Need a Last Minute Gift?

Photo: Lirk McKoy, Los Angeles Times

I read a fantastic article in the Los Angeles Times earlier this month. A gift guide for the chef in your life -- the beginner, intermediate, or advanced chef in your life.

So, this is my advice to you:
1. Wrap up your Lucia orginal teas with a lovely bow.
2. Read this article right here to identify the perfect cooking accessory to accompany your heavenly spiced offering.
3. Go purchase.
4. Wrap with a matching bow.

Now you can't blame me if you don't have anything for everyone on your list. I tried....

Gingerbread Recipe For You

I love the blogging world. I love the connectivity today's technology allows. For those of you who follow me on twitter and facebook, this should come as no surprise! (and if you don't, change your ways and check-out my website to learn how)

I also love how the nature of recipe sharing has changed over the years. Today I thought I'd provide you with a gingerbread recipe that has been reviewed by over 400 home chefs! And, proved a winner.

Gingerbread Men
"Kim" on allrecipes.com

Ingredients
1 (3.5 ounce) package cook and serve butterscotch pudding mix
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions
* In a medium bowl, cream together the dry butterscotch pudding mix, butter, and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the egg. Combine the flour, baking soda, ginger, and cinnamon; stir into the pudding mixture. Cover, and chill dough until firm, about 1 hour.

* Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease baking sheets. On a floured board, roll dough out to about 1/8 inch thickness, and cut into man shapes using a cookie cutter. Place cookies 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

* Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until cookies are golden at the edges. Cool on wire racks.

Yields 2 1/2 dozen.

Something to Warm Your Spirits...

.... Our somebody else's.

If you are in need of a perfect holiday gift for the happy hostess or a favorite friend? Then, do I have just the thing for you. A delightful blend of holiday teas.

* Cranberry Autumn Loose Leaf Tea - A blend of Indian and Chinese black teas with dried cranberries and oranges.

* Holiday Tea - A delightful blend of black teas, citrus, almond and spice flavors.

* White Christmas Tea - Mutan white tea with vanilla, almond, and cardamom flavors with a mild chamomile accent.

Gingerbread 101: The Origins

Hansel and Gretel come upon a house, a gingerbread house. The brother and sister are so hungry, and the house looks so delicious. They reach up and take a little bite out of the beautiful gingerbread.

"Nibble, nibble mousekin. Who's nibbling at my housekin?, " a voice calls out from within the candied home.

Gingerbread can even be found in opera! Engelbert Humperdinck interpreted the Brothers' Grimm fairytale with full voice and orchestral accompaniment in the late 1800's. Gingerbread has never been the same since.....

Gingerbread originates in Western Europe with England, France, and Germany claiming distinct gingerbread histories. Nuremberg, Germany, however, takes the cake (pun absolutely intended). Often referred to as the "gingerbread capital of the world," the Nuremberg's gingerbread was baked exclusively by its exclusive guild of bakers, Lebkuchler. The guild was famous for gilding its gingerbread with icing and gold paint.

Lebkuchler gingerbread was and is sweetened with honey. The British often use syrup or brown sugar while North American gingerbread gets its unique flavor with the native molasses.

Gingerbread 101: Ginger Spice

Ginger is an ancient spice. A tuber plant, ginger is found in Asian recipes dating back to the fourth century B.C. and was traded from India to Rome for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Today ginger is used in numerous international cuisines:

* Indian lentil curry

* Wedange Jahe, an Indonesian beverage

* Japan's beni shoga, pickled ginger

* Nyamanku in the Ivory Coast's Nyamanku, a beverage made by blending ginger, orange, pineapple, and lemon

European nations traditionally use ginger in sweet beverages such as ginger ale, ginger wine, and teas as well as sweet baked goods like gingersnaps and gingerbread (of course).

HINT: Ground ginger should not be substituted for fresh ginger in recipes. Horse of a different color.

Our Next Topic...

And I had but one penny in the world. Thou should’st have it to buy gingerbread.

– William Shakespeare, Love’s Labours Lost

What are we learning more about? (drum roll please)

GINGERBREAD!

Stay tuned.....

It's December!

Thanksgiving has been baked, basted, and devoured. And, now, we are on to new holidays filled with my three favorites: family, friends, and food!

Thank you to all of those who took advantage of my Thanksgiving Hotline. I loved being a part of your meal preparation.

I would love to provide even more help in your kitchen ---- make sure to visit my blog often for holiday tips, fun facts, and, as always, great food.

I love this time of year!