Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

Strawberry Cupcakes with Strawberry Meringue Buttercream

Growing up, Valentine's Day was one of those holidays that I looked forward to. I couldn't wait to trudge through the snow to the old Hill's in Ebensburg to pick out my school Valentine's Day cards. I would look at the pictures and the sayings, always making sure the sentiment was right and the character was cool enough for that year. My sister was there too. She would look and look and then ultimately chose Barbie. She was always so pleased with herself and her choice (even though it was evident from the beginning what she would choose) and that would make us smile.  I carefully chose which student in my class got each Valentine and I never signed my name with a pen or pencil. I had a special Valentine's day stamp: a red stamp of my name "Rebecca" surrounded with little hearts that I happily pressed on the back of each card.

But the best part of Valentine's Day was always waiting for me on the kitchen table!!  It was from my Dad. Every Valentine's Day, my dad would go out of his way to make our day special. No matter what shift he worked, us three girls would walk into the kitchen at some point on Valentine's Day and find roses, little boxes of chocolates and a Valentine's Day card. Of course, my mom's would receive the largest bouquet: a big bundle of red roses sitting in the middle of the table. My sister and I would receive smaller vases of yellow or pink roses.  It was tradition for my Mom to read her card and cry. My Dad is a man of few words and his cards to my Mom (no matter the holiday) always seemed to say the absolute right things. Seeing how happy my Mom was on Valentine's Day getting those flowers from my Dad is one of my best Valentine's memories.  My Mom always take the time to take pictures of all the gifts then we would open chocolates, smell roses and say how beautiful everything was.  A lot of times my Dad was not even around when we received our gifts because he was working night shift and had already left for work while we were at school, but every year, there were our roses.

I am not a big believer in showing love through material means but I know that is not what my Dad was doing. He was letting us know that we were his family: "his girls" and even though he did not say it often, he made it known that  we could always count on him. He reaffirmed that commitment every February 14th. Even though his roses stopped arriving on Valentine's Day after I moved out of the house and started my "real" life,  I still think about those flowers every year and know that he is still there for me. He is one of the strongest people I know, and over the years he has offered me his quiet support and sound advice when "the going has been tough." Maybe it is because he and I are so alike but no one can speak to me in tough times quite like my Dad!! I am thankful everyday to have this strength in my life.

I believe that the little things that people do for each other make the biggest memories and the most meaningful gifts. Make a memory this year with someone you love. Happy Valentine's Day!

Excited!!

Bonbons and Biscotti is pleased to announce that this past Friday we were chosen to be one of the weekly featured blogs on FoodieBlogRoll. Check us out!

I appreciate all of my followers. If you have not already, tell a friend or family member about Bonbons and Biscotti! I would appreciate any referrals that you can give. And don't forget to follow me on Facebook at BonbonsBiscotti.

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Herb de Provence Roasted Cornish Hens

Herb de Provence Roasted Cornish Hens

In movies and on TV, they always make Valentine's Day look so glamorous. They show couples clad in red, chatting in romantic, cozy cafes where they are virtually alone, holding hands and making coy eye contact over a dish of steaming pasta or a chocolate delicacy. After the meal, over a glass of champagne or cappuchino, there is the ever present gift of something glittery or gold. I am swooning .... sign me up!!!! There are only a few things missing in this scene: the required reservation time that has now passed by at least 45 minutes, the restricted special event menu with non-restricted prices, the over-cooked "steak briquette," and the server that is MIA because he is at the bar trying to retrieve your specially advertised $15  "love potion" of the evening. Yeah, for those of us in the know..... You DO NOT go out for Valentine's Day (Attention: New Year's Eve also follows this rule.)

As soon as you step into most restaurants on February 14th, the lure of going out for Valentine's Day dies just about as quickly as those roses they shipped in half frozen from some distant locale.  It is all a lie people; a carefully marketed and advertised scheme to make us feel warm and fuzzy so we collectively pay millions of dollars each year.

So here is my ??? to you. Why not stay home, open a bottle of your favorite wine, turn on some Frank Sinatra and cook something really special together? It doesn't have to be hard. It doesn't have to take all day. It just has to be something that you both love and that will allow you to spend time together. Isn't that what Valentine's Day is all about? Being with your loved one? Get your hands dirty, laugh, make a mess.... There is something to be said about the close proximity of working in the kitchen... You  might find that you are so happy and relaxed that while your dinner of choice is in the oven, you feel the need to play "your song" and dance like you did when you first met.  What is better than that?  This year make Valentine's Day truly your day!

Remember the motto here at Bonbons and Biscotti- Love begins in the Kitchen. And on February 14th that is exactly where you will find me and my honey... in the kitchen, with a little Tony Bennett playing in the background.

XOXO

Rebecca

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas

Garlic Parmesan Roasted Chickpeas

I have tons of these chickpea recipes stashed away in my recipe archives.  I think by now, I have so many, I could probably blog "Chickpeas 50 Ways." So, last weekend, I finally got bored enough to give it a try. Isn't it funny how some recipes you see and just have to make right now!!! I remember one night before I started this blog, I  ran out of work and straight to the grocery to get ingredients to make an amazing Blackberry Wine Chocolate Cake. It could not wait!!! Thank goodness our grocery stores here in South Carolina sell wine or my "sweet dreams" would have been shattered.  I would have had to wait 24 more hours and that was not possible. Ironically, my "OMG emergency recipe cravings" are always something involving chocolate and sugar. Ironic?  Probably not. Stress induced you say........ you must have been reading for a while.

On the other hand....chickpeas..... not such an emergency.

I am happy to report that this recipe was excellent. It was super simple and made a great tasty, treat that was healthy. When eaten right out of the oven, they taste a lot like a peanut.  After cooling a little, they have a crunchy texture that is a great substitute for many common snack foods such as chips or pretzels, but much healthier. Maybe through this little experiment, I have realized that those recipes that are stashed away are my attempt to save the best for last. Next chickpea adventure- Curried Chickpeas!

Pagash AKA: Pierogi Pizza

Pagash- Pierogi Pizza

On the passing of a really great man:

This December 28th, my family said goodbye to my Pap (my mother's father.) After 20 plus years of valiantly, fighting Parkinson's disease, it was time for my Pap to rise up to a better place. Although his disease restricted him in his last few years of life, I know that when he was called on December 28th, he did not walk to God; my Pap danced!

Pap and I.

It is hard to know what to say about someone after they have passed; to give them praise that they deserve. At his wake, as I walked around the room of friends and family, I heard one common statement; "Chuck was a character." And he was! There was no one more enthusiastic about life than my Pap! My sister and I knew this from a very young age. We used to stay at my grandparent's house when we were young and go out on errands with my Pap. Man, did we look forward to that!!  He knew everyone in his little town and they all knew him. We would stop at the local restaurant, at my great-aunt's house and the grocery store and everywhere we went he was like a small town celebrity. Pap was always dressed to the nines and not afraid to ask anyone how he looked. Even as little kids, we saw that he was the light in the room. No matter what situation he was in- people came to him; and when we were young it was as if the people were coming to us too!! He made us feel loved as he showed off "his girls" to his friends, bought us cherry soda, drove around town listening to big band music and waving to almost every person we passed.

As I grew a little older, he and my Gram were a constant presence in my life.  He helped teach me how to drive in his relaxed "Pap" way-  with all the car windows down and calmly talking about Notre Dame Football. As a surprise,  he showed up to my college football game, two hours away from his house, to see me work as an athletic trainer- something I was very proud of.  And one of the last times that I saw him dance with my Gram was at my wedding in 2003. They were beautiful.  I could go on and on.....

Everything Pap did he did with gusto!! He loved his family, he loved to dance, he loved Big Band music, he loved the NY Yankees, Notre Dame and the Chicago Bears, he loved Spangler (Northern Cambria), he loved his garden, and he loved his girls- all 4 of us.  He loved my Gram who took care of him tirelessly till the end.  In life no one is perfect and some may say that he lived life in excess, but I believe that his motto was- "Whatever you do in life- do it passionately."  And in no way did he ever let himself down...

Thank you for teaching me to live life to it's fullest.

Love Always,
Annie

Santa's Whiskers

Santa would love these cherry filled cookies!

Guess what? I made something with cherries in it.... Again!!! I know hard to believe. I love cherries! Some of my friends must love cherries too because quite a few of them requested this Christmas cookie that I have adopted into my regular Christmas baking routine. No cherry cookie will ever outshine the Cherry Bonbon that is always in the center of every Christmas cookie tray I send out, but this is a close second. I love the festive color of this cookie and its great chewy texture. I know that this is a cookie a lot of bloggers and bakers have spoken about and there must be a reason for that right.... because they are Yummy! And of course anything with the word Santa in, kids will love.

As I travel from the warmth of South Carolina to the the chilly temps of Pennsylvania, I am looking forward to seeing family and sharing in the holiday traditions that have made Christmas the most special day of the whole year for me. Although it was not the Christmas I expected to have this year, I am embracing the love from my family and the Hope that they will instill in me to start my New Year. This holiday I hope that all my readers are surrounded by those that they love and cherish, that good luck comes your way in the New Year and that your home is filled with love, laughter and plenty of Christmas cookies.
XOXO and Merry Christmas!

Rebecca

Biscotti (Unscotti)

A family recipe that is a gift itself.

So we finally get to this recipe. It is the the second recipe that inspired my blog name. My original thought, as you can read in my About section, was to name my blog after my two grandmothers. This is my Gram H's  recipe- biscotti. My Gram used to make these anise flavored Biscotti during the holidays. The recipe is her mother's, my great grandmother's or my Noni's. This recipe is of Northern Italian roots. My ancestors are originally from Valle De Aosta which is in Northern Italy near France. My great Grandfather was born there and moved here in his 20s. He married a local Italian woman who was first generation and the began their family. Together they had 5 children, my Gram being the eldest.  In many ways for them, life was very hard but they kept their Italian heritage alive through family stories and baking familiar recipes like this one. This is one of the cookies that my Gram saw her mother make, my mother saw my Gram make, I saw my mother make and now I make yearly to remember them all. It is a family favorite and a taste that is truely unique. It is also my sister's favorite cookie so I make sure every year that she has a special container under the tree.

Pecan Tassies

Every year, these cookies are made by special request for a very special friend, my best friend actually, Ginny. She waits for these cookies as part of her Christmas gift and as I learned this weekend, as part of her Christmas tradition. While not a baker herself, she does appreciate my desserts that are not "too sweet, or contain icing" and in most cases she is the first person who tastes most, if not all, of my recipes. She told me this weekend while sitting on my couch munching, that she will always associate me with a few things that I cook and then she proceeded to name them. These cookies were one of those recipes along with my pumpkin roll, stuffed cabbage casserole, and a few other specialties. That made me feel like I am making a difference in some one's life. Like I spoke about before, I am becoming part of some one's history. 

But the real truth is: Ginny and I are more part of each other's history than that. Our lives are so intermeshed right now and really for the past 8 years. We have been there for each other in good times and bad.  In the past year or so, we have been not only each others best friend but also each others unwavering support. Yes, times have been tough and much more so on her part. We have shared tears, hugs, and yet so many laughs. Without her in my life I am not sure where I would be.... Thank you friend! These cookies are made with love, hope and belief that all will be good in our lives soon. And if not we always have each other! And Wine!!

White Chocolate, Cranberry, Pecan Bites

I just wanted to share this quick little recipe. I have been getting some questions from followers about what they can take to their Christmas party. This is a great recipe because it is super simple and you only need to know how to use a microwave.  I don't know anyone who can not "nuke" something. Give it a try! Your friends and family will be impressed. I guarantee!

Bourbon Spiced Shortbread Cookies

I am so excited to be participating in the Great Food Blogger's Cookie Swap 2012. I have received some great cookies in the mail from a few very talented bloggers. I have to give a shout out to www.wineandplum.com for their delicious Chinese Chai cookies,  www.travelerinthekitchen.blogspot.com for the scrumptious Peppermint Mocha Cookies and Praline Cookies from www.sweetjeanette.com . I  must admit that this is the first time that I had to send food through the mail and was a little anxious. I typically make soft cookies or something fruit or cream filled which would not have worked for this purpose, considering one of my recipients was in Seattle. I had to put on my thinking cap.... I  asked a lot of friends who benefited from my baking in the past; what cookie that I make is their favorite? I began getting text messages, emails, and people bringing me new recipes that they wanted me to bake because they did not feel that they could. This really gave me a lot of great feedback but once again the "cookie suggestions" were not mail appropriate.

So, last weekend, after Thanksgiving gorging and Christmas tree engineering, I sat down surrounded by manila envelops of family recipes, cookbooks, and my horded recipes that I have cut and gathered over the years. Quickly, after I started digging,  I remembered this simple, little gem. I used to make this cookie every Thanksgiving in little maple leaf shapes. They were so cute and tasty and provided the perfect "not so sweet" alternative dessert.  For the past 2 years in my life's upheaval, I had forgotten this cookie. It had missed Thanksgiving.... but, unfortunately, so had I.

Sometimes, life changes and takes a direction that you don't expect. Mine really has.  From my experiences, I have learned one thing: the great things in life all come back into your life. They are ever-present. In the past 2 years, I have rediscovered great friendships, grown a lot stronger relationship with my little sister and parents, learned to reappreciate the little things and reimmersed myself in things I really love, including this blog. I believe that sometimes this circle of life and change gives you little signs of hope to keep you going. My little, lost cookie is back and although minor to most, it is a great sign.  With every little thing that reappears in my life now, I know that all will be OK. I know that I have come full circle.  I know that there is Hope. And isn't that what Christmas is all about....