recipe: raw apple cinnamon gr-oatmeal

Cleansing diets are hot this New Year—two in our office started Monday!—the rest of us are anxious to eat well to be well. Following is a healthy breakfast or lunch option—worthy of the prep time!

Fyi, oat groats are hulled oat kernels, in their purest form before they’re rolled, steel-cut, or milled into flour. Unlike many grains, oats are rarely processed to remove their germ and bran— which is what makes them a whole grain.

Directions:
First, soak oat groats in water for 12 hours. Drain and soak another 12 hours in fresh water.

Next, in a food processor, blend:
1C soaked groats
2 tblsp water
2 tblsp raw honey
1 tsp cinnamon
½ C chopped apples, or any fruit you prefer
¼ C walnuts, optional

Blend 3-5 times, scraping down the sides, until it’s the consistency you like. Enjoy!

Thanks to megan, product manager’s assistant, for this submission.

recipe: non-alcoholic beverages

Accomodate all guests—and designated drivers—by offering more than one non-alcoholic beverage.

It can be as easy as sparkling water flavored with seasonal fruits, or refreshing still water and cucumbers.

Cheers!

recipe: shortbread

2 cups flour
1 cup unsalted butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tblsp coarse, or sparkling, sugar
1/4 tsp salt
optional: icing as desired

Directions
Preheat oven to 325°.

Add flour, butter, granulated sugar, and salt into a bowl and blend with a mixer on low speed until blended. Increase to medium and mix until dough is no longer crumbly and just comes together.

Use cookie molds or press dough evenly into a pan and sprinkle with coarse sugar.

Bake until golden brown, about 30-40 minutes.

In the pan, cut still-warm shortbread into wedges or slices. Let cool, then flip and separate.

recipe: egg nog

12 eggs, separated
6 cups milk
2 cups heavy cream
2 cups bourbon
1-1/2 cups sugar
3/4 cup brandy
2 tsp ground nutmeg

Directions
In a large bowl, beat the egg yolks and sugar with a mixer for about 10 minutes—until they’re firm and the color of butter. Slowly add the bourbon and brandy.

Cool in the refrigerator before the party—for up to 6 hours. About 30 minutes before serving, stir in the milk and add nutmeg.

In a separate bowl, beat the cream with a mixer on high—until the cream forms stiff peaks.

In another bowl, beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the egg white mixture into the egg yolk mixture. Then gently fold the cream into the egg mixture.

After pouring into oliver martini glasses, sprinkle with ground nutmeg.

Thanks to april and curtis, CB2 catalog, for this submission.

recipe: leftover turkey sandwich

What to do with all those leftovers? How about a light sandwich…

toasted brioche
turkey
honey mustard
frisée lettuce
tomato
swiss cheese
hard boiled egg
salt and pepper