First came baking with white chocolate, followed by apples, and Zarah Maria's lovely Spice last week. Next January 7th, for the first Sugar High Fridays event of the new year--that always fun glucose-happy event created by everyone's favorite Canadian baker, Mademoiselle Jennifer of Domestic Goddess-- I'll have the priviledge of hosting #4 and I could not be happier!
For my theme I've chosen--drumroll--NUTS! I've always been a little squirrel and never met a nut I did not like. Hazelnuts, Peanuts, Walnuts, Almonds and Brazil nuts were my favorites as a child. Later came Pistachios, Pecans, Macadamia Nuts and Pine Nuts.
Nuts are not only good for you but also delicious and lots of fun to cook and bake with. Think muffins, scones, biscotti, torrone, strudel, tartlets, brittle, pudding, fritters, dumplings, tortes, cakes, tarts, cookies, pies, filled pastries and confections.
When it comes to baking, as far as I'm concerned, there are very few things that can not benefit by the addition of a little nut here or there or even a whole bag of the precious things.
Can you think of Banana Bread without a walnut? Or pecan pie without massive amounts of beautiful pecans? How about almond tarts without the loads of crispy roasted almonds? Ha! I know for a fact I love a brownie more if it has walnuts or pecans in it.
Even fudge is better with a nut or two. And what about shortbread and haroset? Yum! Turkey stuffing? Ok, I'm reaching with the turkey but you get my drift. ;-)
It is up to you how nutty you want to get. You may use a single nut focused recipe--whether from a book, magazine, tv show, family recipe or brand spanking new creation--or go absolutely bonkers and use a variety of nuts--nut oils, powder, paste and essence are all okay too-- or even submit multiple goodies.
If you are a blogger post the recipe on your site on the 7th and send me the permalink. If you are not a blogger just email me your recipe and a picture if you have it. I'll post it on SBV for you.
In any case, send me your link to your post or entry via email on Friday, January 7th, 2005--or the next morning at the latest. I'll gather all the entries and post a round-up within a day or two. So join in the nutty fun, will ya? See you next year!
