Apple Cider Biscotti

 

This week seems like it has just crawled by.  Every day seems to be going slower than the last one.  The reason for this is that tonight I am going on a holiday!  My bags are packed, and I am mentally soooo ready for a holiday...it has been almost a year since my last vacation!  

Biscotti makes me think of time going by slowly (but in a good way).  Those mornings where you slowly read the paper or a good book while savoring a cup of coffee and a biscotti.  I don't have many mornings like that when I am home, but when I am on holiday, I make sure to slow down and enjoy my morning routine.  It is my favorite part of being on vacation.

Lumpias: Filipino Spring Rolls with sweet garlic soy sauce

I took last week-end off from cooking a dish from Around the World in 80 Dishes, since I was cooking a turkey for Thanksgiving.  This week, I am back on the horse...and I randomly selected the Philippines!

First of all, I have to note my confusion.  It is the Philippines (three P's one L) but the people and food are called Filipino (one F one P one L).  Very confusing spelling!

Next, I noted my dismay at not paying closer attention to what a former Filipino coworker took for lunch every day, and for not asking more questions.  She always had the best smelling food!

The Filipino dish that I prepared is called 'Lumpias'.  They are basically spring rolls...with a unique Filipino twist.  For one thing, they are wrapped in a crepe-like wrapper.  From my understanding, they can be filled with a variety of fillings.  For simplicity, I went with the Epicurious (Mark Bittman) recipe.

Pumpkin Spice Margaritas

I know what you're thinking...pumpkin and tequila?  How could that possibly work together?  I promise you, I didn't bump my head, this drink actually really works!  The tequila takes on an almost Kahlua-like flavor to me.  It was a really nice after-dinner coffee-liquor drink.

Apple Cinnamon Waffles with Maple-Spiced Yogurt and Sauteed Apples

It feels like I have been MIA this past week!  Last week-end was Canadian Thanksgiving, and I spent a lot of time cooking a turkey and fixings.  This year I brined my turkey for the first time ever, and boy was it ever worth the effort!  I have never had such a juicy turkey before!  I seriously recommend this recipe from Bon Appetit.

In addition to the turkey, I have also had a few duds this week.  Nothing that was inedible but just a few dishes that needed some tweaking.  They weren't 'blog-worthy'.

Which brings me to today's recipe, which came together in my mind as I was lying in bed this morning, my stomach growling.  Apple cinnamon waffles!  Maple syrup-spiced yogurt!  Topped off with sauteed apples!  This breakfast was DEFINITELY blog-worthy!

Happy Thanksgiving! Cranberry Ginger Cider Cocktail

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!  I can't believe how quickly Thanksgiving snuck up on me this year, I was actually thinking it was NEXT week-end until about Wednesday this week!  I am a little confused...

This year I am using a new recipe for my turkey...this one involves brining it in lots and lots of apple cider.  I ended up spending more money on cider than on my turkey!  I had a little extra cider kicking around last night, and thought to use it in a Thanksgiving-themed cocktail.

Chocolate and Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

Pumpkin.  Again!  I realize that in the last week or so I've now had three pumpkin posts...maybe I am a little obsessed, but my excuse for this recipe is that I had a half used can of pumpkin pie mix in my refrigerator that needed to be used up.  I am using the term 'brownies' very lightly here, because in the end they had much more of a cake consistency...not that that's a bad thing!  These guys were delicious, and disappeared very quickly!

Italy: Mozza-Filled Risotto Croquettes

As previously mentioned, this week-end was filled with great Italian food...we made a trip to the Italian Deli in town and had lunch, which is always wonderful, and had Italian cocktails.  So for my third Around The World In 80 Dishes week, I thought I would do an Italian dish....Arancini di Riso.

This Italian dish comes from Sicily, and the translation means 'little oranges'.  I am NOT a fan of oranges, so I was pleased to discover that they are called this because they resemble little oranges.  These appetizers are actually balls of risotto filled with mozzarella and fried.  Now that sounds like a dish I could appreciate!