Christmas: Sweet Treats

By JULIETTE ROSSANT It's Christmas time again. when Foodies of all stripes try to find treats to give as gifts or to devour themselves, because Christmas is time for indulgence -- for la gourmandise. If you happen to be heading North (in the direction of Santa's abode), you might take along something to tuck into your hot chocolate or to sandwich between your grahams (freshly baked). What you need is retro comfort food like Plush Puffs Gourmet Marshmallows. These are the brain child of former caterer Ann Hickey-Williams, who creates sinfully rich but airy, out-of-the-ordinary marshmallows that help set a new standard for this age-old fare. Plush Pluffs are as far from store-bought, stale, toast-untll-burnt marshmallow as possible. Try a mixed bag, or flavors like Chocolate Chipetta and Kona Coffee Crunch. Don't forget the exceptionally spicy Cinnamon for after Christmas dinner. What a great retro surprise for the whole family! These days you won't find many aspiring Garbo's or Gable's eating those little taboo chocolate cigarettes that often found their way into Christmas stocking years ago. Yet, the joy of playing with ersatz cigarettes was fun. Chocolate chopsticks for the Foodie child (or adult) are just as fun -- and far tastier. Made by Suedy of Kooki Sushi, the Belgian chocolate Choc Sticks come in various flavors, like Dark Chocolate Creme de Menthe and Milk Chocolate Mocha Bean. The mint runs the length of the chopsticks, breaking out of the chocolate like a fine marbling at the top. Twirled in coffee or hot cocoa, the chocolate melts and becomes even more luscious. They come in fancy gold packaging like two mahogany sticks. Not surprisingly, Suedy also makes clever sushi sweets from crispy rice and various fill-ins for the real thing. They are delicate and tasty and oh-so sweet. After so much sugar on the plate for Christmas meals, it's probably a good thing to feast on protein at breakfast like ham, sausage and bacon with fresh eggs. But if you're craving some sweet pastry without the fuss, try old fashioned blueberry muffins with a soy protein punch from Crum Creek Mills. The Bountiful Blueberry Muffin Mix is as easy to prepare as Betty Crocker's, minus artificial tasting blueberries, so much healthier. They also make a Brilliant Bran muffin with extra soya protein. The package is decorated with a naive painting showing a blueberry river, kite, farm and tractor - hostess gift? Previous articles: 2006 Holiday Gift Guide Christmas Remembered: Tomie dePaola Christmas Coffee: Tyler Florence and Senseo Christmas Breakfast: Bacon and Sausage Jack Turner's Spice for Christmas Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging --> back to Super Chef