2016 Whidbey Island

Holiday Gift Guide

A SUPPLEMENT TO THE WHIDBEY NEWS-TIMES, SOUTH WHIDBEY RECORD & THE WHIDBEY EXAMINER

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Islander communities embrace the season

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

By MICHAEL WATKINS

mwatkins@whidbeynewsgroup.com

Communities throughout Whidbey Island embrace the holidays, offering a season of family fun and celebration. From Oak Harbor to Langley, you will find each town has its own annual holiday traditions. The Lighting of Langley kicked off the holiday season Saturday, Nov. 26, at Langley Park with a tree lighting, carols, cocoa, cider and Santa. If you miss this event, don’t worry. Langley will host its annual Holly Jolly Holiday Parade and Shop n’ Stroll at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3 up and down First and Second Street. A popular Whidbey Island tradition for families is seeing the Whidbey Island Dance Theater’s “Nutcracker” at the South Whidbey High School Performing Arts Center in Langley or the The Ballet Conservatory’s performance in Oak Harbor. Oak Harbor will have its fir ever “Island Ice” ice skating event at Windjammer Park. Then take a walk down Pioneer Way and celebrate Home for the Holidays with many shops that have an abundance of gift ideas. Vote on your favorite wooden soldier lining the street, a new tra-

dition beginning this year. The Greening of Coupeville is another must-see event. All of the historic buildings on the waterfront are dressed up in green bows, white lights and red ribbons. Every first Saturday in December, a parade marches down Main Street with Santa Claus at the end. The community gathers together and counts down for the annual tree lighting. “What makes our holidays unique is the sense of community,” said Vickie Chambers, executive director of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association. “We try really hard to create that small town feel for not just the tourists but the community as well.” Chambers said many of the events are completely free and the goal is to encourage people to patronize locally-owned small businesses to take a break from online shopping. Many more events are planned this year such as a caroling contest among nonprofit organizations. Chambers said a $500 cash prize will go to the winner to help support the winning nonprofit’s efforts. Weather permitting, don’t miss the parade of lighted sailboats that come over from the Oak Harbor Yacht Club. You can also have a blast ringing

2015 Whidbey News Group File Photos

Above: Coupeville’s Greening Parade enchants children of all ages. Right: Oak Harbor residents leap into the new year and the frigid bay. in the new year with the annual New Year’s Eve Fireworks show at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor. After all the holiday madness is over, you can cool off with one of two annual Polar Bear Plunges and start the new year off with a frigid splash Jan. 1 at Double Bluff Beach in Freeland or Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Tasty Traditions

Holidays bring out recipes steeped in family histor y and cultural significance For Whidbey News Group

This December, thousands of Whidbey Islanders will assemble around their kitchen tables to share with family and friends in good cheer, thanksgiving and the observance of customs both ancient and modern. Though such celebrations vary between families, cultures and religions, each shares certain commonalities, including a focus on family, and plenty of food. Growing up Dutch, Alana Koetje Morris had the type of December many children only dream of, celebrating not one but two major holidays filled with festive decor, family gatherings and a smorgasbord of sweets. The daughter of Jan Ellis and Al Koetje, Koetje Morris and her siblings enjoyed both the observance of Sinterklaas Dec. 5 and Christmas 20 days later, each filled with goodies like candy cane cookies, As in many holiday traditions around the world, goodies aplenty is a major facet of the Dutch winter holiday festivities, second only to a focus on family. Sinterklaas, or the feast of Saint Nicholas, involves some familiar Christmastime tropes. A bearded elderly gent steps out from the realm of mythology

to alight in the port of a different Dutch city each year, traveling by boat from Spain. The event is broadcast on live television throughout The Netherlands. A first-generation Dutch-American, Ellis recalled her childhood Sinterklaas involving her mother Antje van Slageren’s borstplaat, as well as gingerbread cookies, ollie bolen and janhagel. Many of these recipes Ellis handed down to her daughter, who prepares the sweets for her own children, Antje and Isak, each winter. Bastiaan Verhulst, who owns Touch of Dutch in Coupeville with his wife Janine, said Sinterklaas, the more popular and widely-celebrated of the two December holidays, is very much oriented toward children, which explains in part the expansive variety of holiday treats available at this time of year. Some of the most popular include chocolate letters — each child receives one corresponding to the first letter of their name — and speculaas, as well as licorice (the Dutch consume more licorice per capita than any other country). In terms of a main course, traditional Dutch Sinterklaas or Christmas dinners SEE RECIPES, PAGE 5

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

RECIPES CONTINUED FROM 4 typically consist of wild game, goose or turkey with vegetables and kerstbrood (Christmas bread). Dutch fare has even made its way into the Christmastime tradition of the Philippines, where Keso de Bola is often a centerpiece of the holiday feast. Keso de Bola is the localized name for Edam cheese from the Netherlands, brought to the island nation by a Swedish doctor who immigrated to the Philippines. The Filipino Christmas is also rich in flavors distinctly its own, however, as explained by Judith ZapantaBorras. She said that, as in Spain and Latin America, both Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) and Christmas Day are observed with a traditional family feast. In many households, Noche Buena consists of an even larger meal than that of Christmas. This the meal often consists of chicken, pork or beef soup with a mixture of cabbage, bok choy and potatoes served with suman, calamay and bibingka and puto.

The main Christmas Day dish often consists of prime rib or beef steak, lechon and a side of adobo, apritada, pancit malabon, lumpia and rice. A traditional Christmas ham (lechon) is often encrusted in a brown sugar crumble, or blanketed with a syrupy glaze, eaten with a side of bread or kesong puti (goat cheese). Popular desserts include leche flan, cassava cake, bibingka, ube, calamay, buko pandan, suman and puto bumbong. For those celebrating Hanukkah, both fried and dairy-based foods will likely take center stage at the table. The ancient eight-day Jewish festival of lights commemorates the re-dedication of the holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jewish victory over the SyrianGreeks in 165 B.C.E. It is said that after the Maccabean revolt, there was only enough holy oil remaining to fuel a lamp to light the temple for one day. But it burned instead for eight. Hanukkah is thus celebrated for eight consecutive days, wherein families light the menorah nightly and share plenty of delicious foods. Harkening to the origin of the holiday, much of the traditional fare includes foods fried in oil, represent-

ing the oil in the temple. Potato pancakes (latkes) and jelly-filled doughnuts (sufganiyot) are staples, while brisket is usually served as the main course. Other dishes include noodle kugel, short ribs, blini, rugelach, challah and matzoh ball soup. During the Middle Ages, the tradition of dairy as a Hanukkah staple took hold, based on the story of Judith. According to the legend, Judith was a renowned beauty who saved her village from the Babylonians by charming her way into the enemy camp with a basket of cheese and wine. She brought food to the Babylonian general, Holofernes, who imbibed the wine along with the salty cheese, eventually passing out from drunkenness. At this point, it is said that Judith beheaded him with a sword, returning to her village with his head in her basket. The Babylonians left upon finding their leader slain. In honor of her bravery, many Jewish households have come to include cheese, cheesecake and blintzes in the holiday meal. To incorporate one of these traditions into your own holiday fare, try one of the recipes on page 14.

During Hanukkah, families often dine on fried foods like these latkes.

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Stores offer variety of holiday gift ideas 6»

Holiday Gift Guide 2016

By KYLE JENSEN

kjensen@whidbeynewsgroup.com

As the holiday shopping season comes into full swing and people begin to devise gift ideas, finding that perfect gift idea can be difficult. But what if the ideal gift could be found right here on Whidbey Island? Thankfully, Whidbey is home to a community of talented crafters, artisans and manufacturers who are building products of all shapes and sizes that are truly “made on Whidbey.” With so many makers on the island, it can be a trek to sift through all the artistic nooks and crannies Whidbey has to offer. But several stores across the isle support local entrepreneurs and their products if they aren’t churning out their own product themselves. In Bayview, Side Market offers handcrafted work from visual artists and designers from varying disciplines. The art and design boutique, located in the historic Bayview Cash

Store, is a collaborative space between four distinct Whidbey Island-based artists whose work falls under fabric design, textile wearable art, print art and conservatorship. The boutique is stocked with one-of-a-kind prints, handmade cards, fabrics and mixed media items. Featured artists’ work from around the world is regularly for sale at the store. Plenty of wearable goods, or “art-wear,” are also for sale. “I think we’re South Whidbey’s own boutique,” textile artist Peggy Juve said. “All four of us are makers and that comes through in our shop.” Sticking with hand crafters on the South End, MAKE Whidbey in Clinton is another stop to make for hand made goods. Just up the hill from the Clinton ferry terminal, the shop is the outlet for owners Janae and Kelly Cameron’s successful woodturning company, Turnco Wood Goods. Much of the items in the shop are made from Whidbey Island wood, and

Photo by Michael Watkins

Whidbey has a large fiber arts community whose products can be found in stores like Whidbey Island Yarn, Teas and Gifts in Coupeville. goods range from jars, carafes, cutting boards and decorative pieces to complement any living room. MAKE Whidbey also carries items such as candles, yarn, tote bags

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and children’s toys. For those who’d prefer to make their own gifts, MAKE Whidbey allows customers and their kids to make crafts of their own while they sip coffee from

the in-store café. Langely is also home to artisan gift shops offering everything from handmade fine chocolates at Sweet Mona’s to locally-made soaps and other bath prod-

ucts. Langley’s downtown shopping corridor offers a variety of hidden treasures for everyone’s holiday shopping needs. SEE SHOPPING, PAGE 7

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

SHOPPING CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 Travel up north to Coupeville and find a variety of Front Street businesses that carry a little bit of everything. To bring home a gift that’ll remind someone of island life on Whidbey, walk down to Aqua Gifts for nautical-themed presents. Inside you can find a collection of jewelry, textiles, cards, toiletries and more. Many of the items in the store are handmade. Visit Whidbey Island Yarn, Gifts and Teas for hand-spun and dyed yarn produced from wool of animals on Whidbey Island. Find other hidden treasures in apparel, children and novelty stores as well as wine and gourmet food shops. Coupeville is also home to several art galleries that offer locally-produced art in a variety of mediums. Further north in Oak Harbor, the historic Pioneer Way is crammed with small boutiques and gift shops. One of those is Just Because, which carries a little bit of everything or “just becauses.” Hats, furniture, home decor and candy are a few of the many options. Longtime business Jewelry Gallery sits in the heart of Pioneer Way in downtown Oak

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Ticket events focus on ‘shop local’ ideals 8»

Holiday Gift Guide 2016

By RON NEWBERRY

rnewberry@whidbeynewsgroup.com

Three communities on Whidbey Island are offering residents an extra incentive to shop locally this holiday season. Many small businesses in Oak Harbor, Langley and Coupeville are participating in their own contests that reward customers who shop in their stores with tickets that make them eligible for cash prizes and other awards. In each community, one ticket is issued for every $20 spent at their shops.The idea is to lure customers downtown and support local small business. “We want to remind people that there’s value in more ways than one to shop local,” said Vickie Chambers, executive director of the Coupeville Historic Waterfront Association, which is holding its annual Red Ticket Drawing contest. “We go against big-box stores and against Amazon. You’ve got to think of the impact on mom-andpop stores.” Coupeville takes pride in being the first of the three communities to start the ticket contest to entice holiday shoppers, Chambers said. There are 33 merchants participating in Coupeville.

2015 file photo

Vickie Chambers shows off the stack of $2 bills equalling $1,000 given away at last year’s Red Ticket Drawing. “Every year, we’ve had more merchants participating than the year before,” Chambers said, adding that the contest has been going just shy of 10 years. Shoppers who earn red tickets in Coupeville are eligible for $1,300 in cash awards, including the grand prize of $1,000. The contest started Nov. 1 and continues through the close of business Dec. 17. The drawing will be held at 1 p.m. Sunday,

Dec. 18 on the steps of the Island County Museum. Participants must be present to win. If not, another name will be drawn. “We give them a beautifullywrapped stack of $2 bills,” Chambers said of the grand prize. “It just makes it fun. We have to order them from the bank. It’s probably a 6-inch stack. It not only catches your eye, it makes it fun

and whimsical.” Trying to bring shoppers to its historic downtown, the Oak Harbor Main Street Association is sponsoring a “Green Ticket Cash Giveaway.” The contest starts Nov. 23 at participating shops and goes until the drawing for a $1,000 cash prize at 4 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 17 at the Harborside Village on Pioneer Way.

Each participating store in the city’s historic downtown contains a box to insert tickets. For purchases made at participating shops outside downtown, the shoppers must bring their ticket downtown to drop in a box. “The idea is to get people to come downtown,” said Melissa Riker, executive director of the Oak Harbor Main Street Association. White is the ticket color in Langley as part of the city’s “Very Merry $1,000 Giveaway.” Langley ’s contest, put on by the Langley Chamber of Commerce, starts Nov. 25. One ticket holder will win $1,000 cash when a drawing is held at 1 p.m. Dec. 17 at Boy & Dog Park. In Langley and in Oak Harbor, participants must be present to the claim the prize on the day of the drawings. “I think the over-arching theme of all of it is to shop local and rewarding people locally on the island, and not going off-island,” said Betty Freeman, a visitor center representative at the Langley Chamber of Commerce. “It’s to keep the money here in our community.” Themed baskets also will be given away in Langley, and three winning artists who participated in Langley Main Street’s Deck

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Finding the perfect Christmas tree By EVAN THOMPSON

ethompson@whidbeynewsgroup.com

Finding the perfect Christmas tree shouldn’t be a daunting task. That is, if you know where to look. All up and down Whidbey Island, there are plenty of places to find the right tree to hang ornaments and decorations. If there’s ever a chance for a fun time enjoying the holiday spirit while picking out the right Christmas tree, it’s at A KNOT IN THYME. Owned by Jack and Wendy Rawls, A Knot in Thyme is the only tree farm on Whidbey Island that offers free wagon rides down to the tree lot starting after Thanksgiving. Prospective customers are treated to Victorian carolers along the way while drawn by draft horses. The wagons run all day Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Located on Degraff Road in Oak Harbor, the farm has trees ranging from table top size to 15 feet. It offers pre-cut trees ranging from Noble Firs, Fraser Fir and Douglas Firs. Wendy Rawls said A Knot In Thyme also has a gift shop that offers handcraft items, local products, candles, gems, jellies and holiday decor.

Located on South Whidbey, the BAYVIEW FARM AND GARDEN currently has over 400 living trees in stock. It will also have cut trees available after Thanksgiving. Brian Durham, nursery manager, said there are differences between how living and cut trees can be used and the benefits of each. Living trees can be placed as an outdoor decoration with lights, outdoor-friendly ornaments, bird treats and more, while cut trees are for the indoors and can be enjoyed for the duration of the holiday season. The farm and garden also shakes out all needles in its cut trees prior to selling them. They do so in an effort to rid homes of messy, needle-strewn floors. “We put a lot of work into the trees before the customer gets them,” Durham said. “We’ll have a great variety.” “We think we do the best service on the whole island,” he added. The farm and garden sells trees between 2-12 feet, which allows customers to fit them in big and small spaces. Available for purchase are Nobles, Hemlocks, long-needle pines, Canaan firs and more, Durham said. “We have a tree for everybody hopefully,” Durham said. There are also gifts and ornaments avail-

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able to purchase at the Bayview Farm and Garden’s Flower House Cafe, Durham said. For those looking to peruse a wide selection of trees the traditional way, there are several tree farms to choose from. There is PACIFIC WIND FARM in Oak Harbor, which opens annually the day after Thanksgiving. The farm has a wide selection of trees that can be cut down by individuals or families, or those that are pre-cut and ready to take home. On the far end of the island, Clinton is home to SHULTS CHRISTMAS TREE FARM, a family-run tree farm since 1941. Enjoy a free cup of cider and candy canes while looking for the perfect tree. The farm is located on Heggenes Road and is open seasonally 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday through Sunday. Trees will also be found for sale outside of SEBO’S Do-It-Center in Bayview. ACE Hardware in Freeland began selling “hundreds” of trees starting Nov. 22, and offers a range from small to tall, from 2 to 9 feet. The OAK HARBOR LIONS CLUB also sells trees each year the Saturday after Thanksgiving through Dec. 24 or until sold out in the lot next to the chamber of commerce.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

Dec. 2-17: “White Christmas” directed by Michael Morgen, Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley. www.wicaonline.org Dec. 2: “Glad Tidings” performed by Whidbey Community Chorus, 7 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Oak Harbor. Dec. 2-3: Whidbey Allied Artists Art Show, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Coupeville Rec Hall. Dec. 3: Jingle Trail Run, 10-11 a.m. at Camp SEE EVENTS, PAGE 11

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10

Casey. 5K fun run. www.jingletrailrun.com Dec. 3: Teddy Bear and Character Breakfast, 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., Elk’s Lodge, Oak Harbor. www.bbbs.joomla.com Dec. 3: Christmas Bazaar, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Coupeville United Methodist Church. Lunch served 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.. Dec. 3: Holly Jolly Holiday Parade, 11 a.m. at First and Second streets in Langley. www. visitlangley.com Dec. 3: Saratoga Orchestra presents “Pe-

ter and the Wolf,” 2 p.m. at First Reformed Church, Oak Harbor. www.sowhidbey.com Dec. 3: Home for the Holidays, 4-8 p.m. in downtown Oak Harbor. Choral groups, parade with Santa and tree lighting. Dec. 3: Greening of Coupeville Parade and Tree Lighting, 4 p.m. along Main Street to downtown. Tree lighting at Cook’s Corner Park to follow. Dec. 3: Oak Harbor Yacht Club Lighted Boat Parade, starts at Oak Harbor Marina near sunset and travel through Penn Cove. Dec. 3: Late Night shopping in Coupeville. Provided file photo Dec. 4: “Glad Tidings” performed by WhidTwo dance companies in north and south Whidbey present “The Nutcracker” each year.

SEE EVENTS, PAGE 12

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

EVENTS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 11

bey Community Chorus, 4 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, Oak Harbor. Dec. 4: A King is Born Christmas Program, 5 p.m. at Oak Harbor Church of Christ. A simple retelling of the Christmas story through song and narration by children ages two to 13. A reception will follow with homemade Christmas cookies, hot chocolate and a homemade photo booth! Free to all. oakharborchurch@ gmail.com Dec. 4: Navy Band Northwest free holiday concert, 3 p.m. at Oak Harbor High School Performing Art Center. Dec. 9: “The Night Before Christmas” and other holiday favorites, presented by Whidbey Island Community Orchestra, 7-9 p.m. at South Whidbey Assembly of God in Langley. www.whidbeyorchestras.org Dec. 9-18: “The Nutcracker,” presented by the Whidbey Island Dance Theater at the South Whidbey High School Performing Arts Center in Langley. Dec. 10-11: The Thanks Given’er, cyclocross races at Fort Nugent Park, Oak Harbor. www.cascadecross.com/races Dec. 10-11: “The Nutcracker,” presented by The Ballet Slipper Conservatory, 2 and 7 p.m.

2015 file photo

Santa asks a girl if she was naughty or nice during the annual tree lighting in Oak Harbor last year. Each community holds its own celebration, some with parades and tree lightings.

Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, at Oak Harbor High School. www.tbscoh.org Dec. 10: One Heck of a Holiday Ride, paddleboarding event, Oak Harbor. www.oakhar borchamber.com Dec. 10: Saratoga Orchestra presents “Peter and the Wolf,” 11 a.m. at Coupeville High

Shop the largest single thrift store on Whidbey Island. Bargains galore!

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School. www.sowhidbey.com Dec. 10: Saratoga Orchestra presents “Peter and the Wolf,” 3 p.m. at Island Church, Langley. www.sowhidbey.com Dec. 11: “The Night Before Christmas” and SEE EVENTS, PAGE 13

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

EVENTS

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 12

other holiday favorites, presented by Whidbey Island Community Orchestra, 3-5 p.m. at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church in Oak Harbor.www. whidbeyorchestras. org Dec. 11: Christmas Bells Are Ringing with English Handbell Ensemble, 3 p.m., at Coupeville Rec Hall. Dec. 16: Bowman Bay Holiday, 4-7 p.m. at Bowman Bay on Rosario Road, Deception Pass State Park. Santa, goodies, music, a warm fireside and crafts for kids. From Oak Harbor, turn left on Rosario Road, then take the first left

again. Admission is $5. Parking is free with a Discover Pass. Dec. 17: A Very Merry $1,000 Giveaway, 1 p.m. at Boy & Dog Park, Langley. www.visitlangley.com Dec. 17: Green Ticket Cash Giveaway, 4 p.m. at Oak Harbor Main Street Association office, 830 SE Pioneer Way, Suite 103. Tickets promotion runs Nov. 25 to Dec. 17. Dec. 18: Red Ticket Drawing, noon on steps of Island County Historical Museum, Coupeville. www. coupevillehistoricwa terfront.com Dec. 18: Jose Gonzales Trio plays Vince Guaraldi’s

“A Charlie Brown Christmas,” 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley. www.wica online.org Dec. 18: Free Messiah Presentation, 11 a.m. at Coupeville United Methodist Church. The church choir will perform selections from Handel’s Messiah, including soloists, harpsichord, and musicians from the Saratoga Orchestra on strings, trumpet and tympani.www.coupe villeumc.com Dec. 26-31: Island Ice, Oak Harbor’s ice skating adventure, 2-7 p.m. at Windjammer Park. Cost is $7 per person for two hours of skating. Dec. 31: “Can Can Confetti-A New

WICA Hol i da y Ha p p en i n g s! Holiday Sale 30% off OPEN MON - FRI 10 - 5, SAT 10 - 4 & CLOSED SUNDAY KEN’S KORNER, SUITE 202 • 221.3839

Central Asian Bazaar

December 2-17

Year’s Eve Burlesque,” 7:30 p.m., Whidbey Island Center for the Arts, Langley. www.wicaonline.org Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Fireworks, 9 p.m. at Windjammer Park in Oak Harbor.

JANUARY

Jan. 1: First Day Hike, 10 a.m. at South Whidbey State

Park. An interpretive trail guide will be lead a “moderate” hike on the Wilbert Trail and, if there is an interest, a shorter hike on the Forest Discovery Trail as well. Refreshments of coffee, hot cider, water and cookies will be available in front of the Ranger House before and after the hike. Jan. 1: New Years

Cookie Walk

Sat, Dec. 3, 10am Fill a box with assorted homemade treats. Only $15. (while supplies last) Benefits local charities

Day Resolution 5K, starts 11 a.m. at the Windmill at Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor. Jan. 1: Polar Bear Plunge, noon at Windjammer Park, Oak Harbor. Jan. 1: Polar Bear Plunge, noon at Double Bluff Beach, Freeland. www.sw parks.org

Gifts of the Season from LANGLEY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

mission market

Sunday, December 4, 10:30am-Noon in the Fellowship Hall Gifts and donations to local & global nonprofits

Child of Wonder, songs of Joy

Saturday, December 10 at 7pm in the Sanctuary Choir, Instrumentalists & Soloists 3rd & Anthes Streets, Langley • 360-221-4233 • Rev. Mary Boyd, Pastor • lumc@whidbey.com

24th Annual Production of

DECEMBER 9-18 • 2016

Jose Gonzales Trio plays Vince Guaraldi's

"A Charlie Brown Christmas" December 18

Can Can Productions

New Year's Eve Burlesque

Friday & Saturday Evenings - 7:30pm Saturday & Sunday Matinees - 2pm

December 31

Music for the Eyes 360.221.4525 314 FIRST STREET, L ANGLEY

’

TICKETS: 360.221.8262 WICAonline.org

Tickets and info: www.widtonline.org • 360-341-2221 South Whidbey High School Performing Arts Center

A taste of family traditions 14 »

Grandma Antje Van Slageren’s Almond Butter Cookie Recipe Courtesy of Alana Koetje Morris Ingredients: 1 cup butter 1 egg yolk, 1 cup sugar 2 cups flower (sifted) Pinch of baking soda 1 tsp cinnamon

Cream butter, egg yolk and sugar together in a mixer. Mix in the dry ingredients. Roll mixture out onto a pastry cloth into a rectangle to fit a cookie sheet. Place on a lightly floured cookie sheet. Brush lightly with beaten egg white and sprinkle with sliced almonds, pressing in slightly. Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes. Cool for a few minutes before cutting into squares.

Leche Flan

From Panlasangpinoy.com Ingredients: 10 raw eggs 1 small can condensed milk 1 cup fresh milk (or evaporated milk) 1 cup granulated sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract Instructions: Using all the eggs, separate the yolk from the egg white (only egg yolks will be used). Place the egg yolks in a big bowl and beat them using a fork or an egg beater. Add the condensed milk and mix thoroughly. Pour in the fresh milk and Vanilla. Mix well. Put the mold (llanera) on top of the stove and heat using low heat. Put in the granulated sugar

on the mold and mix thoroughly until the solid sugar turns into liquid (caramel) having a light brown color. Spread the caramel (liquid sugar) evenly on the flat side of the mold. Wait for 5 minutes, then pour the egg yolk and milk mixture on the mol. Cover the top of the mold using an aluminum foil. Steam the mold with egg and milk mixture for 30 to 35 minutes. After steaming, let the temperature cool down then refrigerate. Serve.

Latkes

From Epicurious.com Makes about 24 pancakes Ingredients: 1 medium onion, peeled 4 large russet or Idaho potatoes (about 3 1/2 pounds, peeled) 2 large eggs 2 tbsp all-purpose flour 6 tbsp vegetable oil 6 tbsp unsalted butter applesauce and/or sour cream, for serving Instructions: Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Place two nonstick baking sheets in oven. Using box grater or food processor fitted with grating disc, coarsely grate onion and place in colander set in sink. Coarsely grate potatoes, add to colander, and set aside to drain. In large mixing bowl, lightly beat eggs, then whisk in flour. Press potatoes and onion to extract as much liquid as possible, then add to egg/flour mixture. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Using wooden spoon or hands, mix well, but do not overwork. In heavy-bottomed, 12-inch skillet over moderately high heat, heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter until hot but not smoking. Drop 4 scant 1/4cup portions of potato mixture into pan and flatten with spatula to form four 3-inch pancakes.

Holiday Gift Guide 2016 Fry until bottoms are golden-brown, 4 to 5 minutes, then turn over and fry until golden-brown and crisp, an additional 4 to 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain; season immediately with salt and pepper. Keep warm on baking sheets in oven while making remaining pancakes. Using paper towels, carefully wipe out pan. Add 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter and fry 4 more pancakes. Repeat with remaining batter, wiping out pan and adding 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter before each batch. Serve pancakes hot with applesauce and/or sour cream.

Nana’s Gingerbread Courtesy of Alana Koetje Morris) Serves 12

Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour 1/2 cup sugar 2 tsp ground ginger 1/4 tsp ground allspice 1 tsp ground cinnamon 1 cup molasses (black strap or dark) 8 tbsp unsalted butter cut into 1/2 inch pieces, softened 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tsp baking soda 1 cup boiling water Ingredients: Adjust an oven rack in the middle position and heat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour a 9-inch square baking pan. Whisk the flour, sugar, ginger, allspice and cinnamon in a large bowl. Stir the molasses, butter and eggs together in a medium bowl (some pieces of butter will remain). Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the molasses mixture to the well and stir until well blended. Stir the baking soda and boiling water together in a medium liquid measuring cup, pour over the batter and stir until the butter is completely melted. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean, 30 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan, at least 1 hour. Serve. This cake can be stored at room temperature for up to four days.

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Holiday Gift Guide 2016

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