Gingerbread Men

Hello guys! First things first. I want to wish you guys happy winter holidays! 

It's been a while. A long long long while. I am so sorry for not updating, maybe some other time, when I feel the right words, I will share my thoughts on this matter. But not today! Because it is holidays and no one is interested in lyrical digressions. And honestly, after half a year break I have a feeling like I am writing a post for a first time - I don't know where to start at, I don't have the right words and I feel like I am a first-former without knowing an alphabet.

I haven't been baking lately except for my date sweetened oatmeal cookies, that became a must on my kitchen, and occasionally some birthday cakes for my relatives. And to be honest, I wasn't planning Christmas baking this year. But as it turned out, I couldn't imagine winter holidays without baking. It just didn't feel right! I literally had an urge to bake, bake, bake. 

What does smell like Christmas? Bingo! Gingerbread Man. I've been baking gingerbread every Christmas. And it even never occurred to me that I can share the recipe, because it seems that everyone knows it, even children. But these cute little gingerbread men are so good! The recipe always works well, it is easy and fun to make and the smell...they smell like Christmas!

Date Sweetened Oatmeal Cookies

"It's been a long day without you, my friend
And I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
We've come a long way from where we began
Oh, I'll tell you all about it when I see you again
When I see you again

Damn, who knew?
All the planes we flew
Good things we've been through
That I'll be standing right here talking to you
'Bout another path
I know we loved to hit the road and laugh
But something told me that it wouldn't last
Had to switch up
Look at things different see the bigger picture
Those were the days
Hard work forever pays
Now I see you in a better place"

"See You Again" - Wiz Khalifa

Apple Cinnamon French Toast

I wasn't going to publish this recipe, because there is no actual recipe. The first time I made french toast I didn't follow any recipe, I just measured everything with my accurate eye. But, gosh! I didn't expect it to be so damn good! And this is the best part of it! It is ridiculously simple and quick in the making. You don't have to be a great cook to fry a slice of bread, after all! But you can and even have to experiment here. Replace cinnamon and sugar with shredded coconut or almond flakes. Use pears or peaches instead of apples. Serve your french toast with fresh berries or bananas and chocolate sauce. I gave you in this "recipe" just the approximate measurements and directions. But it lets you interpret and improvise. So, go ahead and make your perfect french toast for brunch.

Apple Meringue Pie

Usually it takes me a while to make up a post. First, I think what kind of pastry exactly I want. Whether it is gonna be a pie, a cake, cupcakes or just muffins and maybe some dessert?  Then I go further with flavors. Depending on time of the year and on components I have at the moment. Is it gonna be chocolaty or fruity, luscious or with a hint of tart flavor? When I am done here, I start creating the recipe. Make the crust sweet or neutral? Add cinnamon or leave it out. Finally, when I have the recipe written down, the most difficult part begins. Shooting. Though I have my instagram account for a year now and this blog is almost 8 month old I still have a lot of difficulties with food styling. It may seem that everything is done with such a great ease. But I want to disabuse you. I can say even more! The more I learn the more difficult it becomes every time! I remember my first posts, when I didn't stuff my head with such details as composition, styling, light, photo editing. I mean, I did, of course. But not as over scrupulous as I do now! Not to mention all the tableware thing (food bloggers, you know what I mean)! 

Star Anise, Cardamom & Cinnamon Buns

These buns were an experiment that turned out to be a revolution of flavours! I was planing for a long time to bake classic cinnamon rolls. But then one morning has changed my plans. We went to the Christmas fair and by pure accident (don't believe it!))) found ourselves by the desk with spices. There were all spices I know and even more of those that are still unfamiliar. Do I have to tell you what happened next? ;) I tried to keep myself in hand (and I did pretty well!), however I left the fair very cheered up . And the reason for that wasn't just the best mulled wine I have ever had that day (shh.... it might)).

Later that day when I got home, I was beyond excited to have a package of spices in my hands and the idea of using them in my head. This is how the recipe was born. For clarity, all of the buns were eaten during 1,5 days!  I think the fact speaks for itself . I wish I could put the smell of anise into photos! The technology hasn't gotten that far, so you have an excuse to make the buns and fill with this incredible smell your kitchen.