Achieving tree.
- At November 4, 2009
- By Molly Chester
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5
Well, there we have it. Ever since my mom dressed me as a homemade strawberry, I have loved full regalia on Halloween. This year, as my husband put it, “Molly achieved tree.” On my head sits an over-sized bird’s nest. If this tree is built to scale, whatever gigantic bird laid those eggs must have swayed that tree like a rubber spatula. And check out the legs on that strawberry. I bet Tigger got a little spring in his step when he saw that outfit. (See picture.)
Our southern California neighborhood came out in full force this year. Downstairs neighbor Travis dressed as a Banana. Floating high above the crowd, his banana stem acted as a beacon for all forgotten fruits. Nicole & Dino went as a very cute Bert an’ Ernie. The Rivera family teamed up as the cast of Alice in Wonderland, and John rocked a Cop costume, complete with bullet-proof vest. I find nothing more enjoyable then hanging in my courtyard with my neighbors. It looks like Bert n’ Ernie were having a good time, too.
I have been recipe testing like a crazy person lately. Since Halloween was pot luck and the nature of pot luck is the unknown, I cashed the opportunity to try out a few new recipes: Creamy Corn Chili, Mulled Apple Cider and Maple Syrup Carrot Cake with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting. It was a good day. All three turned out. Lucky for my neighbors.
Given that all three recipes are for the cookbook, I am going to hold out on you, but I’ve got another post-halloween treat of a beverage that I discovered while dressed as a tree.
For starters, I’m not much of a drinker. Alcohol usually makes me feel like I ate a whole grocery store cake with extra icing, which offers a hangover surprisingly similar to a bottle of vodka. Plus, I experienced Lost in Woonsocket, a beautiful film about alcoholism that my husband directed. A haunting story that reminds me to serve something non-alcoholic at parties. It’s for real. Just like a single cube of tofu breaks out my face like a 13 year old, I watched a single sip of alcohol turn a normal human being into a drunk.
Of course many, myself included, enjoy the occasional celebratory drink or two, thankfully unharmed. And while in New York for culinary school, I learned about the delights of sake. Light, fresh and not overly sweet, sake is a fermented rice alcoholic beverage that you sip rather than glug. It’s tasty and warm. Special and delicious. Slow…
I mentioned recipe testing Mulled Cider, right? Dots connecting… You’re right! I made sake spiked mulled ciders for myself and my neighbors to rave reviews. Just an inch of sake, fill it up with warm crock-pot cider and enjoy! Plus since you mix each glass to order, there is an entire pot of mulled cider for anyone who is opting out. Someday I will certainly pass along my mulled cider recipe, but for now, here’s two links to other sites I trust for inspiration:
Eating Well Magazine – Fireside Mulled Cider
Cooking Light – Hot Mulled Cider
May your fall be filled with warm cups of cider…
xo – Organic Spark
Erin
With the world of sorrow that alcohol can bring, thanks for remembering those who choose to opt out!
Jen Wittman
How can you use the words, "Maple Syrup Carrot Cake," and not include that recipe!?! I must know how that is made. Please share. Love the blog, love the costume, love the Molly.
madness rivera
That strawberry suit kills me. But the tree suit killed! It was the hit of the party, Mol, for reals. So good.
Molly Chester
Erin – Thank you for your kind words.
Jen – It's coming! I promise! Looking forward to Thanksgiving with you guys!
And Madness – I knew you'd like the strawberry suit. :)
A warm hug of a scent. @ Organic Spark
[…] year about this time, I posted a blog mentioning Mulled Cider, but I didn’t share the recipe. Cruel. At the time, the cider was headed for our cookbook; […]