Baked

Hello everyone! Did you have a nice weekend?

I baked some Fruit and Nut Biscotti over the weekend - not too sweet and it can last for a couple of weeks. Not that I expect this will be sitting around for long. ;)

I got the original recipe from Canadian Living, but have made a few changes. This version is gluten-free (would never know it!) and is minus the golden raisins as I'm not a fan of them. 

Fruit and Nut Biscotti - makes about 18 think slices

4 egg whites

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon pure vanilla

3/4 cup gluten free flour (I used Bob's Red Mill)*

1/4 teaspoon guar gum*

1/3 cup whole almonds

1/3 cup shelled pistachios

1/4 cup candied orange peel (I had some left over from last week)

1/2 cup dried cranberries

* if using all-purpose flour, you use the same amount and omit the guar gum

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line the bottom and sides of a 9"x5" loaf pan with parchment paper and set aside. 

In a large bowl, beat egg whites until soft peaks form. Add sugar, 2 tablespoons at a time, and beat until stiff peaks form. Beat in vanilla.

Sift together the flour and guar gum and sprinkle half over top of mixture. Fold in, then add remaining flour mixture. If using all purpose flour, sift flour directly over top egg white mixture. Add the almonds, pistachios, orange peel, and cranberries and fold in. Scrape mixture into prepared pan, and smooth out top.

Bake until firm and pale golden, 35 minutes. Let cool in pan, on rack, for 15 minutes. Remove from pan, peel off paper and allow to cool completely. Wrap and place in freezer until firm but not frozen, 30 minutes. Using a sharp (seriously sharp)  serrated knife, cut into thin slices, about 3mm thick. Place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet, 1/2 inch apart, and bake in a 300f oven for about 18 minutes until golden and crisp. Allow to cool on baking sheet on a cooling rack. Enjoy!

Back soon!
Janis

Sunday Observations

Had a pretty quiet day today.....and it was so needed. Hope you had a lovely, relaxing Sunday too.

This is what I got up to....

Now I'm just finishing up a post for Poppytalk. Must wrap it up tonight! What did you get up to today? 

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janis

Festive Friday

Another week comes to a close...and it feels like a blur! I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Back soon,
Janis

Holiday Inspiration for Charities

How's your week going? The week is whizzing by and I still haven't bought any Christmas presents. Please tell me I'm not the only one.

Late last year, the editors at Style At Home magazine asked 8 photographers if they would submit a holiday image for this year's December issue. Something they were inspired by during the holidays. All of the images selected would be 8x10, and available for purchase for $100 with proceeds benefiting various charities. I was one of the photographers asked, and I decided to donate the proceeds to The Arthritis Society. I think this is a fantastic idea, and I'm so happy to be part of it. I hope they do it again next year!

We each submitted a few photos and, from my selection, they chose this BW image. My husband and I were in Australia last Christmas, so they do have that Aussie, summery, feel to them.

I'm happy to say, I have sold a few already! I thought I'd offer up the other two images for The Arthritis Society as well. They will be printed on a beautiful, matte, archival paper, and signed. If you are interested in purchasing any of these images, please contact me directly. I would be pleased to take your money, send you a print, and hand over another cheque to The Arthritis Society.

To see the other photographer's images, and the charities they've chosen, check out the December issue of Style At Home.  Have a lovely day! 

Back soon,
Janis

Baked

How was your weekend? Hope it was a fun one.

I'm slowly getting festive around here, so I baked the first of my Christmassy baking. Orange Almond Stars are a German (one half of my heritage) recipe that I've had for years. I can't recall where I found it, but I have changed it up a bit. These are addictive, and not quite as sweet as they sound ;)

Orange Almond Stars - makes about 48 using a 1.5 inch star cutter

3 egg yolks
2/3 cup berry/caster sugar
2 cups finely ground almond or almond meal (I always buy almond meal, as I can't grind it that finely)
Zest of one large orange, finely grated
1 egg beaten, for glaze

Icing:
150g icing/confectioner's sugar
1-2 tablespoons water or milk (I used 2 tablespoons water because I prefer it a little runny)
Top with candied orange peel

Preheat oven to 350f/180c. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, mix together the egg yolks and sugar with an electric whisk for about one minute or until light and fluffy. Stir in the almond meal and zest to make a firm dough.

Sprinkle icing sugar on your work surface, and rolling pin, and roll out dough. Cut out stars (or any shape), prick with a fork, and transfer to baking sheet. Brush egg on each star, and bake for about 8 minutes, or until a light golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

To make icing, place icing sugar in a small bowl, add water and stir until smooth. Top with a few tiny bits of candied orange peel. Place iced cookies on a wire rack, and allow to harden. If you'd like the recipe for candied orange peel, let me know!

That's it for today! Have a lovely day.

Back soon,
Janis

Sunday Observations

My husband, Robert, working on an installation for our new restaurant, The Union. Finally opening very soon!

Took a break at Dr. Sun Yat Sen garden in Chinatown, one of my favourite spots in Vancouver. I've mentioned this garden many times, but I have to brag a bit for them - they were chosen the number 1 city garden, in the world, by National Geographic in NG's new book, Secret Journeys of a Lifetime.  If you're in the Vancouver area on December 21st, you should check out the lantern festival - it's magical. 

Now, for a flashback to Saturday...

Popped by the Fieldstone Vintage Market in Abbotsford. The ladies of Birch and Bird, have once again put on a great event. If I hadn't broken a ball filled with feathers (top right), and sent the contents flying around, I would have stayed longer. Thanks to Twig for letting me off the hook. Sorry guys! 

We spent a day with our friend Paul Wood in his fantastic letterpress studio. Paul's an old pro at it, and my husband is pretty skilled too, so it was nice to be allowed to play with the big boys. Our cards are below....I did the little one, with the pinecone  ;)

Well, that was my weekend. What did you get up too? Anything festive?

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Janis

The Weekend Has Arrived

I took this shot last December in Australia. I loved the festive wreath dangling off this perfectly rusted post box. I would love to be there right now. Sigh.

I hope you've got a great weekend planned! I plan to check out the Fieldstone Vintage Market, taking place in Abbotsford on Saturday December 3rd. Maybe see you there?

Back soon,
Janis