photo op: PASSOVER seder

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Monday night we celebrated the beginning of Passover with the ceremonial Seder. Read more about the Jewish holiday, seders, and the fixin's in my article for The Daily Meal. Here are just a few snaps from time with the family while reflecting on the meaning of the holiday. How do you celebrate?

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re.CAP : merry CHRISTMAS

Bella 12.24.13

Hope everyone had a super happy holiday! There is most definitely a reason why the holiday season is called “the most wonderful time of the year.” And that is because it really just is. Beginning with the preparations of Thanksgiving dinner running all the way through the New Year, is a magical time. There always seems to be more food, more love and more laughter. It is a time when we get to indulge in family moments and memories, while stuffing our face with holiday baked goods and Christmas cookies (stay tuned), fishes and meats, pastas and sides, and tasty treats galore. Really, what’s not wonderful about the holiday season (other than mall traffic and amplified caloric intake)?

 

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Bella 12.24.13

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What makes your holidays merry and bright? Any food traditions that you look forward to all year round? Christmas cookies that you can’t wait to shove in your mouth? Tell me about it! Follow on facebook, twitter, and instagram to stay in the loop!

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12.26.13

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photo op: HOLIDAY baking

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First off, Happy Christmas Eve! Secondly, I’m gonna say right now, there has been a lot of baking in the last few days (so stay tuned for more goodies). I was super lucky to witness the baking insanity that happened this weekend at my boyfriend’s family’s house. They always go all out and I love it. They never make anything that is not delicious and not addictive. Everything they made reminds me of home, the holidays, acceptance and spending time with family and loved ones, no matter who they are. From coconut custard pie, to two different pecan pies, apple pies, kamish bread, brownies… oh dear the list goes on, the baked goods they cranked out this weekend look phenomenal, take a peek! (It's hard not to drool, just a little bit, right?!)

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And I hope you will all follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, tumblr and now pintrest if you don’t already! There will be holiday updates and photos and fun, so check it out!

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12.23.13

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MangiaMore: Aunt Lene's POUND CAKE

RER 11.28.13

There is something both classic and magical about pound cake. It’s not too sweet but perfectly satisfying. It’s dense and light at the same time, subtle in its flavors but big in memories. It’s like a blank canvas open for ice cream and toppings for dessert, great for toasting and smearing with your favorite jam for breakfast. But there is something about that intensely sweet crusty layer at the top of the cake that just barely separates, that’s magical.

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Our family has been making pound cake for various holidays forever and I have only known, my great great Aunt Lene’s recipe. We made it this year for Thanksgiving and it goes a little like this...

½ cup of shortening

½ cup butter

2 ¾ cup sugar

5 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 teaspoon lemon

1 cup milk

3 cups flour

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Grease and flour tube pan.

Cream shortening and butter with the sugar, mix in eggs one at a time. Add in lemon and vanilla extract. Starting with milk, alternate the milk and flour. Beat well after each addition.

Pour batter in the prepared pan, and bake for at least one hour.

Cool in the pan on a wire rack. And remove once the pan is comfortable to handle.

Then slice and enjoy at your leisure.

 

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Toppings or not, this recipe is delicious. Does your family have an old school pound cake recipe that has been passed down for generations?

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11.30.13

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re.CAP: THANKSGIVING 2.0

RER 11.28.13

Next up Thanksgiving at home, which looked an awful lot like this Thanksgiving last year, and probably the same as many years before. Our table was laden with butter, sugar, cornbread and brined turkey goodness. This year however, the leftovers are not as bountiful…a blessing and a curse? Check out the feasty treats. and stay tuned for a recipe or two.

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Hope everyone had a full and warm holiday. There are many things to be thankful for, and I know I've got a list.

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11.28.13

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