as we eat journal | GIVING edition
December 2023 | Journal #3
The Spirit of Giving
This edition of the AS WE EAT JOURNAL reflects on GIVING - whether it is a tangible gift or the emotional gifts that come from sharing our stories, maybe at a big family feast or a quiet cup of tea with a loved one.
GIVING is an act of intention, an outward expression of energy. What we give can reveal deeper emotions that are sometimes hard to express - that “impersonal” scented candle gift might mean something like “I’m not sure how to connect with you, but you matter to me. Take this as a symbol of that regard.”
And sometimes the best gifts are ones of time spent together making or remembering memories. It’s never too late to start a new tradition.
The stories in this month’s journal reflect all these elements.
In DISH-COVERY, we explore the tradition of eggnog and how sharing a glass was a potent (hic!) way to toast to each other’s prosperity and health.
RECIPE BOX ROULETTE explores a controversial holiday cake as a symbol of generosity, connection, and kindness.
Sometimes, the sweetest gift is a sweet treat straight from the oven. In TABLE TALK, we reflect on the sweet treats we leave for Santa and theorize which cookies are the favorites of some of our featured cookbook authors this season!
Christmas Tree hunts, bailing twine, and marshmallows play supporting roles in THE HERITAGE RECIPE PROJECT’s recipe that has warmed many a winter adventurer.
Whatever your approach to giving is for the holiday season, we want to thank you for giving us the gift of you. Thank you for being a part of the As We Eat family and Happy Holidays!
A Giving Guide to Thoughtful Gifts
ART OF THE PIE VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON CLASSES: Join Kate at the baking counter to bake up a sweet & savory year. Choose from virtual sessions including the Baker’s Dozen or individual classes or the famous in-person Pie Camps. It will be your favorite foodie’s favorite gift! Starting at $60.00.
FINAMILL SPICE GRINDER: One mill to rule them all! This spice grinder has interchangable pods. That means your cinnamon will never taste like fenugreek again. Kits start at $44.99
RECIPE CARD CALENDAR: Each 4” x 6” calendar card includes a corresponding recipe for a cookie or bar from Leigh’s personal recipe box collection. Her gorgeous art and recipes will have you salivating. $22 includes shipping.
WHISKY INFUSED TOOTHPICK VARIETY SET: The perfect stocking stuffer for that whisky-loving-toothpick-chewing guy or gal on your list. $36.00
18 CHESTNUTS PLANT-BASED GOURMET SOUPS: A trio of Tuscan Tomato, Butternut Squash Pear and Carrot Ginger Dill soups make a thoughtful and tasty gift! Ready in minutes, they’re perfect for any foodie on the go. $43.99 includes shipping.
THE BADASS IN ME HONORS THE BADASS IN YOU CANDLE: The Malicious Women Company gives no F*#ks when it comes to naming their candles. Have an irreverent someone on your list, this might just be the perfect gift. $20.00
VINAIGRETTE KIT: Surprise your salad-loving foodie with a kit to make the perfect gourmet vinaigrette. $16.50
In this edition:
Egg Nogging (with Recipe!)
This article is part of the Dish-Covery series, where we uncover the stories behind your beloved flavors. Pulling back the curtain to look at culinary traditions that shape our modern palates. From Medieval Possets to Modern Eggnog While may we think of a seasonal glass of eggnog as an “Olde Tyme” Christmas drink, the reality is that the creamy, rich, egg-laden concoction is essentially an innovation on an older festive drink of British origins - the posset - that was drunk at weddings rather than strictly as a holiday drink. The story of how eggnog came to be… well, nog… is as American as apple pie.
Reclaiming Fruit Cake - Thelma's Fruit Cake Recipe
This article is part of the Recipe Box Roulette series, an innovative "card game" crafted to pay homage to the curators of long-forgotten or overlooked recipe boxes and breathe new life into their treasured dishes. Generosity, Kindness, and Connection
If you missed last month’s podcast episodes…
EP 73 From Grief to Joy: A Cookbook that became A Family Affair
Some of the books on our cookbook shelves wander in because they are or were all the rage, some are there because we’re interested in a particular cuisine. But some of there as part of our legacy of cooking and have become iconic. Join us as we discuss one of America’s iconic cookbooks. A cookbook that’s in its ninth edition and spans over nine decades …
EP 74 Finding “Joy” in My Pantry with Tex Mex Migas
Join us on a journey of unexpected joy found right in Kim’s pantry, all thanks to the timeless culinary companion, "The Joy of Cooking" by Irma Rombauer. In today's episode, Leigh and Kim dive into the story of finding the inspiration to transform some stale tortilla chips and a forgotten can of green chiles into a delicious Tex Mex dish, and why Joy ha…
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What a great collection of holiday gift ideas and many thanks for including Art of the Pie workshops! 🥧🎄🥧 🕎 🥧