Monday, December 20, 2010

Holiday Baking & Savoring 2010


As the year comes to a close, I can't help but reflect on the many memories and experiences that filled the past 365 days of 2010. An uplifting realization of my passion for baking and cooking stands out powerfully- accompanied by many a cookbook purchased, countless hours of Food Network programming being watched, many a dessert and meal created and shared with the ones I love, and the prevalence of food on my mind. I'm sure it's been said before, but the endless possibilities that baking and cooking presents is exciting, almost magical. This magical aspect of food is heightened for me during the Christmas Season, as festive flavors and smells begin to fill my kitchen. There's nothing I look forward to more than my Mother's holiday baking and my Father's holiday cooking. The combination of the pair is so nostalgic, taking me back to Christmas memories from when I was a little boy. The amount of care and passion my parents put into the food they prepare every Christmas is an inspiration to me, and my culinary explorations. Coming home from college to a fully decorated home, complete with the Christmas Tree whose ornaments tell a thousand stories, always puts a smile on my face.
Even more, the Hazelnut Crescent Moons, Shortbread Drops with Jam, Cranberry, Almond & Pistachio White Chocolate Bark, and Pannetone Bread Pudding add to this smile. With the bar set high by my Mother's baking, I set to work on my own holiday baking endeavors. I embrace this time of year as it is my 1 month of relaxation from the school year (where I don't have to worry about school, about the next idea for an advertisement I have to come up with). More importantly, it's when I can put 100% focus and attention to my family, my friends, and to baking my favourite desserts. I can get lost in Bon Appetit Magazine, watching Diners, Drive In's, and Dives with my girlfriend Jacquelyn, drooling over the envious dishes flaunted on Best Thing I Ever Ate, and over my catalog of Food Blogs from which I draw much inspiration. This is my first blog post, so forgive me if it's a little rusty, or lacking some oomph. Hopefully going to college to be a Copywriter will help with my writing of these posts, wish me luck!
Below are photographs and recipes that I've undertaken over the past week or two. Recipes will absolutely follow.

Here's to many more blog posts dedicated to my passion for baking, and to sharing what I love with the online food-world. May 2011 be filled with delicious, captivating, and memorable meals.

Happy New Year!