Saving Christmas - With Melting Moments

Grand Confession: I have a formidable attachment to Christmas.

It can be traced back to my rose-tinted childhood, even though we weren't much of those open-minded, all-embracing families that celebrate all major festivals with pomp and glitter. I guess it has something to do with my catholic schooling, where the teachers went out of the way to stress upon the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of Christ, not getting presents for being good kids for that week. What, no presents? But that didn't bother us much 'cos we were constantly surrounded by music, tinsel and ornament throughout December. I guess my personal contributions to brightening xmas weren't much to brag about. I was complicit of singing off-key in the choir and ruining the sombre, velvety magic of xmas carols for everyone. I also remained largely stony-faced in the auditions for the three wise men.  But that didn't stop me from enjoying the nativity scene enacted the way it should be alongside extravagant feast and amusement. Those guys. They really did put the Christ back in Christmas.

Then there was college.  I stumbled upon Xmas again with a motley crew of girls, two of them being my BFFs at the time.

Although, I don't quite recollect doing many xmas-like things. In fact, I'm pretty sure the traditional xmas got pretty much eschewed by the end of it.  But we were pretty much rhapsodic about being silly and ambitious and experimental (only food and drink wise). I can't really recollect much of that epic night but an unforeseen splurge of green later, everyone declared their undying love for one another and we all made an oath that the Xmas tradition must continue to live on. And  it sure did. It only got more awesome and traditional, atleast food-wise, with my best friend, Hedge, making her special brandy-soaked christmas cake, all of butter, eggs, syrupy fruits and booze.  Light, zesty and flawless. You can't get more festive than that, right? Oh, she even performed a flambe with the lights turned down and it looked spectacular; nothing short of fireworks.

That night- before the crazies crept in

Which brings me to food...the glorious food of Xmas. Delicious treats loom over my memory above anything else. The promise of a scrumptious Xmas-themed platter and decadent desserts to take home dragged me to awkward lunches with mere acquaintances, hoping that holiday spirit and the saving grace of stuffing syrupy goodnesses in your mouth will prevail over forced laughters and pseudo-intellectual conversations. Glazing roast platters, creamy mashed potatoes, drunken cakes and cookies... Sometimes with people who know you, who get you - well, that's the cherry on the top, ain't it?

Image Source: Pinterest

On the flip, I realized I hadn't made any personal contributions to add magic to this joyous day. Well, until last year. The mom in me sort of woke up to the fact that I better get started with recreating the potent, feel-good, "can't help smiling to myself" aura of this day for my daughter, who incidentally, is now old enough to ask me who Santa is and to sit me down and explain how she has been a good girl this year and that Santa will sneak in a cute lil gift under her plushy pillow. She so loves making prophecies of that kind from time to time.

But here's a teeny tiny bump. I'm not much of a baker. Clearly, I lack that methodical attention-to-detail that baking just constrains upon you. So I thought of going native...Like absolute strip-the-frills, Baking Moms 101 kinda stuff. Things that I can probably package as intelligent, artsy cooking and get my kid to eat them too.

And that's when I chanced upon these floaty, melt-in-your-mouth, exotic bursts of confectionery that you can't stop yourself from popping in your mouth...like every 10 seconds...cos they dissolve pretty quick. I made them for Saanvi...and she couldn't get enough. Well, I can only hope that one day I can hover from above while she's penning down about these conspicuous pieces of heaven.

OK, enough bragging. I'd love to claim that I came up with this on my own. But I guess I've already established I'm a novice. Here and here.

So this is me rejoicing in some innocuous knowledge-sharing. Find your own effortless concoction of nostalgic holiday delights below:

http://www.taste.com.au/recipes/19011/melting+moments

I've gotta say, I did bring in a delightful twist to these virgin mini-delights. Considering it was Xmas, I was looking for a bit of rouge in the filling. I made two variations: Strawberry-Orange and Raspberry Cheese Buttercream.

Here are the recipes to the variations in filling that you can venture out to sandwich your cookies with. Sure does add color and festivity to your Christmas-themed fare...

Strawberry-Orange Filling:
What You Need:
75 gms Unsalted Butter
1 cup Icing Sugar
I tablespoon finely grated Orange Rind
1 tablespoon  Fresh Strawberry Pulp
4 drops Strawberry Essence

Method:

• Beat the butter and icing sugar using an electric blender till light and fluffy.  
• Add the orange rind, strawberry pulp and essence till combined pink. 
• Sandwich this filling onto your cookies.

Raspberry Cheese Buttercream:
What you Need:
60 gms Unsalted Butter
1 Cup Icing Sugar
75 gms Cream Cheese
2 tablespoons Raspberry Jam
A few drops of Red Food Coloring
A little lukewarm water

Method:

• Beat the butter in an electric hand blender until smooth. 
• With the motor running, add sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, adding the next only until the first lot has been absorbed.
• Stop running the mixer after the icing sugar is combined. Add cream cheese. Hurl it back on on a medium setting.
• Now add the raspberry jam and a little water and blend it till its light and fluffy.
• Using a toothpick, add red food coloring till it reaches the desired color.
• Sandwich it onto your cookies.

 I hope to continue to spread the joy through more words. But it is a long day tomorrow. Meanwhile, I hope that you get busy with trying out these delectable melting moments for yourself.

Happy Holidays you guys! And Bon Appetit! (And don't forget to pack your roomy flannel pants.)