Gift Guide: December 2006 Archives

I don't blame this cookbook for the troubles I had getting my cookie press to work. (Any tips? I still have half a batch of dough in the fridge, but I can't bring myself to fiddle with the press again.) And I love the format of the pages, the lie-flat binding, the scope (everything from German springerle to peanut butter blossoms, an important tradition in my parents' house). There are field notes, which discuss the history of the cookie, and lots of variation suggestions, called "related species." Everything about this book entices you to open it up, pick out a couple (there are icons that indicate which recipes are good for freezing, baking with kids, mailing) and start baking. One of my friends even went through it while she was at my house and told me which ones she needed me to make for her.

To make the dough for the spritz cookies, mix 12 1/2 ounces flour with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Then cream 1 cup softened butter with a mixer. Add 1/2 cup granulated and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar, then mix until fluffy. Beat in 1 teaspoon each almond and vanilla extract and 1 large egg. Then gradually, on low speed, mix in the flour. I found I needed to chill the dough for about 15 minutes before the cookie press would work, which was a suggestion in my press instructions, not in the book (the cookbook kind of glosses over the cookie press usage, just saying follow the press instructions. Loaded up the press, held it flat on a silpat-lined cookie sheet, clicked the handle twice, then pulled the press up. First batch worked fine, but with the second batch I had to pry the cookie from the bottom of the press. Bake in 375 degree oven for about 10 minutes.

I'm a sucker for jams, so I always end up with about 5 open in my refrigerator and another couple unopened in my cupboard. So when I read all the lovely-sounding flavor combinations at June Taylor Jams I was smitten. Blackberry and Lemon Verbena? Pluot and Lavender? Pears in Cassis? Candied Bergamot Peel? I ended up with Spiced Pear Butter, Tomato Ketchup and Fig, Port and Lemon Thyme Conserve.

The spice in the pear butter is pretty mild, but that just allows the fruit's flavor to dominate. All three of us were happy with it on top of our whole-wheat waffles this morning. My husband is a die-hard maple syrup fan, so that's saying a lot. There's a pear-vanilla combo that might be a little more exotic (vanilla exotic? what?) for a hostess gift.

The ketchup overwhelmed me with a fresh tomato flavor. I chose this one to find an alternative to grocery store ketchup with all the corn syrup, but that wasn't really the right role for June Taylor's ketchup. It's a much simpler flavor, sweet and tomatoey and a lot less acidic than mass market.

I haven't dug into the fig jam yet, mainly because I expect it to be my favorite. I've been trying to teach my 2-year-old how much fun it is to anticipate something fun or yummy. I know he's too young right now, but I want to share all my favorite things, like the delicious joy of waiting, with him.

Of all those catalogs that clog our mailboxes and make recycling a daily activity this time of year, I find Dean and DeLuca is the best one for getting me in the right mood to spend some holiday money. It's all these great pastries and cookies they offer from traditions all over the world. This year I was sorely tempted to order a North African gift collection (with rose water, harissa and preserved lemons), a selection of Japanese sweets, panforte, lebkuchen (three types of gingerbread from Austria), tea-flavored butter cookies and cinnamon licorice reindeer.

I ended up with some honey bread and Christmas preserves (a French tradition, according to the web site), and a couple boxes of German Christmas cookies. The first box contained thin, crisp, Moravian-ginger-type cookies that were printed with intricate woodcut designs, figures and animals. The second box had a very pretty variety of the cakey, dried fruit and ground nut type cookies.

P.S. I forgot to mention that they have free shipping until the 14th!

I can't help but think I could probably get August to eat about anything between two slices of bread if it were just shaped like a truck. Or an airplane, or train, or car. Especially if I let him cut it out himself. I know it's a very me-specific suggestion, but Williams-Sonoma has these cute cookie-cutter sets that could make things pretty fun for toddlers. If you don't have a truck-crazy 2-year-old, you may not understand the influence these things can have.

They'd make fun cookies, too.

I can't help but think I could probably get August to eat about anything between two slices of bread if it were just shaped like a truck. Or an airplane, or train, or car. Especially if I let him cut it out himself. I know it's a very me-specific suggestion, but Williams-Sonoma has these cute cookie-cutter sets that could make things pretty fun for toddlers. If you don't have a truck-crazy 2-year-old, you may not understand the influence these things can have.

They'd make fun cookies, too.