MrsK Books: 11/01/2017

Friday, November 24, 2017

Holiday Cookies by Elisabet der Nederlanden

Holiday Cookies: Showstopping Recipes to Sweeten the Season

Elisabet der Nederlanden

ISBN: 9780399580253

Publisher's Synopsis:

This instant holiday classic is packed with 50 recipes, each gorgeously photographed and meticulously tested, along with dozens of decorating and packaging ideas. Filled with re-imagined favorites like Giant Molasses Spice Cookies and Hazelnut Sandwich Cookies; confections like Peppermint Bark, Smoked Almond and Cacao Nib Brittle, and Dark Chocolate-Hazelnut Fudge; and detailed instructions for gorgeous gingerbread houses, cookie place cards, and edible ornaments, this is a cookie book like no other. Because the recipes are easy to scale up or down, Holiday Cookies is perfect for cookie exchanges, gift-giving, and just enjoying throughout the season. From a veteran baker and recipe developer, each cookie in this collection is guaranteed to be a stand-out, and destined to become your new Christmas classic.

MrsK's Review:

Happy Holidays equals many sorts of Yums! Starting before December was ushered in, three generations spent time browsing, drooling, and choosing which cookies we wanted to try. To be honest with you, we chose the next morsel every time we turned the page. Since a review can not be that lengthy, we tried to narrow it down to just a few temptations (25/50 was getting closer to our goal). Finally, one voice was given one vote!

Not only is Erin Scott's photography delectably delicious, your mouth will be tricked into believing that you are just about to taste something unbelievably scrumptious! Once of my most important "novice" requirements is with the organization, the language (a must is user friendly terms and ingredients), and the ease in relocating my choices. A shout out to the design, layout, and International sweetness for each section:

Very Merry Classics: Minty Spritz (pg.27); Chocolate-Peanut Butter Brownie Sandwich (pg.35); Chocolate-stenciled Shortbread (pg.40)
Cookie Exchange Party: Red-and-white Meringue Kisses (pg.48); Oatmeal Crisps with Chocolate (pg.52); Malted Milk Chocolate (pg.63)
Warm Holiday Spice: Thumbprints with Spicy Plum Jam (pg.69); Saffron Pistachio Biscotti (pg.74)
Around the World: South American Alfajores (pg.95); Danish Butter Wreaths (pg.99)
Holiday Confections: Peppermint Bark (pg.110); Apple Cider Caramels (pg.113); Bourbon and Maple Chocolate Truffles (pg.122)
Decorated Delights: Doily-Rolled Gingersnaps (pg.136); Stained-Glass Snowflakes (pg.144)

Are you tempted... Let's get baking!

MrsK

"The aroma of baking that fills my home in December

is unlike any other time of year

and heightens my excitement..."

Baking is an enjoyable art

for everyone...

Get ready to spend time

planning the "Yum" for your

Holiday!

Meet the Author:

Elisabet is a food stylist based in the San Francisco Bay Area. She is passionate about baking and specializes in styling and recipe development for baked goods.

"I received this book from Blogging for Books for this review."

MrsK's Reading Bio

Reading is important! No questions asked, not even a blink of the eye from any student I grew up with. On the first day of the First grade, we were given our first books. Day two we all read aloud, round robin of course. Day three we were place in our first basal, now known as a lit circle group. Books were so important, publishers designed new curriculum so that every student was reading by the end of the first week. These early readers had images that looked like what we could see in the classroom, beyond the classroom, even on the big screen. Reading is important, throughout history every generation has believed that “Reading” opens up the world for endless possibilities.

I adore the 1950’s Dick and Jane books. Actually, most reading specialists and experienced (45+) educators believe that every student learned to read with Dick and Jane. Since these books are being re-issued, I have heard many parents, grandparents, and students claim that Dick and Jane stories of repetition does teach students to read.

Early influences from my mother influenced my desire to read. I would watch her read and we would go on “secret” excursions to the library. The library became my playground. I owned every book I could carry home, of course they needed to be taken back to their home after visiting with me for a week or two. My first book that I could pull off of the library shelf and read was, Father Bear Comes Home. I only saw my dad on Sundays for a few hours. I would pull this beginning reader off of the library shelf every week. Every week I would try to read the first chapter. Every week I got further in the story. My mom would let me check it out, only if I could read it myself (She didn’t like the illustrations therefore she didn’t want to take time to read it to me). One day, I pulled the book from the shelf and when mom came to get me from the children’s corner, I realized that I had read the whole story. I ran to the check out desk and the Librarian KERCHUNKED the checkout card. My mother, brother and neighbors read. My teachers read. We all read aloud all day long in school. The Priest read aloud every day at mass, even in Latin. Everybody in the Doctor’s office read. People on the bus read. Dad’s waiting in their cars as the Mom’s and children grocery shopped, read. In fact, once you could read and write, Sunset Magazine considered you a reader and sent you mail every day.

Reading is important; I’ve spent my life reading. I’ve traveled around the world and into space through books. My favorite genre is whichever book I have open at the time. Children’s Literature is my passion. Book clubbing is one of the best past times, especially if food is involved. In fact my friends of old are in a book club and we are about to embark on a beach trip to “read” and discuss our newest selection.

My “home-run” book story has helped every student find his or her own “home-run” reads. Every year, I have shared my, Father Bear Comes Home, and every year my students have brought in their “home-run” books. That’s the “diving board” into our Lit. Studies.

In “Growing Up Digital,” Tapscott’s insights into the new generations enthusiasm for the Net reminded me of my generation’s enthusiasm for reading, movies, TV, parties and our driving permits. The Net-Generation, as Tapscott describes, “are learning, playing, communicating, working, creating communities, and enforcing a social transformation.”
N-Geners are interactive “techies” who are always looking for a way to “work it” verses the TV Generation of “Baby Boomers” who started out looking for “how it works.” Reading development is tougher today, society moves too fast to invest their “non-working” free time into a book or even “home work.” Since I stepped into my own classroom, I have seen students being told to read, being forced to read, and threatened into reading. Homework is not any longer the vehicle for students to gain their future lifestyles or careers with. Yet, the Internet does create an enthusiasm for learning. Since I have been enrolled in these courses, I have used the computers in every subject. My students are using the newest technology in the classroom because I am giving them investigative sites to use as they learn from each other and books. I agree with Tapscott, in order to bridge the gap with this up and coming generation we must “live and learn with them.”

FTC Required Disclaimer: I receive these books from the publishers. I did not receive monetary compensation for these reviews. These reviews have been posted in compliance with the FTC requirements set forth in the Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising (available at ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005revisedendorsementguides.pdf)