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Recipe Mutiny steals recipes from food blogs and recipe sites. Then we publish them. With credit (Naturally).
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Simply Recipes 2018 Meal Plan: December Week 2
Not sure you have time for homemade meals during this busy holiday season? Let us help! This week we've got an easy coconut shrimp curry, garlic chicken, a kale and sausage soup, and more!
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Raspberry Jam Sweet Rolls
These jammy raspberry-filled rolls are worth waking up for! Luckily, you don't have to wake up TOO early because you can make the dough the night before. Best enjoyed with a strong cup of coffee.
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Friday, December 7, 2018
How to Spend a Perfect Long Weekend in Chicago This Christmas
New York City may get most of the attention as America’s idyllic Christmas destination, but it’s Chicago that is truly the winter wonderland of your dreams. Among the bustling food scene, awe-inspiring productions, and world-famous museums, there is an abundance of restaurants and activities for anyone landing a spot on this year’s Nice (and even Naughty) List. But if time is of the essence and you’re not entirely sure where to begin, we’ve combed through all of the Windy City’s festive offerings to present a comprehensive guide to our favorite December hot spots. All you need is a coat, some cash, and the ability to put your everyday stresses aside. It’s time to surrender to the holy holiday spirit and let it take over your body. Praise be to Chitown.
Chicago Events and Productions
Joffrey Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
Cheryl Mann/The Joffrey Ballet
Even the biggest of Scrooges will have something to smile about at Chicago’s most popular holiday production, now in its third season. With the city itself as the backdrop, show-goers will revel in the most adorable, whimsical, and nostalgic performance of the season, complete with world-class dancing, intricate costumes, dazzling lights, and the familiar Tchaikovsky numbers you’ll be humming for the entire rest of your trip. You’d be remiss to miss out! Click here for tickets.
Chicago Museums
You won’t find a shortage of museums in Chicago, with most presenting holiday exhibits that not only thrill, but educate during this busy time of year. The Museum of Chicago + Industry presents a “Christmas Around the World” that highlights cultural holiday traditions, while the Art Institute of Chicago channels their inner Nate Berkus with the tiniest of Holiday Thorne Rooms. Either way, consider these annual staples a necessary respite to Chicago’s notoriously bitter cold. You’re going to need it.
Macy’s (The Walnut Room)
Shutterstock
There’s no department store more famous on the Magnificent Mile than Macy’s, and Christmastime is where Santa’s headquarters truly shines. Beyond the ornate window displays is the Walnut Room, a wood-paneled restaurant boasting Russian and Austrian chandeliers among a cozy, decked-out dining space. Order Mrs. Hering’s Chicken Pot Pie, admire the giant Christmas tree, and allow yourself to be immersed in the contagious spirit. There may be no better place to capture the sights and sounds of the holidays that you so desperately crave during this time of year. Click here for more information.
Chicago Brunch Spots
Funkenhausen
Funkenhausen
Cue “Funky Town,” except replace the song’s lyrics with Funkenhausen. This is one of the most buzzed-about restaurants to hit Chicago’s dining scene, offering a unique mash-up of Southern and German cuisines (think schnitzel meets grits) in a beer-forward environment. It’s the perfect prerequisite to Chicago’s Christkindlmarkt, where you can enjoy even more German-inspired treats and libations. Fröhliche Weihnachten, everyone. Click here for more information.
Mott Street
Let’s give ‘em something to Mott about. And that something is an award-winning burger served only from 6-7 p.m., or exclusively at their bar and during brunch service. Selected as Thrillist’s Best Burger in Chicago, this Asian-inspired delight features a drool-worthy miso butter atop jalapeño pickles, American cheese, double patties, Hoisin aioli, and fried sweet potato sticks. Needless to say, you’re going to need some sake to wash it all down. Click here for more information.
Chicago Dinner Spots
Odyssey Chicago River Dinner Cruise
Odyssey Chicago River Cruise
The weather outside may be frightful (it’s Chicago, after all), but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the sights and sounds of the city from the comfort of a boat. Odyssey boat tours continues to run daily (no icy lakes or Titanic-esque icebergs to get in the way), including a glass ceiling dinner cruise with an open bar. It’s the perfect outing with friends and an excellent excuse to get out of sweatpants for an evening full of food and dranks. Just be sure to monitor your champagne intake. Not everyone wants to see those “dance moves” you’ve been saving for under the mistletoe. Click here for tickets.
Monteverde
The Feast of Seven Fishes may be an important Christmas custom for Italian families across the country, but for this Italian, it’s all about pasta, pasta, pasta. And nobody serves more innovative tagliolini, agnotti, and gnochetti than Monteverde. From spicy arrabbiata to cacio whey pepe, there’s a hand-made noodle and sauce combo for every type of personality. You may even find yourself asking which elf your tastebuds tipped to get on the culinary Nice List this year. Click here for more information.
Momotaro
Galdones Photography
Even Santa has to pace his cookie consumption during the holidays. If you’re looking for a necessary break from gluttony to reboot and recover from rich food overload, look no further than what is arguably one of the best Japanese establishments in the city. Aside from fresh, innovative sushi, you’ll find dozens of small plates, both hot and cold, that will satisfy any craving. And we do mean literally any craving, from soy marinated quail eggs wrapped in bacon to sweet tomato tartare on Japanese milk bread. Click here for more information.
Entente
Casual fine dining has never felt more chic. In an ever-changing list of dishes based on ingredient seasonality and chef collaborations, this Lakeview gem offers an approachable menu with inspiring takes on familiar favorites. Plus, it’s only a short drive from Lincoln Park’s Zoo Lights, making it an ideal first stop for a night full of LED-enhanced magic. Click here for more information.
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You’ll Never Guess How Peppermint Became So Popular
When you think of Christmas, a few flavors probably come to mind—like gingerbread, cocoa, and eggnog. But one flavor stands out above the rest: peppermint. From Frango Mint Chocolates (first made famous by Chicago retail legend, Marshall Field’s), to the ubiquitous candy cane, peppermint is the unofficial flavor of the season. So, with that in mind, I thought it prudent to dive into the history of peppermint, to make sure everyone’s in the know!
First, some botany! Known scientifically as mentha piperita, peppermint is thought to be a naturally occurring hybrid of watermint and spearmint, native to the Middle East and Europe. A thriving plant, it’s proven to grow in moist environments in many other parts of the world, including Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. In fact, mint is known to grow pretty much wherever it’s planted. At one point, Michigan was a major player in the mint game, accounting for about 90 percent of the world’s mint oil production. Today, Michigan still produces a bit, but not as much as the Pacific Northwest, where the bulk of the United States’ mint supply comes from.
Mint, as a medicinal product, has a long, storied past. Many accounts date the use of peppermint back to ancient Egypt, where dried peppermint leaves, from 11th century BC, were alleged to have been found in the pyramids. The ancient western world, including the aforementioned Egyptians, along with the Greeks, and Romans used peppermint to aid upset stomachs. Hundreds of years later, in the 17th century, peppermint was again used like it was Pepto from the past, which is to say for indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea, along with colic, seasonal colds, and even menstrual issues. Does it really help any of that? Maybe, but the jury is still out. Actually, when ingested in high doses, peppermint can actually produce a similar sensation to heartburn. That being said, peppermint’s cooling effect can give some relief to those experiencing minor cases of inflammation or discomfort. Plus, there’s some research to suggest peppermint’s aroma can increase one’s memory and alertness. It’s (neuro)science!
Today, mint is used in all sorts of things, from jelly, to TUMS, to toothpaste. As for its modern day use in candy, no one is quite sure how that started. Altoids, the popular, and curiously strong mints were invented in 1780, long before Pep-O-Mint LifeSavers hit the scene in 1912, and peppermint Pez candies were created in 1927. So, you could go with Altoids as the originator of the peppermint candy, but I wouldn’t call that definitive by any means. Safe guess the next time you’re at trivia? Sure. Stone cold fact? Ehh.
How about candy canes, that classic Christmas sweet? Well, that story is even more unclear. One popular legend suggests candy canes originated in Germany as early as the late 1600s. According to the tale, a German choirmaster needed a way to keep his young choir quiet after their performance at the beginning of a Christmas concert, so he had a local confectioner whip up sugar sticks for them to consume. Since this was a candy you suck rather than chew, he figured this would keep the kids quiet for the rest of the concert. Because the performance was in church, he also needed a way for the top brass to allow this breach in church etiquette, so he had the sticks shaped like shepherd crooks as a symbol of Christ the Good Shepherd, and in remembrance of the first visitors of the baby Jesus—the Shepherds.
Is any of that true? Who knows. Some say that’s the way it went down. Others claim it was actually the inventor the Christmas tree who also invented the candy cane to be used as tree ornaments. Others still suggest different accounts. The only thing we can be certain of is that we’ll probably never be certain of candy cane origins. As for when peppermint became the flavor of choice for candy canes? That probably wasn’t until somewhere in the 19th century. The first mention (at least in the United States) of peppermint flavored sugar sticks don’t show up until the 19th century. While today you can find many varieties of candy cane, from fruit-flavored to spearmint, it’s peppermint that remains most traditional.
There you have it! From an ancient medicine to a cherished holiday confectionary, peppermint as been around for a long time. For a few holiday treats that feature peppermint, check out the following recipes: Peppermint Mocha, Candy Cane Pie, Peppermint Patties, Candy Canes, and Peppermint Bark.
Related Video: Put Extra Candy Canes to Good Use
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Chowhound Gift Guide 2018: Better-Than-Homemade Pies That Can Be Delivered to Your Door
It seemed like a great idea at first: pies are a must on the holiday table so why not bake a couple from scratch? But you still have to run out and do some last minute shopping. And you’re definitely going to hit the grocery store a few more times (it doesn’t help that your nephew decided to go full keto recently). Oh, and now the oven is acting up. The great news is you can avoid all the insanity that is making pies by ordering one from a pro directly to your door.
Savannah’s Southern Pecan Pie by Savannah’s Candy Kitchen
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen
You certainly can’t go wrong by serving a slice of Southern hospitality. This particular pecan pie features a delightfully gooey center and is topped, of course, with a crunchy layer of homegrown Georgia pecans. See It
S’mores Pie by Butter & Scotch
Butter & Scotch
This New York bar and bakery had an instant hit when it introduced its Instagram-worthy S’mores Pie. A graham cracker crust and creamy chocolate filling provide the foundation to a roasty, toasty marshmallow topping.See It
Milk Bar
Crack is not whack, at least when it comes the signature pie from Christina Tosi’s Milk Bar. This sinfully sweet and salty creation is housed in an oat cookie pie crust and finished off with a light dusting of powdered sugar. It’s sure to be a crowd pleaser at your holiday gathering provided there aren’t any dentists at the table.See It
Chicken Pie by Centerville Pie Company
Centerville Pie Co.
Yes, this savory pie option has Oprah’s seal of approval and no, it does not have a cauliflower crust. You’ll only find hand-pulled chicken, homemade gravy, and seasoning (sorry vegetables, no room for you) in this pie, which feeds six to eight people and can easily stand in as the main event for your holiday dinner. See It
Cocoa Chanel Chess Pie by Muddy’s Bake Shop
Goldbelly
Arguably from the best bakery in Memphis. Chess pie is a no-frills custard-based staple of the South but Muddy’s presents an elevated take on this classic. The ultra-rich, fudgy filling and flaky, all-butter crust simply can’t be beat. See It
Maple Wicked Whoopie by Wicked Whoopies
Wicked Whoopies
Amy Bouchard has been making whoopie pies for over two decades. In fact, her company Wicked Whoopies has produced over 30 million of the beloved hand-held treats. Wicked’s pies come in a variety of flavors but their maple version featuring rounds of syrup-infused cake filled with fluffy cream is a favorite for the holidays. See It
Kermit’s Key Lime Pie by Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Kermit’s Key West Key Lime Shoppe
Kermit’s Key Lime Pie is the best in Key West, or anywhere else for that matter. Local key limes are the key (oh, dad puns!) to a bright, tart filling that complements the pie’s signature graham cracker crust. A ring of whipped cream offers just the right touch of sweetness. See It
Dutch Apple by Julian Pie Company
Julian Pie
The Smothers Family knows a thing or two about apple pie. Not only do they continue to run the Julian Pie Company, the Southern California institution which they founded over 32 years ago, they even bought their own apple orchard. Not surprisingly, apple finds its way into nearly all of the bakery’s pies, but the Dutch version, which features a crunchy crumb topping, is a standout. See It
Ginger Spiced Pumpkin Pie & Candied Pecans by A La Mode Pies
Goldbelly
A gingersnap crust brings an extra zing to the pie’s expertly spiced, creamy pumpkin custard. A cluster of candied pecans provides the finishing touch because…why not?See It
Sugar Cream “Hoosier Sugar Pie” by My Sugar Pie
My Sugar Pie
If you’ve never heard of Hoosier Pie, it’s time to get familiar. This version is the perfect introduction to Indiana’s state pie. My Sugar Pie keeps things traditional with the trinity of butter, sugar, and cream. This is the kind of slice that after taking one bite you’ll be asking, “Where have you been all my life?” See It
Related Video: The World’s Fastest Pumpkin Pie
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Homemade Tartar Sauce
How to make tartar sauce with mayonnaise, dill pickles, capers, mustard, shallots, scallions, Tabasco and lemon juice. Perfect with fish or crab cakes.
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