely not food safe.

  
I love to cook, so our Thanksgiving is prepared by me and my entire family with a few exceptions. We always have a selection of Fastachi nuts, seeds, and mixes for guests to nibble on while the turkey is cooking. I also love the ooey gooey deliciousness of Petsi Pies pecan pie so I always have to add one to our dessert table next to my mom’s and husband’s pie.  Many people would rather leave the cooking to others and luckily there are a lot of people making some amazing food to go. All you have to do is choose your menu and get your orders in on time.

  
My fantasy menu:

Starters:

Mushroom bisque from Ten Tables ($16/quart)

Roasted Squash and Leek Soup from Formaggio Kitchen ($6/ serving)

With a choice of:

Buttermilk Biscuits with Parsley and Sage or Double Corn Cornbread with Honey and Fresh Thyme from Flour Bakery ($2.95/biscuit $9/cornbread loaf)

A slather of Sofra’s house made crème fraîche butter with honeycomb will go perfectly with the biscuits.  ($9/pint)

For the cornbread and dinner rolls I’d serve Hi Rise’s own cultured butter. ($8.50/8oz)

Turkey & Vegetarian Main:

If you want to cook a little then pop in to Pantry, in Brookline. Pantry has everything measured and ready for you recipe, ingredients and all.  Their Turkey Roulade recipe serves two and all you have to do is pop in and pick up all the elements of the dish portioned out and all ready to go.  The Turkey Roulade and Cranberry Cornbread Stuffing with Mushroom Gravy and Green Beans ($24) is for two people. Each “Recipe Kit” is pre-portioned, locally sourced when possible, and simple to prepare. 

Wilson Farm is happy to cook the entire turkey dinner for you.  Thanksgiving “to go” includes a 10 to 12 pound Plainville Farm turkey, 2.5 pounds of mashed potatoes, butternut squash, traditional bread stuffing and 2 pounds of green beans almondine. There’s also a 16 ounce jar of Wilson Farm cranberry sauce, two 13oz. turkey gravy and 12 soft dinner rolls. Then just in case your guests have room included is a nine-inch, pumpkin pie. (serves 6-8 hungry adults $129)

We have, despite my initial trepidation, become a family that fries their turkey. If you, like me, are afraid of a huge bubbling vat of vegetable oil, let Summer Shack fry your turkey for you ($95/8-10 people) and it comes with gravy. Roasted turkeys and sides are also available.

The vegetarian guests would get a generous slice of Butternut Squash Phyllo Pie with Gruyere from Sofra ($22 serves 4-6)

One gravy is good but more gravy is better.  Flour has an apple cider, thyme pan gravy that sounds delectable. 

Sides Galore:

To me, the turkey is all well and good but the feast is really all about the sides.  So continuing along with the fantasy menu there will be.

Scallion mashed potatoes from Formaggio (sm ($9) serves 1-2, med ($18) serves 4-6, lg ($32) serves 10-12)

Brussels Sprouts with crispy garlic, pepitas and sherry vinaigrette from Sofra ($18 serves 4-6)

Hi Rise’s glazed Brussels sprouts made with honey mustard and toopes with crispy morsels of bacon.

Sofra’s Bread & Butter stuffing with leeks, celery and nigella seeds ($16 serves 4-6)

Formaggio’s housemade sausage stuffing ($8/sm, $16/med, $30/lg)

Mac ‘n cheese from Ten Tables ($16/quart)

Since this is a fantasy menu I don’t have to choose, thank goodness, because I want both the meat steeped stuffing and the vegetarian one from Flour so there will be: classic herb stuffing with butternut squash, kale and apples as well as the duck-fat country bread stuffing with currants, winter greens, smoked bacon and shallots.

Flour’s roasted cauliflower with almonds capers and golden raisins ($12 serves 3-4)

Garlic braised dark leafy greens from Sofra ($14 serves 4-6)

Formaggio Kitchen’s haricots verts sautéed with almonds because there always has to be green beans. Because I love my greens I’ll also take some creamed spinach ($9/sm, $18/med, $32/lg)

We’ll take one can of cranberry sauce because there is always someone who wants that jelly, but then there will also be a few other options.

Condiments:

Maple onion jam from Sofra ($8/pint)

Quince and cranberry relish with Syrian spice ($9/pint)

Flour’s cranberry, ginger, and orange chutney ($7/pint)

Cranberry relish from Hi Rise with apples, golden raisins, ginger, walnuts and Ruby Port (my homemade cranberry sauce always has Port) $12/pint $23/quart. 

Dessert:

A selection of Formaggio’s cheeses local cheeses (this is an all American holiday after all) paired with a little of Hi Rise’s fig and almond conserve ($12/9oz jar). 

Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie from Formaggio Kitchen ($27)

Sofra’s Candied Pumpkin Revani – Syrup-soaked semolina cake ($24)

1 double crust apple pie from Flour ($26)

a roasted pear and cranberry crostata also from Flour ($28)

Hi Rise’s cranberry crumble because I secretly love an oat crumble more than pie crust ($15/6 inch or $22/8 inch)

Pear, Almond and Golden Raisin Umm Ali from Sofra ($24)
A pecan pie, an apple crumb, a pumpkin and a sweet potato pie from Petsi Pies ($24 each)

South End Buttery’s chocolate salted caramel cupcakes ($18/ 1/2 dozen) because to some there is no dessert unless there is chocolate somewhere and for our little guests cupcakes are way better than pie.

Because there can always be pie for breakfast, I will add in a frangipane and pear tart from Praliné ($20/ 4 servings, $30/6, $38/8)

Now that is a feast!  

This is just a small selection of what you can get and I love that Flour has thought about breakfast too with treats like: pumpkin spice bread with candied pepitas, gluten-free chocolate chip and coconut muffin cake, a delicata squash, goat cheese and onion jam crostata, old fashioned gingebread with coffee glaze just to name a few. 

If you want to make any of this fantasy menu your reality- juat make sure yoi get your order in on time. Check online, call or stop in to meet the deadline.

I enjoy shopping, whether I’m window shopping, going to a few favourite stores at the mall (Nordstrom, Kiehls, Polarn O. Pyret, Victoria’s Secret (they have the best pyjamas), Williams Sonoma) or popping into local stores I love (Half Crown, Didriks, Hatched, Magic Beans, Henry Bear’s Park, Porter Square Books, Crate Escape/Raining Cats & Dogs, Polka Dog Bakery, Flock, Olives & Grace, Follain, Laura Preshong Jewelry Gallery, Art Beat).  On the other hand, a weekend at the mall this time of year brings out anything but Christmas spirit in me and a weekend at the mall or driving from shop to shop is not a weekend well spent in my book.  I tend to do most of my shopping before Thanksgiving just to avoid the crowds, but I always need a few more things.  My solution is to shop in unexpected places.  Then I can enjoy the experience.  Grab a coffee and shop for a few items here.  Stroll through a garden and pick up a few more gifts there.  Then the holiday remains something I look forward to and not something I resent.  Here are a few places to find great gifts without the crowds.

  
Tower Hill Botanic Gardens has a beautiful gift shop.  Take the family to see their light display or just for a walk through the gardens.  Then stop in the shop for everything from books for the family gardener to colouring books for your tween, ornaments for your relatives, and edible treats for the hostess.  

  
Huron Village is a fun little village to shop in.  With Observatory Hill just down the road you can have two shopping experiences in one.  If you bring the family, you can leave one parent at Full Moon with the kids for dinner while the other pops out to do some shopping.  Huron Village has: Susi, the Ouimillie pop up at Half Crown, Grey Mist, Marimekko, Magic Beans, Bryn Mawr Book Store and Easy Chair Antiques.  Observatory Hill will host their holiday stroll on Sunday, December 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.  Stop by Hi Rise Bread Company for their Holiday Bazaar, decorate cookies, eat freshly roasted chestnuts, shop, have your face painted, enjoy sweet bites and savory nibbles as you stroll and gget a holiday photo taken as well.  

   
    
 Pantry in Brookline is a great place for this busy time of year to grab the ingredients and recipe for dinner, a gift card for a local teacher, and believe it or not a few gifts for the cooks in your family (or soon to be cook – like your college student).  

Hi Rise will have plenty of wares for sale from artisans at the Holiday Stroll today, Sunday, but they are also a great stop for holiday shoppping.  Their perfectly curated wine crates and shelves with whiskey, gins, and more.  There are coffee cakes, Panetonnes, spice cakes, jams and more that make great gifts as well.  

  
Forge Baking Co. is another great spot to stop for your morning coffee and pick up some unique, fabulous gifts.  Their boutique has whiskey maple syrup, caramel sauce, gorgeous wooden cutting boards and so much more.  

Gather Here is a fiber crafter’s paradise. The gift of a class for just the right person young or old will make someone’s holiday. If you are the crafter in the family then stop in and get materials for a short project (there’s still time!).  

Praliné in Belmont is a newcomer and the definition of a hidden gem. It is a taste of Paris (some say even better than some of what Paris has to offer). In addition to being able to pick up a treasure box full of Macarons with flavours like blackcurrant violet, lemon, cookies and cream, chocolate and pistachio amont others, there are also classic French candies. There are also shelves full of beautiful dragées (sugar coated almonds), stunning tins of tea, French jams, and tiny jars of drunken cherries. For the holidays they also offer three types of Bûche de Noël (yule log) that you can order now for Christmas. I have my eye on the berries and cream yule log.

Formaggio Kitchen has everything from condiments and pasta to their world famous selection of cheeses and charcuterie. Special maple syrups, jams, beers ciders, and even little gifts like soaps and lotions can be found near the checkout counter. 

Fairs and Markets are not the church craft fairs that they used to be. You can still go to your favourite church bazaar but between the winter markets (Somerville Winter Market, Wayland Winter Farmers’ Market, Cambridge Winter Farmer’s Market or a market in your community), Eat Boutique’s pop up Holiday Market is fabulous and has parking (bonus!!), and all the neighbourhood pop ups there really is no need to head to a mall. These markets all have a great variety of gifts, the experience is a party in itself more often than not with little treats and sips for you as you shop. 

When we dine in Concord it is usually summer and a trip to Bedford Farms is included.  We spent a lot of summer time out in Concord at our Farm Share (dining on barely washed organic carrots, and still warm from the sun raspberries or strawberries) in nearby Lincoln.  We rush to Donelan’s, the grocery store, to get a quick makeshift picnic to bring to the pool after a long summer day.  On other days, we slide into a booth at Sorrento’s for some salad, pizza and pasta.

Recently, I went out for lunch to have some quality time with a few of my favourite people and our lunch took us to West Concord where newly opened Saltbox Kitchen is creating quite a buzz.  At first glance, I fell in love, and I am counting down the days until my next meal!  Thank goodness I have many more favourite people I want to spend quality time with in a fab space with some tasty food.

Saltbox Kitchen also had gluten free meatballs that looked delicious. Their kid’s menu includes a Bento Box with different vegetables daily, grilled cheese, and gluten free pasta with butter and cheese

The Burlington Marriott is in the suburbs but perfectly situated so that there is plenty to do within minutes of stepping outside the door. The Marriott has a great space if you want to just hibernate and not leave the property.  The lounge area is spacious and has a sleek, long, modern gas fireplace there is hot chocolate by the reception and once the kids get tired of reading and playing cards you can linger longer and send them over to the computers in the “business nook”.  The pool is a nice size with plenty of room for a game of Marco Polo or diving for pool toys as well as swimming laps.  There is a hot tub, and a decent workout room as well.

The restaurant, Chopps American Bar and Grille, is a full-fledged restaurant with wonderful, attentive service and plenty of delicious options to please the palates young and old.

If you are going to venture out there are some great options for dining, shopping, and entertainment.  Bowling at Kings is a great experience whether you’re heading out with a bunch of adult friends or you want to take the kids for a few strings.  The bowling alley is set up into different areas some that are more child-friendly and quieter and others that are near the bar.  We went over the summer and enjoyed a little bowling and a round of  shuffleboard.  For the little ones, there is a Chuck E. Cheese nearby or you can take a family outing to Barnes and Nobles which is two stories of books, CDs, movies and more.  If you want something a little more active, head outside to one of the nearby trails or visit Bauer’s Own The Moment for a unique skating adventure.  If you want to settle into a super comfy seat and take in a movie, the AMC Burlington is just a few minutes away.

Nearby shopping includes LL Bean,the Eileen Fisher company store and more at Wayside Commons.  The Burlington Mall has just a great selection of shops as well as Bobby Flay’s Burger Palace, and camouflaged within the food court a tasty little Indian restaurant called Gourmet India.  If you like good, home cooked, Indian food, go just a bit further than the mall to find the hidden gem Ritu Ki Rasoi.  Another favourite of mine is Border Café which has a split menu of Tex Mex and Cajun/Creole. A quick snack, breakfast, lunch, cup of hot coffee, ginger tea or homemade soda is definitely worth taking in from Clover. This unique “food fast” local chain is popular for its tasty treats, Eco-friendly “everything is compostable” practices, and rolls of paper and crayons for the artist in you or your family. Tuscan Kitchen is also nearby where you can grab a bowl of gelato or stop in for a full Tuscan feast.   If you prefer ice cream to gelato then head over to the shops at 3rd Ave Burlington and indulge at Bedford Farms.  The pizza loving family will definitely need to stop over at Flatbreads.

Burlington Marriott has a fabulous family offer for the winter.  The Family Fun Package rates are $179-$399. PROMOTIONAL CODE: MAJ

  
North Adams is an interesting little spot in Western MA.  We like to go there in the Fall for a little hike, a little art, and a little r & r.  We also love going there in the Winter for some outdoor winter swimming, some small beans family resort downhill skiing and a little art and r &r.

I have to admit that my family prefers exploring at the beach, in the woods, around cities and towns but getting them into a museum is not always easy.  Right across from the Porches Inn is Mass MoCA, one of the few museums that we all appreciate.  Their exhibits are many and varied so there is always something that strikes a chord with each one of us.

Brands shift and change over years and new ones replace the others, but there are a few that have staying power.  Remember when Pottery Barn literally just sold chunky pottery?  There are some catalogs that I have been shopping with for as long as I can remember.  One of those shops, which I now order from online instead of from the pages of a catalog is UncommonGoods. 

Finding the perfect gift is something that is important to me.  I want recipient of my gift to feel appreciated and to receive a present they actually want and will use.  Now that everybody seemingly has access to everything at their fingertips, buying the perfect gift can be trickier.  You can search for hours through Etsy but that can be a dangerous black hole.  UncommonGoods reached out to me recently, to see if I would do a sponsored post and because I have loved this shop from the days before there even was an Etsy (or at least I didn’t know about it then) I was happy to.  I love that UncommonGoods seeks out handmade goods from both local artists and small manufacturers.  They sell many products made with recycled and organic materials.  They also do not sell anything made with leather, feathers or fur. 

Whether it is for a birthday present, an anniversary, or just because you want to treat yourself to something new for the home, your purse, or your children’s room, UncommonGoods has all the best things to choose from.

My husband is constantly cleaning our iPhones and we totally appreciate his fear of germs because those phones do get pretty gross. You just can’t see the germs.  This year already the kids have started school with a coughing, sneezing virus.  This little pod on Dan’s bedside table will totally make his day and night.  I just have to figure out if I want to give it to him now (Happy Friday!) or wait until Chanukah and Christmas to give it to him.

I also love looking for unique presents for the children to bring to birthday parties for their friends or for me to give my own children.  I love this rain gauge.  It isn’t really a child’s toy but I know the kids would get a kick out of tracking rain levels especially now that we have a little raised bed growing some fall broccoli and a shortage of rain.

If your child has got the travel bug or wants to learn more about the world, this is a fun addition to their room. They can scratch off where they have been or if world travel isn’t in the budget for now, they can scratch off countries as they learn more about each culture, or maybe try foods from different regions.  The possibilities are endless.

For wedding gifts and anniversaries, UncommonGoods has so many beautiful, unique personalized housewares and artwork.  I love the birch bark bowls, tree stump rings and glasses with initials and a heart engraved on them, but sometimes personalized doesn’t need have your names etched in.  I have always loved these lumen oil projector lamps.  The trees remind me of the times that my husband and I have enjoyed in Vermont as a couple when we used to go skiing and hiking there and now the trees up in Tremblant National Park where we go for the summer as a family.  It is personal without being personalized.

What gifts are you shopping for lately?  I know many friends who are going to weddings and baby showers.  Happy uncommon shopping!

There are some trends that I could do without (like pet cafés) and others that I hope become tradition (like pop up ski lodges in the city).  In New York City you can “aprés ski” atop rooftops on faux fur lined seats in cute little makeshift cabins. Paris’ Village de Noel is more like a Christmas Metropolis out of life-size wooden doll houses with the scent of hot spiced wine in the air.  This year, Boston has decided to start a new tradition in City Hall Plaza called Boston Winter.  I was invited to preview Boston Winter this morning.

Boston Winter is a village of pedestrian streets lined with little chalets selling holiday gifts (many from local vendors and artisans), treats to eat, and little winter experiences.  You will find everything from The Boston Public Market, The Grommet, LulaRoe, Alma Knitware, Grace Oliver and more.  You can stroll through the village and pick some winter treats to eat, or warm up with something sweet to sip.  Grown-ups can stop in at Vinopolis for wine tastings.  The Urban Lodge is somewhere you can stop and linger a while over dinner or lunch.

Vinopolis has events going on every day including culinary demos, wine tastings, and explorations of different wine regions.

Boston Winter has a skating rink, that is more like Quebec’s Carnaval D’Hiver on the Rideau Canal than Boston’s Frog Pond.  The rink is a wide path that winds around Boston Winter so you can take in the sights as you glide across the ice. There is a children’s play area as well as benches throughout to relax or sit together for a family selfie.

Boston Winter opens, Friday, December 7th at 4:30 pm.  So in the meantime, enjoy this warm weather while it lasts and Boston Winter will be ready for you when winter arrives.

Wandering through Boston Winter is free, but you can get tickets for some of the other experiences which include The Chocolate Story, Vinopolis and Skate rentals.

Tickets can be purchased in advance here and use BLOGFRIEND to get 15% off all attractions- offer expires Dec 16th. 

https://www.nfb.ca/film/sweater/embed/player/

The Sweater, Sheldon Cohen, National Film Board of Canada

My Macy’s growing up was Eaton’s. The iconic stripes of an Eaton’s gift box always held something special inside. My bubbe used to work at the confection counter at Eaton’s in Winnipeg and would always bring a box of chocolate rosettes as a treat when she came to visit us in Ontario. My bubbe would tell stories of how Evelyn Hart of the Royal Winnipeg Ballet would come buy sweets from her. Eaton’s also played a part in a very important book that every Canadian child knows: The Hockey Sweater.  When I moved to New York, I said “Goodbye.” to Eaton’s and “Hello.” to Macy’s. I don’t shop in department stores often but I always go in to Macy’s at least once this time of year to look for gifts and see what is in the Martha Stewart collection. This week, Macy’s sent me a $25 giftcard to snap a few photos of my favourite finds and to help me cross a few things off my holiday shopping list.

My first visit to NYC was as a tourist and it was Christmas, so of course we went to Macy’s in to see the decorations and window dressings. It took my breathe away. I had never seen anything so elaborate and fancy. Once a year, Macy’s goes from being the all American department store to being a bit of a  fantasy world.  It begins in November with the awe and pageantry of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade is one thing and continues through Christmas with the mailbox for letters to Santa and the holiday decorations. Then of course there are the 30% off signs that have me skipping up the escalators like a toddler after a visit with Santa.

Since I tend to get overwhelmed in department stores, what I figured out is that if I just go in and focus on the brands I know and like then I don’t have a panic attack.  My 1st stop is always Martha Stewart, but then you never know what distractions you might find along the way, but by then you’re in a good mindset so it’s all good. Here are some of my favourite finds.

Kate Spade has some very cute gifts.  So cute that it is more of a “one for you/two for me” shopping experience.

Another display that caught my eye on the way to the Martha Stewart section was Stonewall Kitchen.  Stonewall Kitchen is based out of Maine and they make some pretty delicious jams, sauces, and other such treats.  This tree shaped box filled with little jams is the perfect gift for someone this year and will find it’s way under grandma’s tree.

Eventually, I made it over to the Martha Stewart section and in addition to that dreamy country-chic bed I also found these:

For your sports fans these bags are pretty fab are are these accessories and toys.

Macy’s has lots of great deals online and in the store. Download the app for coupons from your phone, or just do a search online before you shop.

There really is nothing quite as exciting as a really good gift basket.  Some fresh fruit, some cookies, a little of this an a little of that.  It’s a bit like the jackpot of the holiday gifts.  A gift basket doesn’t have to be over the top to be fabulous but you want to avoid the generic ones.  I recently found some really cute gift baskets at Macy’s with Stonewall Kitchen products, which I love, but sometimes you want to make your own.  After a recent hosted visit to Brothers Marketplace in Weston, I knew I wanted to come here to make some gift baskets. Brothers had so many great locally made gifts to choose from and I could multi-task and feed the kids lunch or an after-school snack (depending on whether I went on a weekday or weekend) and get my groceries for the week too. Kim of Family Friendly Boston and I put together a few ideas.

‘Tis the season for citrus and these mandarin oranges are delicious.  They have stems and leaves on too if you want a little rustic look.  This basket has Tea Guys’ Peppermint, Chocolate Vanlla tea, Lake Champlain Salted Caramel dark chocolate Jubilees, and some Trappestine fudge.

February 2nd is La Chandeleur, a French holiday. Some say the holiday celebrates the sun and longer days of sunlight ahead.  As for Candlemas, that refers to February 2nd the date marking when Jesus was presented at the temple in Jerusalem. Before this religious tie in, Chandeleur was rooted in pagan traditions celebrating the fertility of the earth and the beginning of the end of winter. 

Where should you eat crêpes and drink hard cider to celebrate?  Well let me begin by saying that I think I like my crêpes and cider separately.

Okay so these are not just crêpes, but these Mille Crêpe cakes from Lady M Confections are a must try.  Head over to Newbury St. and pick up a few slices of cake.  I tried the chestnut, the red bean and the classic.  They were all delicious.

Our go to place for crêpes though is Praliné in Belmont.  They open at 7 a.m. so you can get one before school and work. They have lemon and butter, ham and cheese, lemon curd, salted caramel, and other fillings all made in house.  
Now onto the cider.  For the kids, no hard cider allowed, stop at the Boston Public Market and get my favourite apple cider slushie from Red Apple Farm. As for the grown up ciders, I recommend stopping at Formaggio and trying a variety (get some cheeses to pair with them too.) My latest favourite cider from there is Bantam Cider‘s Rojo and latest cheese obsession is a goat cheese called Aurelie. 

Of course you can also go to a cider tasting nearby with: Bantam, Downeast, Lookout Farm, Far From the Tree, and Carr’s Ciderhouse all in the area.

I love Easter.  Well, we don’t celebrate Easter but I love the memory of Easter brunches in Toronto.  We used to go fairly often to my parents’ friend’s place; they were like family to us.  We would drive a good hour to get there and when we did we were rewarded with a table of the most exquisite brunch spread with salmon, pastries, charcuterie, cheeses, spring treats, and the most delicious looking tarts.  There would be flowers everywhere and the best food you could find0. One year, we were given stunning chocolate bunnies probably from a fancy Toronto chocolatier.  It smelled divine and was so beautiful I didn’t dare bite into it.

Every year, I love seeing what pops up in local shops for Easter.  I look forward to finding the different renditions of hot cross buns.  Some have icing crosses others have white crosses baked in.  Cardullo’s is overflowing with imported Easter treats from England, Switzerland and Belgium.

This year, the Go Local Boston crew went out and about to find some of the best options for your Easter basket. With chocolates from Boston’s oldest chocolatier Phillips Candy House to Boston’s most renowned “newcomer” EHChocolatier.  We went north to find bunnies and bees at  Harbor Sweets.  We went into Boston to visit newcomer from Japan: Royce’ chocolate.  We went back out to Cambridge to scout out Spindler Confections.  I went around the corner to find some playful non-edible basket items at Magic Beans and Gray Mist.  We studied the displays at Wilson Farm.  We oggled the shelves from top to bottom at Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe.  We sought out cookie bakers and decorators. We picked up gorgeous, unique treats from Italy via Formaggio Kitchen, and here is a look at what we pulled together for you.

I look forward to seeing the cookies from Hi Rise Bread Company every year because their talented staff do such a good job creating fun and detailed designs. It was a bit too early for Easter at the bakery but I’ll keep you posted on Instagram when they’re ready.  If you can’t make it to Cambridge, we also found an assortment of cute cookies created by different local bakers: Maca Boston,  Bisousweet Confections and A Dozen Eggs.

When it comes to chocolates, I miss the ones we had as kids in Canada. I get my nostalgic chocolate fix of Smarties and Roses Chocolates at Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe.  At Easter time, Cardullo’s has all different shapes and sizes of treats that are made especially for the Easter bunny.

As for local chocolate, you can pop over to Somerville and visit award-winning EHChocolatier where you will find chocolates made by perfectionists.  The shapes are so sweet and unique and the flavours are truly perfect.  For a small chocolatier, there is a lot of work going into creating new bonbons each season and batch after batch until the recipe is flawless.

If you head up Massachusetts Ave. in Cambridge, past Porter Square you will find newcomer Spindler Confections with boxes of sparkling sugared pâte de fruits, boxes of chocolates with unique themes (I particularly like the “brown liquor quartet”), as well caramels, chocolate caramel pretzels and nut butter cups.

For your Easter Basket or as a centerpiece for your Easter Brunch, Pure Sugar Candy, goes bold with colours and shapes all made out of sugar.  Bisousweet makes cute cupcakes with Easter designs for your Easter egg hunt or Easter brunch.

You can stop into Formaggio Kitchen for something completely different whether it is local cheeses for brunch or some teas, honey and confections from all around the world as hostess gifts or for a basket that has something for everyone in the family.  Pictured above are the fondant candies that come in flavours like apricot, lime, mint, and pear.  In the background is a delicious strawberry and basil spring tea, with beautiful and delicious honey as well as a bar of Italian torrone (nougat). Pao de Brasil in Framingham has some impressive classic foil wrapped eggs as well.  Be sure to pick up some Pão de Queijo while you are there too!

Something simple but out of the ordinary can be truly special with just a little creativity and thought.  If you will be crunching on Matzoh for the week to come, here are some tartines to consider.

Cantaloupe, Feta & Mint

Ingredients: cantaloupe, feta, mint, a tiny squeeze of lime juice, honey, pinch of salt, matzoh

Peanut Butter Honey Banana

As a kid, after hiking at the Elora Gorge, I always used to get a peanut butter, banana and homey sandwich.  It’s a great breakfast or lunch for kids and grown-ups alike. Hate bananas? Substitute raisins, apple slices or just stick with honey.

Ingredients: peanut butter, banana, honey, matzoh

Not a Pop Tart

Chocolate and candy coated fennel.  It is more sophisticated version of the birthday-cake-everything trend. The candy-coated fennel can often be found in Indian grocery stores. These were bought at Arax Market in Watertown.

Ingredients: chocolate spread (Nutella, or this non-dairy dark chocolate version from Le Pain Quotidien are what we use), candy-coated fennel or sprinkles, matzoh

Apple Cinnamon Nut Butter

If you have charoset leftover from the seder you can just use that, we rarely have any left so freshly grated apple is just fine too.

Ingredients: nut butter (88 Acres has some new locally made nut-free butters), grated apple, a pinch of cinnamon, matzoh

The Classic Avocado

You can spice this up by adding salsa, hot peppers and sliced tomatoes or be a purist and just do avocado with some nice kosher salt.

Ingredients: avocado, Kosher salt or Maldon salt, olive oil, matzoh

Spring Asparagus, Ricotta & Lemon Zest

Roasted asparagus is one of my favourite spring treats.  In a hot oven @ 450 degrees Farenheit drizzle a little olive oil and roll the trimmed asparagus on the tray to coat.  In 10-12 minutes they will be done. Then, sprinkle with salt.

Ingredients: asparagus, ricotta, lemon zest, salt, matzoh

Everything on A Matzoh

I love caraway seeds and that’s my go to savoury sprinkle.  I like it on quark especially, but cream cheese, ricotta, cloumage, goat cheese or just good butter work too.  My friend Kim brought me this Everything but the Bagel seasoning and its delicious too!

Ingredients: soft cheese (ricotta, cream cheese, quark, cloumage, goat cheese), caraway seeds, everything bagel seasoning, or any of your favourite spices, matzoh

Matzoh with Lox

Thinly sliced red onion, capers, tomatoes, or lemon zest all make great accompaniments for lox.  Schmear on some cream cheese sprinkle s little lemon zest or everything bagel seasoning and top with lox.

Ingredients: cream cheese, lox, seasonings, matzoh

The Matzoh Grilled Cheese

As a kid I never understood why my mom had to ruin a perfectly good grilled cheese by putting twigs on it.  Now I truly appreciate a sprinkle of dried oregano on my open-faced grilled cheese.

Ingredients: grated cheddar (as aged as you can get), dried Italian or Greek oregano, matzoh

The Bahn Mi

Okay so a Bahn Mi is all about the bread to some but to me its all about the pickles and the pâté.  So for Passover you’re not going to get a soft white baguette but you will get all the flavour.

Ingredients: chopped liver, roasted chicken or turkey, quick pickled cucumbers, grated carrots (these are fermented carrots), matzoh

Henry has been a judge for quite a few years now and as he gets older, he takes the job more and more seriously.  For the past couple of years, he has begged me for a ‘proper’ score card so he could judge more than just kids’ choice.  Instead, since I have so much trouble deciding which house should get what, I ask him to help with the deliberations.

The Boston Christmas Festival is a gigantic and varied artisan market at the Seaport World Trade Center.  It is a tradition for many that have been coming to the festival for years.  It opens midday on Friday for the weekend and the line flows out of the Seaport World Trade Center onto the sidewalk all the way past the building.  This is shopping local before #shoplocal was even a thing.

We love seeing who participates in the Gingerbread Competition each year and what new tricks they have up there sleeves. The Gingerbread houses are all available for sale this weekend to decorate your home or to be donated to a school, hospital or business of your choice. The proceeds of the sale go to support Housing Families, an organization that is working hard to end homelessness.

Participating in the competition this year were: Davio’s Lynnfield, Tupper Manor at the Wylie Inn and Conference Center, Harvest Restaurant & Grill 23, Treat Cupcake Bar, Del Frisco’s, teen pastry chef Brianna Ficaro, Katie Stotler (of Catalyst Café I believe), Karen and Paul of Southeastern Regional Culinary Arts, Cupcake City and Ginger Betty’s.

Here are the results of the 2017 competition:

• Best Decoration: Davio’s Lynnfield
• Most Creative: Treat Cupcake Bar
• Best Tasting: Brianna Ficaro
• Best in Show: Cupcake City
• Kids Choice:  Ginger Betty’s
• Honourable Mention: Harvest & Grill 23

Congratulations to all! Henry and I appreciated all the work that went into each entry and are always impressed with the creativity, talent and patience that it takes to make these Gingerbread structures.

The post Judging the Gingerbread House Competition at Boston Christmas Festival appeared first on City Living (Boston).

I get impatient for the flavours of Thanksgiving so I make these croutons for fall salads. Thanksgiving croutons are easy to make. They can be enjoyed before Thanksgiving and for the Thanksgiving feast. I make a huge batch and keep them in the pantry so that I can eat them on my every day salads and use them later for stuffing. I was sent a sample of Bell’s Seasoning for this post, but I actually always have a box of my own in the pantry too.

The ingredients you need are: stale bread, a little vegetable oil, some Thanksgiving seasonings (boxed, dried or fresh). I like the convenience of Bell’s Seasonings. It is like the Old Bay of Thanksgiving and has been around for 150 years.  You can also use cut up fresh sage, rosemary, or thyme from you CSA, your garden, the farmer’s market or the grocery store.  Whatever you do, you must include sage for that true Thanksgiving taste.

For a single batch, 4 cups of croutons, you will need a large cast iron pan or sautée pan. If you want a large batch you can use two cookie sheets and bake the croutons in the oven.

1. Cube some stale bread.
2. Pour a few teaspoons of vegetable oil into the pan over medium heat. You just need a very thin coat of oil.  Once the croutons dry out you can sprinkle a little olive oil over so the seasonings stick more.  We like our croutons fairly dry but you can make them a bit more oily if you prefer. 
3. Toss the croutons in the pan to lightly coat with oil. You may need to work in batches.
4. Sprinkle the bread cubes with Bell’s Seasoning, salt and pepper.
5. Cook over medium low for 20 minutes and then let them cool in the pan.

Serve with a fall salad. Croutons keep in a sealed bag or jar for a month. If you make a big batch they make the perfect stuffing with the addition of sautéed carrots, onions, and celery. Then whisk an egg with some chicken or vegetable stock and pour over, soak for 20 minutes and bake.

The post Thanksgiving Croutons For Salad and Stuffing appeared first on City Living (Boston).

Leftovers from Thanksgiving Make Great Freezer Meals

The last of the feast crumbs have all been cleared from the table and you have made the soup and the burritos with the Thanksgiving leftovers.  Friends came over and shared the famous Thanksgiving sandwich with a recap of ups and downs of their Thanksgiving. It was delicious and indulgent and now no one wants another bite of anything Thanksgiving except maybe one more sliver of pie. The solution is to make an Instant Pot or Electric Pressure Cooker risotto and turn it into a freezer meal for when you crave Thanksgiving leftovers all over again.  The truth is I hate leftovers, but I also hate waste.  The solution is to save the leftovers for another day.  I may enjoy them a few days later or I’ll freeze them for a few weeks later.  The best kind of freezer meals in the winter is comfort food like this risotto.

Make the risotto quickly and easily with that Instant Pot you just got this weekend! Once the risotto has cooled you can add in whatever you’d like: leftover turkey, leftover green bean casserole, leftover squash.  The risotto is then ready to be packed up in freezer quality plastic bags or airtight containers.  Pop it in the microwave for a work lunch in December or a late night dinner after a Nutcracker show.  You can make this gluten-free and vegetarian by not adding any meat to the risotto and using vegetable stock instead of chicken or turkey. If you have some vegetarians in the family and other omnivores, just make two versions of the mixture and be sure to label the freezer containers carefully.

The post Leftovers From Thanksgiving: Risotto Freezer Meals appeared first on City Living (Boston).