The flurries have started to fall from the winter skies and there’s definitely a chill in the air! Throw another log on the fire, settle back with a warm cup of hot chocolate or a holiday spirit and celebrate the season with great food, family and friends!

There’s no need to get stressed for the holidays when it comes to entertaining. The value in a holiday gathering is the opportunity to see friends and family that you may not have had the chance to connect with for a while. Focus on the conversation and friendship, and remember that sometimes a casual meal is much more inviting and delicious than a formal, sit-down dinner party.

For your holiday entertaining, why not make a fabulous home made pizza on Emile Henry’s new pizza stone?

It makes perfect pizza every time. Experiment with your favourite toppings, or be adventurous and add some new toppings in honour of the holiday season. We’re also pleased to offer some great tips for holiday entertaining, napkin folding, dessert parties, making gingerbread houses, and we once again feature Kristin’s famous shortbread recipe. Be sure to watch for our weekly Holiday Gift Giving Guides, one and two - to help with holiday shopping ideas for your favourite chef. We hope to see you in the store over the holiday season, and as always, I send my warmest wishes to you, your family and friends, for a wonderful holiday season!

In this Issue

• Culinary Events and News
• Did you know?
• Emile Henry’s New Pizza Stone
• Fun Kitchen Toys
• Entertaining Ideas - Buffets, Cocktail Parties & Gingerbread Houses
• Host a Dessert Party

Culinary Events and News

Saturday, December 11th - Meet the Author
Maria Filice, Book Signing and Demo, food tasting
11am - Cookies for the Holidays
2pm - Bruschetta, Cu-chetta Appetizers for the Holidays. 
Breaking Bread in L'Aquila by Maria Filice
www.foodandfate.com

CONGRATULATIONS TO:
PJ Finestone, the November winner of a $100 FROM THE KITCHEN TO THE TABLE gift certificate

December Subscriber Draw
All subscribers to our electronic newsletter during the month of December will be entered to win an Emile Henry Pizza Stone (value $49.99).
Subscribe to Secrets from our Kitchen

Did you know?

• Sfincione is a thick Sicilian pizza that is traditionally served on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and Good Friday.
• Panettone is the traditional Christmas cake of Milan, Italy.
• A traditional Italian Christmas Eve menu includes a selection of up to seven (7) fish dishes, as well as pasta.
• Plum pudding dates back to 1670 when it was made from meat broth, chopped cow tongues, raisins, fruit juice, wine and spices. The world “plum” refers to the swelling of the raisins when cooked.
• Christmas crackers are said to have been invented in 1847 by a London confectioner as a promotional way to sell his bonbons. He was inspired to add the crackle effect after he had thrown a log on the fire.
• Panforte is an Italian dessert, similar to gingerbread and made with hazelnuts, honey and almonds.
• ’Nog’ is an English word for strong ale, and eggnog was said to be originally made with ale.
• A “Tom & Jerry” is a popular variation on eggnog that includes brandy instead of rum.

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Emile Henry Pizza Stone

Make Pizza at Home

The Emile Henry Pizza Stone is made of all natural materials and is manufactured using Emile Henry's proprietary Flame® technology. The Pizza Stone can withstand high oven temperatures. The glaze is micro-crazed contributing to crispy well-baked crusts, just like a pizza oven. If the Pizza Stone is used on the stovetop, heat slowly and place on the largest burner. You can cut directly on the glazed pizza stone without damaging or scratching the surface. The Pizza Stone is easy to clean with soap and water and is dishwasher safe.

Designed for Use in all Ovens and on the Grill

Can be used in conventional and convection ovens; can also be used under the broiler. Try it on the grill - gas, charcoal and natural wood. The Pizza Stone turns a grill into an outdoor pizza oven.

Emile Henry Pizza Stone - $49.99 each

Try some fabulous pizza recipes from EMILE HENRY

Balsamic Onion Olive Pizza
Mushroom Olive Pizza
Roasted Tomato Pizza Margherita
Easy Homemade Pizza Crust

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Fun Kitchen Toys

The smell of shortbread means its Christmas!

Baking shortbread in one of our Danesco shortbread molds is a quick and foolproof alternative to rolling and cutting individual cookies. Made of unglazed natural stoneware, each mold allows for even baking at low oven temperatures and features embossed Christmas designs.

Price $17.99 each

Traditional Scottish Shortbread
Kristin’s famous shortbread recipe

The Garlic Twist

Winner of an unprecedented six industry awards, the Garlic Twist by Nextrend is the simplest and most functional garlic tool available, and unlike a garlic press, does not smash or waste any garlic.

Consisting of just two parts, with carefully designed crosscutting teeth to do the hard work for you, the Garlic Twist makes it easy to get perfect minced garlic in seconds.

$19.99 each

Slicing up pizza for the family!

With an extra wide, curved blade, the Endurance RSVP Pizza Cutter lets you deliver a rocking motion for cutting through pizza crusts with ease. The stainless steel blade is dishwasher safe and turns your kitchen into a pizzeria!

$14.99 each

Add a little dip this holiday season!

Perfect for holiday entertaining, or great as a hostess or teacher’s gift. Gourmet du Village’s cranberry colour Bistro Dip Chiller set holds 1 cup of dip.

Each set includes a seasoned dip mix -- enough to make 2 cups of dip.

From $12.95 each

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Entertaining Ideas for the Holidays

Host a Cocktail Party

• Be sure to include a variety of food choices -- finger foods, hot and cold dishes, vegetarian & meat/fish options.
• Plan on 7-8 pieces of food per person, per hour.
• Plan the traffic flow by including various food & drink stations throughout your home.
• Place food & drink stations in lower traffic areas, to avoid congestion.
• Set the mood with ambient lighting & music.
• Be sure to have a coffee/tea station (and perhaps a dessert table) to wind down the evening.

Lay it out buffet style!

• If possible, set a buffet table in the middle of the room so guests can access it from both sides.
• For maximum visual impact, use a variety of different platters, bowls and serving dishes, in a multitude of colours and shapes.
• Using different heights to display different dishes makes the table look so much more interesting and gives each dish a chance to stand out from the rest.
• Because guests will probably be serving themselves, make sure serving portions are pre-cut, and in manageable sizes.
• Don’t forget to include cutlery, condiments & serviettes at the buffet table.
• Set up a beverage station away from the buffet table, to avoid congestion.

Tips for Building a Gingerbread House

• Use parchment paper to roll out dough, and to transfer and bake your pieces.
• Try cutting your dough using a pizza cutter -- the best way to get straight lines.
• If your dough gets too tough to roll out, simply place in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make it more pliable.
• Make stained glass windows by breaking up hard candy and sprinkling in the “window” before baking.
• Rice Krispie Treats can be shaped into great bushes & trees.
• Pretzel sticks are perfect for logs, poles, tree branches and beams.
• Crushed nuts make wonderful “gravel” walkways.
• Try using cotton candy to give the impression of smoke rising from the chimney.

Dessert Parties are Great Fun!

• Make one dessert the highlight of the table -- make it a show stopper and have it the focal point of your table. (maybe a Gingerbread House!)
• Consider asking guests to bring their favourite holiday dessert or treat, and ask them to prepare copies of the recipe, that can be placed beside their creation (that way everyone can go home with a new collection of holiday recipes).
• Provide some lighter options, including fresh fruit platters or fruit kabobs.
• Pre-slice cakes and pies.
• Instead of a pie, perhaps tarts would be the better choice for a crowd.
• Have a selection of hot and cold drinks available.
  A selection of coffees, teas and hot chocolate is great!
• Accent the drink station with a variety of flavoured syrups, milk, cream, whipped cream, cinnamon sticks or chocolate spoons!

Napkin folding techniques & etiquette
Learn how to make an Accordian fold and a Cardinal’s Hat fold.
Brush up on napkin etiquette

Christmas Table Setting Ideas

Gravy Making & Turkey Tips