The First Day

It's Saturday morning (okay, it's really noon), and I'm sipping my first cup of coffee of the new year. Can I just say one thing...Wow! What a year. Sometimes it's hard to be retrospective, but the whirlwind of 2010 is over. Gratitude is what I feel as I reflect. There were some good moments and some bad ones, but nonetheless they were all great moments.

There were big changes and great adventures in 2010. Zugar Haus was just a thought a couple of years ago and a part-time adventure. In 2010, I completely left the rat race to focus on Zugar Haus full-time. It was a scary leap, but worth every unacquainted moment.

My husband and I, also had an amazing opportunity to travel to Europe. Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Italy...it was almost surreal. I was forever changed by the people I met, places I got to see and food I got to eat (lots and lots of Brie...oh, I do miss the Brie from Liechtenstein). Most importantly, I was able to share the experience with my husband.

In a nutshell, there were accomplishments, adventures, mishaps, disappointments and travels. I don't know about you, but I never really make resolutions; I plan. For 2011, I plan to be true to myself, judge less and share more. What's your 2011 plan?

Oh, the pictures are from the December 26, 2010 blizzard. These were quick snapshots that were taken with my cellphone. Thirty-two inches of snow...yikes!

Happy New Year!

Holiday Gift Box

The holiday season is around the corner and we've been busy working in the kitchen like little Christmas elves. Can you believe that Christmas is only 42 days away?! Wow... I know this is redundant, but where did the year go?!

A few days ago we introduced our newest flavor...Mexican Chocolate Shortbread. Now, we would like to introduced our Holiday Gift Box with 4 new cookie flavors...Chai Spice Shortbread, Mexican Chocolate Shortbread, Ginger Spice Shortbread Men and Citrus Rosemary Sablés. Also, included in the box is our Cinnamon Guava Shortbread Sandwich and our vanilla bean marshmallow. Our mission this holiday season is that our customers indulge on sweets that are infused with herbs and spices.

Happy Eating!

Mexican Chocolate Shortbread

Just a quick update. Wanted to introduced our newest flavor for the holiday season...Mexican Chocolate Shortbread. It's a rich, chocolate shortbread with a light hint of Saigon cinnamon and heat under tones of Aleppo chili. I absolutely love...love this cookie.

This cookie was inspired by Mexican hot cocoa. There is nothing better than curling up on the couch with your favorite throw blanket and a big cup of Mexican hot cocoa nestled in your hands...with vanilla bean marshmallows, of course. It just warms the soul. Happy Eating!

Stained Glass Snowflake Sablés Cookies

It's November 8th and it's starting to feel like winter around here. I heard it was actually snowing earlier today...yikes! That being said, we are getting ready for the holidays. Yes, it's that time of year again. Agh...where did the year go?!?

We brought back our Stained Glass Snowflake Sablés Cookies for the holidays. We are working on our holiday gift boxes. Stayed tuned...

Happy Halloween!

Boo!

Fall is my favorite season and as you can maybe guess...I love Halloween. The idea of dressing up as your alter ego or your favorite classic movie monster is just amazing. I know Halloween *tends* to be for kids, but I can't help myself. I just love it. I love scaring tick-or-treaters and chaperons alike (I was a zombie... with a gooey melt-y face, blood and all). Well, off to watch a scary movie and eat leftover Halloween candy...So love Halloween.

I know... The pictures are a little blurry, but it's pretty dark out

Happy Halloween! 

They're Back... Spiced Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Today I noticed that the leaves are starting to turn and it's getting chilly out. Fall is definitely here...well, after all it is October. What better way to acknowledge it than to bring back our Spiced Pumpkin Seed Brittle? Our harvest-inspired brittle is warmly spiced and is the perfect accompaniment to those golden-yellow and fire-red hues that are outside. 

On a side note – As a small company, sometimes it's hard to find spare time to come up with new items for the holiday seasons. Sometimes I wish I had extra hands or more hours in the day to develop new products, but we are working on a Halloween Gift Box. There is a lot of pressure since Halloween is only 24 days away. I promise, we will be adding it to our shop very soon. Keep a look out...

Grilled Salmon and Red Currant Salad

I usually find myself being nostalgic about certain ingredients. I think I get that from my mother. Red current and cucumbers definitely takes me back to my childhood. I still have vivid memories of tea time with my great aunt.

I loved going to her house. From the moment you walked into her house, you could smell lovely red currant jams and cookies being made. She was the most perfect dainty lady and she made me feel like a princess. From her hand painted ceramic tea cups to her handmade tea sandwiches, she was lovely.

She always served tea in the living room on a beautiful silver tray. The tray was always adorned with her cucumber and handmade pâté tea sandwiches, red current jam, shortbread cookies, and chamomile tea. We sat up straight and drank tea out of her precious tea cups. Pinkies out and nibbled on tea sandwiches. Of course, my favorite memory was piling the red currant jam on top of the shortbread cookies and gobbling it all up as we giggled with each other. It is the simplest things in life that have the biggest impact.

If she was still alive, I think she would have truly loved this salad. The combination of red currants and cucumbers are just lovely with salmon.

Grilled Salmon and Red Currant Salad

Serves: 4

Grilling
1/2 pound skinless Salmon fillet
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons Thyme, stems removed
Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

Salad
Grilled Salmon, flaked
1 seedless Cucumber, skin peeled and very thinly sliced
1/2 cup Parsley, roughly chopped
1/2 Vidalia Onion, very thinly sliced
2 - 4 tablespoons Red Currants

Dressing
1 tablespoon Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tablespoon White Wine Vinegar
1 teaspoon Honey
Salt and Fresh Ground Pepper to taste

To grill salmon: Wash the salmon fillet and pat dry. Brush both sides with olive oil and sprinkle with thyme, salt and pepper. Grill the salmon for about 5-7 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness or until it turns pale pink.

Remove the salmon fillet from the grill. Allow the fillet to cool on a plate. When cool enough to handle, flake it with a fork.

Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar, honey, salt and pepper until the ingredients are combined. In a slow stream, add the extra virgin olive oil while whisking until the oil and vinegar have emulsify. Or in a jar with a tight fitting lid. Combine all the ingredients and shake well until combined.

Salad: In a large bowl, combine the grilled salmon flakes, cucumber, onions, parsley and red currents. Drizzle with the dressing, gently toss. Transfer to a serving platter and enjoy.