Cheese toasties are one of the best comfort foods the British Isles have to offer. They’re not unlike their American counterparts, the grilled cheese, but it’s kinda like Zebras and Donkeys. Kinda similar, but completely different animals.
I know, I know. I’m on a British kick lately. Yes, my blog is dedicated to Tex-Mex and Southern food. But this is a Texan British household, so just as often British favorites make it to our table.
In my last post, I waxed on poetic about the joys of an electric tea kettle. I said in that post how I’d never seen one until I moved to England.
That’s kind of not true. I had seen them. They’re in Wal-Mart and Target, and even Bed, Bath and Beyond. I just didn’t know what they were, or why I would need one.
True story about tea: When we lived in the UK, I took a misstep at the top of a very tall flight of metal stairs, and ended up falling down the entire flight. It was as painful as you imagine. The first step in first aid on the part of my British co-workers? A sugary, milky, strong cup of tea. I kid you not. As far as Brits are concerned, TEA FIXES EVERYTHING. And 99% of the time, they’re right.
These Mango Maple Muffins are an inspiration provided by my brother-in-law, Chris. He came to spend this Christmas with us. It was our first Christmas entirely at home, and it was more than wonderful to spend it with him.
Chris lives in London. And because he lives in London, we hardly ever see each other. We spent the entire holiday playing games (don’t get me started on the 3-day debate on whether it’s Rummi-cub or Rummi-CUBE.. for the record, I’m in the Rummi-Cube camp), eating chocolate and good food, and catching up. Pure heaven.
One of the best things about winter eating is soup, and one of the best things about winter eating in my kitchen is Bean, Bacon and Ham soup. I don’t know about you, but I always want Ham when it comes to holidays. But even when I buy the smallest spiral ham I can find, James and I are left with days and days of leftovers.
I’m sorry, but are Candy Cane Kisses pretty much the bomb diggity of Christmas candy, or what? Look at the center of that cookie bite. Just look at it! An entire kiss, wrapped in dark chocolatey cookie goodness, people.
I pretty much buy Candy Cane Kisses in bulk when they show up at Target. White chocolate and peppermint? I’m so there. Luckily, so is my bestie, Maggy.
When I was a kid, I had this favorite movie around Christmas time, simply called “Santa Claus”. I don’t remember a lot about the movie now, I haven’t seen them show it in years. But what I do remember is that one of the main characters was a homeless child. And the one scene I remember vividly, is that he was hungry. And a girl in a big, beautiful house saw him, and made him a plate, with roast beef, and rolls and took it out to him on Christmas Eve.
Tell you what – Migas are kind of a mess to look at. But in that good, ooooh look at all those lovely yummy bits sort of way.
What are Migas, you ask? Well, they’re a Tex-Mex breakfast food. Corn tortilla strips are fried in oil with a touch of salt until lightly crispy, then whipped eggs, and if you fancy it – peppers, onions, and cheddar cheese – are added and scrambled together. Traditionally they are served with fried potatoes and refried beans (which I promise, aren’t really fried at all, so as not to completely terrify your arteries with my description).
Despite their name, Mexican Wedding Cookies are popular in San Antonio for more than just weddings. In fact, I’ve long thought of these delicious little morsels of win as a Christmas cookie, not a wedding one.
Now, there are lots of different versions of this little cookie. In fact, I think Russian Tea Cakes are pretty much identical, bar one thing: the nuts. Russian Tea Cakes call for Walnuts. Mexican Wedding Cookies call for Pecans.
I made this gluten free apple and pear cobbler for Lucas. Who is Lucas, you ask? Lucas is my cousin. I was 18 when Carson was born, and 20 when Lucas was born. For a time I helped my aunt out a few days a week with both the boys. My favorite memory of Lucas …
