Tasting Christmas

Ok, with the new-fallen snow, it is time to review all the Christmas treats I have been trying to stay far, far away from in the last month. (I am determined to knock one of my traditional New Year's resolutions off the list long before the crystal ball drops, and so far, so good.)

But just because I'm not going to indulge as much as I would have in the past, doesn't mean all three readers -- wait, are we possibly up to four yet? -- can't glean any tips from my experience. With that, and apologies to Anne Palumbo for meandering into "Daily Dish" territory, here's what I recommend digging into:

*Wegmans Market Cafe' Candy Cane Mocha. See if your barista will top it off with extra candy cane chips. Yum! A Plan B would be Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. Plan C would be to mix whatever hot cocoa concoction is in the cupboard with a mug of milk heated in the microwave, then add your own Starlight Mint candy drop or mini candy cane and stir like crazy so it starts to melt before you top it off with marshmallows or whip cream.

*Starbucks Cranberry Bliss Bar. I'm pretty sure I have the name right on this one, (it's the one topped with a sweet cream cheese kind of frosting) and if so, it's perfectly named. Bliss in a bite, baby. Or several. It's only available during the holidays. Eat some while you still can.

*Ghiardelli Limited Edition Peppermint Bark squares. Wegmans has them in the multi-square "sacks" (search near the bulk foods/seasonal section) or bars. Hallmark stores sell a pricier version in keepsake tins. I am told by a friend who sampled these that, "yes, they're pretty good, but NOTHING tops Williams-Sonoma's peppermint bark" given it's extra thickness and what sounds like candy cane chunks. Apparently it costs a pretty penny, and I've yet to try some, but I'll take her word for it. As far as this Ghiardelli though, I only bemoan the fact it's a Limited Edition product. I believe this one is my preferred "taste of Christmas" tantalizer this year. Ok, I'll wipe the drool off my keyboard and shut up about it now.

*Celestial Seasonings Candy Cane Lane Tea. Anyone sensing a peppermint theme here yet? What I love about this is that's it's actually green tea and it's actually decaf. Go figure. This could be your Christmas Comfort in a Cup. Enjoy! Find it at Wegmans (of course!)or let's hope, your other local grocers.

*Hershey's Milk Chocolate Kisses. Yes, an All-American standby makes my list. Actually, last year, I loved their special-edition Mint Chocolate Kisses in the green-silver checkerboard wrapper, but alas, I haven't seen them yet this year. But a simple chocolate kiss is still simply divine. And if you want something with a bit more forte to it, go for the Hershey's with Almonds Nuggets in the gold wrappers. I don't know what it is, but the almond rather overpows a tiny Kiss. In the Nuggets, however, the almond meets its match and you can sink your teeth into it.

*Fondue. Chocolate, cheese, no matter. But at our house, at least, Christmas Eve would not be Christmas Eve without fondue. Given the extra effort it generally takes to poke a stick into fruit, bread or other fare, dip it into the heated fondue of choice and get it into your mouth before you have to re-light the gosh-darn Sterno lighter underneath (another weird happening at our house), it is not an understatement to advise you to enjoy every single bite.

*Angel Food Cake topped with raspberries and/or strawberries and (Whip) Cream. Why is this on the list? Well, at our house, birthdays are traditionally celebrated with a cake (although on my birthday, "cake" is translated "raspberry pie.") Anyway, if Christmas is supposed to represent the birth of Jesus, well then, what kind of cake would befit a baby from heaven? Angel Food, of course! This works so well, because after pigging out on candy from the stockings, homemade cinnamon rolls at breakfast, a heavy mid-day feast, etc. dessert really should be a little on the lighter side. And the fruit helps with that, as does the whip cream. Under no circumstances should Angel Food Cake be eaten with ice cream, or you'll lose the "light" effect!

*One navel orange. Preferrably chilled, before being placed in the toe of your Christmas stocking once the house is up on Christmas morning. Why? Well, that stocking needs something round to fill out the toe. Plus, there ought to be something in there to balance out all that candy and provide some nutritional value. On top of which, probably the family bought one of those giant boxes of fruit from Florida as part of the local schoolkids' fundraiser and somehow, it's got to be eaten in a timely fashion. A good ole orange in the stocking, multiplied by X number of stockings per household, and that box of fruit will be polished off in half the time.

So there you have it: how Christmas should taste if you're going to spend it in the ReD Zone.
Save me a piece of peppermint bark, will ya?