My dad always inventing a new stuffing, but generally he is riffing on his water chestnut and cranberry mixture….everyone loves it.

Two traditions I locked in as a child were always having frozen peas and a big bowl of black olives….presumably all I would eat when I was younger.

For desert my mom always makes a cherry cheese cake with a graham cracker crust. I loved it as a kid, but to be honest, it’s a little sweet for me these days…..

…which brings me to Enstrom’s Toffee. This year we did something different for Thanksgiving…we took the train from Emeryville, CA to Grand Junction, Colorado then continued on to Denver. The government turkey on the train was just passable as was the pumpkin pie. When we got to Grand Junction, we did some wine tasting. At Carlson’s Vineyard we tried cherry wine with chocolate on the rim. Mr. Carlson informed me that it was Enstrom’s chocolate. I had no idea what he was talking about so I asked. He said there was a chocolate manufacturer down town. We made a bee line to Enstrom’s with no idea what it was or what to expect. As you alluded, it is the palace of toffee. We had a couple samples and we were hooked. We got a few small boxes for friends, but none for ourselves as we were flying back and were already maxed out with winter gear.

I’d like to make Entrom’s Toffee a part of our holiday tradition. Your 1 pound box will definitely kick this off. By the way, I found your blog via Twitter. I took a picture in front of Enstrom’s and sent it to Twitpic. Enstrom’s then started following me today. I clicked on them and saw your link and read your blog.

Happy Holidays from:

OpentoNewToffeeTraditions (in San Francisco)

ps: 4:48 pst, did I make it?

For a long time now my family’s most consistent holiday food tradtion has been a big tin of Swedish pfefferkackers from Cost Plus World Market. If we’re lucky, they last until New Year’s Eve. Nothing like sitting down with a cup of hot tea and a handful of these sweet and spicy cookies.

Of course, Enstrom’s Toffee is becoming another holiday staple.

Homemade apple pie.

Smoked fish platters- lox, whitefish, sable for get togethers at other times of the year.

But in addition to this one gift, we four (Nana included) had stockings that anyone could add to…and sometimes these gifts were really special. I always got an orange or tangerine at the toe…never coal. My late grandfather was a coal miner so even tho the threat was there, I knew coal was a good thing.

Current dh and I have a Christmas tradition now of going somewhere warm at/around Christmas. Usually CA but this year it’s Florida and Hilton Head.

I love LOVE toffee. A lot.

Every Christmas, my mom makes a huge India brunch. It is the only time a year (unless another major event happens) that we get to enjoy my mom’s authentic cooking without her trying to cut calories or make the food more healthy.

Just thinking about the menu makes me crave these dishes:

* upppam – this is made of coconut milk, blended rice and is basically a fluffy white pancake with a crispy lace edge to it. You can eat it with syrup or with curry. Depending on if you want sweet or savory.

* egg curry – it is spicy and yummy. Usually a hot red curry with grilled onions and boiled eggs whole.

* duck curry – this is the only time of the year that my mom
indulges in making this. Tender duck pieces with a light curry that is filled with coconut milk. It is awesome!

* Lamb curry if we are lucky we get both duck and lamb. Not traditional meats but on special occasions, they are just right. Lamb is especially tender and full of spices.

Even though my mom also makes a traditional american christmas dinner (turkey or ham) — most of my siblings find it hard not to just ask for the leftovers from brunch. It is hands down, my favorite meal during the holidays.

Shany