2017 is almost over!
Well, this has sure been a year, hasn't it? Be proud of yourself if you've made it through the year, it's been a hard one for pretty much everyone I know, and for a whole big range of reasons. There are a whole lot of tiny things that have helped me make it through the year, but here's one of them: my heating pad. Well over a year ago, Jami Attenberg tweeted that a massage therapist told her that people who type all day should have them, and I think I ordered one the same day. I got this one, which I mostly recommend, except it's too easy for the plug to fall out of the pad (and when it does, you have to unplug the whole thing and plug it back in, which is a pain). But other than that small detail, it's great: it heats up super fast, it helps my shoulders or hips or whatever is sore that day, and it's a nice cozy thing in a world that's been hard and scary. I also like the 2 hour automatic shut off (you can set it to stay on longer, but I rarely do) so I don't forget and leave it on for days, and the size is great (though if you can find one even bigger, I'd get that one).
I'm waiting to do my best books I've read in 2017 list until next week, because I have three whole more days (well, 2 and a half) to read in, I'm not going to jump the gun! But if you're doing that thing right now where you're buying yourself stuff you wish you'd gotten for Christmas, may I recommend that you add Chrissy Teigen's cookbook, Cravings, to the pile? It's fun to browse, the pictures are great, but more importantly, the recipes totally work. I have a LOT of cookbooks, and I tend to like home cook authored cookbooks a lot better than chef authored cookbooks, because chefs always tend to either skip a few steps because they assume everyone knows how to do something, or use five bowls for something that needs two because they're used to having people wash all of their dishes, or their measurements are scaled down versions of their massive original recipes, and they don't scale as well (and aren't tested well). I've made the potato gratin a number of times and it's fantastic (I cut it in half and it worked well), and there are tons of other great recipes in there.
Speaking of cooking, I could give you a fancy recipe right now for you to take to your New Year's Eve party (or for you to make for yourself, no need for a party for the delicious snacks), but let's not pretend. What's the appetizer everyone wished they had at a fancy party? That's right; pigs in blankets! You know it's true. They're easy to make and totally delicious, and there are lots of mini hot dogs in non meat varieties to please meat eaters and vegetarians. I make them on the slightly fancy side and use puff pastry instead of canned biscuit dough, so splash out for that for this occasion.
Pigs in Blankets
Package of Puff Pastry, defrosted (make sure you buy it at least the day before and defrost it in the fridge)
Package of mini hot dogs of any variety
dijon mustard
Open the puff pastry and roll it out between parchment paper. Cut the big sheet of pastry into thirds or quarters (many of them are folded, just cut along the folds), and then cut the dough into triangles about the same size as if you cut a business card in half diagonally. Spread a little dijon mustard on each triangle and put your mini hot dog on the shortest end (opposite to the point) and roll it up. Place on a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake in a 400 degree oven for 10-15 minutes. Dip in whatever dipping sauce you like, or eat them in all of their piggy glory alone. Enjoy!
Happy New Year, all!
Jasmine
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