Well I’m pleased to tell you that since we last talked I have gotten my Christmas act together. We have a tree, a real tree, with a tree stand, lights and decorations. We even have stockings…with our initials on them. And, no big deal, we listened to Christmas songs and drank hot coco while we decked the halls. I feel like a real adult now, one who creates Holiday traditions for her children to cherish and someday imitate.

It turns out my daughter Tiare is somewhat of an elf. She cut out about 100 paper snowflakes in less than an hour and strung them throughout the house. Her productivity is quite impressive! Unfortunately I am now out of printer paper and will forever be picking up tiny white shreds off the ground, but it really does look lovely.

Roasted Artichoke Hearts and Caramelized Onions. Call it a dip, call it a spread, call it what you want, but this is exactly what I expect to eat as an appetizer when I am invited to a holiday party. Served hot please, with crostinis!  Just kidding. You can make me whatever you want. I will gladly eat it and wash dishes!

Let’s get real here for a minute. If you are on some kind of holiday diet or if you are considering substituting all the ingredients for fat-free alternatives, this dish is not for you. Stop reading now. Maybe you should make Carrot Lentil Soup or a Papaya and Grilled Chicken Salad.  Here’s a Maui Flour Child cooking tip: don’t try to make unhealthy food healthy. It is not in that foods nature and will just end up tasting weird. Let food be itself. [Read more…]