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Compiled by JANET K. KEELER
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 6, 2000
deconstructing
explanations from the inside out
panettone
[Times photos: Scoot Keeler]
Panettone bread
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The dome-shaped Christmas bread of Italy is nothing like American fruitcake despite the fact it is studded with candied citron, orange and lemon. Panettone (PAN-eh-tone) is much lighter, owing to the yeast, and less sweet than fruitcake.
Panettone has been around since the 15th century when it was first made in Milan. One legend of the bread is that it was developed by a poor baker named Antonio (nicknamed Tone). Tone wanted to impress a stubborn king so that he might marry the king's daughter. The bread, or pane di Tone, did the trick, and the couple lived happily ever after. Another story has it that the bread was devised by a nobleman who wanted to marry the daughter of a baker. Still another variation is that it was concocted at a Christmas festival held by the Duke of Milan to replace one that the principal chef had burned.
Whatever the orgin, panettone is a staple at Christmas in Italian households here and in Italy, though it wasn't until about 1920 that it became dome-shaped. Specialty food shops, discount stores and even grocery stores sell panettone in impressively designed boxes. Despite claims that commercial yeasts keep the bread moist, panettone is sometimes dry and benefits from a dollop of whipping cream or from being toasted and slathered with marmalade or just plain butter. Panettone can also be used in bread pudding recipes.
constant comment
"The cocktail party is probably America's greatest contribution to the world of entertaining."
this web site cooks
http://www.igrandparents.com
Grandparents looking for ways to connect with the grandkids will find plenty to bond over on this site. Party menus and recipes for Hannukah, Christmas and Kwanzaa are kid friendly, and each "Kids in the Kitchen" section explains what tasks children can handle at various ages.
There are plenty of craft project ideas, such as making dreidels and gumball wreaths. For grandparents and grandchildren separated by distance but connected by e-mail, the craft instructions, recipes and jokes can be sent back and forth with the click of the mouse.
cooking class
Many holiday recipes call for chopped or crushed nuts, but smashing them to smithereens on a cutting board is messy. An easy way to reduce nuts to pieces is to put shelled nutmeats in a zipper-type plastic bag, squeeze out the air and roll them with a rolling pin.
stocking stuffer
Joy of Cooking, the classic from Irma S. Rombauer, Marion Rombauer Becker and Ethan Becker, now comes in a teeny-tiny size. Running Press' miniature edition contains excerpts from the mother book, including direction on making pie crusts and macaroni and cheese. The novelty minibook is $5.
spreading joy
Hanukkah-themed spreaders
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These Hannukah-themed spreaders are just one of many on the market that make nice hostess gifts if you've been invited to someone's home during the eight-day Festival of Lights, which begins at sundown Dec. 21. The gelt and dreidel spreaders ($9.99) by Boston Warehouse can be found at Bed Bath & Beyond; similar ones have been spotted at TJ Maxx.
spice is nice
Is there a cook on your gift list who seems to have everything? Consider a year's membership to the Spice of the Month Club. Members receive two 2- to 3-ounce containers of unusual or hard-to-find spices each month, such as Spanish saffron, French winter savory or Sri Lankan cinnamon, and suggestions on how to use them. Gift packages, starting at $39.15, are available from three to 12 months. The first month includes a porcelain mortar and pestle. Call (800) 385-5532. Order by Dec. 20 to ensure Christmas delivery. The company also offers a tea-of-the-month club with memberships starting at $42.15. Call the same number for details.
chocolate games
White and dark chocolate dominoes
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Leave it to trendy Dean & Deluca of New York to take the game of eating to the next level. White and dark chocolate dominoes and checkers are playful -- and decadent -- gifts. Cost is $28 for both plus shipping. Call (800) 221-7714.
White and dark chocolate checkers
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