grain-free mini persimmon spice cakes (+ eggnog parfaits)

Two recipes in one! Perfect little giftable cakes and festive parfaits perfect for the holidays. Full recipe at www.thepigandquill.com. #grainfree #holidays #recipe #baking #christmas #newyears #eggnog

It’s Christmas Eve! Around here, that means prepping for the in-laws’ annual tamale feast and perhaps the most competitive pirate’s gift exchange that ever was. Our particular version features plenty of red wine and tequila and a particularly obscene vase that makes a comeback every year. It’s a raucous good time and one of those small things I know we’ll enjoy savoring in its current glory before things like an unfortunate floral receptacle that seriously resembles a vagina and nothing else takes a backseat to our inevitably lovely little piglet. How well do you feel like you know my family right know? I’m … Read More

friday links 12.19.14

My fave macarons (from Pistacia Vera in CBUS) and plenty of Friday Links - yay!

Between Chris’ birthday, long evenings of gift wrapping and about a billion last-minute holiday errands that I swore I wouldn’t put off until, well, now, the week has absolutely flown by. We even checked off the biggie 20(ish)-week ultrasound appointment and have a tiny envelope tucked among the branches of our Frasier Fir, the gender of our little he or she concealed within. First we thought we’d open it on Wednesday, over dinner. And then we said we’d wait until tonight after stockings. But honestly, there’s a teensy part of me that wants to hold off altogether until the big … Read More

two-potato latkes with smoky eggplant relish, spiced persimmon-apple sauce + sour cream

Perfect for entertaining! Crisp potato pancakes with two simple toppings that make great recipes on their own, too. Sweet, spicy, smoky, creamy! Full recipes at www.thepigandquill.com // #holiday #hanukkah #recipe #glutenfree #vegetarian

My mom has always said that we, the Chinese people, have an unspoken kinship with Jewish folks — insofar as “where Jewish people have guilt, Chinese people have shame.” That, and we both love to eat. Thirty seconds ago, I shared this theory with my Jewish friend, Randi (we’re sitting on her sofa, re-watching the latest episode of Parenthood — because apparently we gluttons for punishment also share a passion for fug-faced sobbing) and she laughed. And then she agreed. And then she offered me a popsicle. So, there ya go, Momma. #nailedit And with that, I give you: Chinese-approved Hanukkah foods. … Read More

Holiday Gift List and Friday Links 12.05.14

My fave giftables (foodie and otherwise!) for Holiday 2014 -- Links and descriptions at www.thepigandquill.com #holiday #giftguide #christmas #gifts

Hey guys! Hope everyone’s having a lovely Friday. With Christmas just around the bendarino, I thought I’d sneak in a quickie post today to highlight some of my fave giftables this season. Some of them are foodie; some of them are just things I want ever so badly (or currently use with great enthusiasm). Also, Chris is bro’ing out tonight, so I’m eating Oh!s for dinner and watching Nicholas Sparks movies and attempting to pass both of those things off as working by doing uh, this. I’m pretty much killing it dead. ONE. Color block everything! I fell in love with a … Read More

(vegan) caramelized red kuri squash pasta with white wine and olive oil + news!

Caramelized Red Kuri Squash Pasta Recipe: A savory and surprisingly hearty vegan/vegetarian pasta ready in about 30 minutes (with GF variation). Find the full recipe at www.thepigandquill.com. #vegan #vegetarian #glutenfree #pasta #recipe #squash #fall

Caramelized Red Kuri Squash Pasta Recipe: A savory and surprisingly hearty vegan/vegetarian pasta ready in about 30 minutes (with GF variation). Pasta first — or news first? Let’s do pasta. Because, hello, it’s pasta. Or in Giada speak: PAHSS-teh. Luvluvluvluvluv. This one has been in the queue for only way too long. Back before I tricked you into making Thanksgiving in under an hour (you guys — it’s tomorrow. If you don’t have a game plan, you might want to click that link). Before I turned your delicata into a beautiful mess of garlicky stickyness that is anything but delicate. And … Read More