Since 1975, the Best of Bridge “Ladies,” as their children have named them, have been developing recipes that are easy to understand, written with a sense of humor and guaranteed to work. Not surprisingly, given their motto – “simple recipes with gourmet results” – over the course of four decades, they have cooked up countless treats that are perfect for sharing with family and friends when it’s time for a celebration.
Best of Bridge Holiday Classics: 225 Recipes for Special Occasions focuses on recipes that will meet all of your holiday entertaining needs.
I’m always up for trying out new cookbooks, and when publisher Robert Rose asked if I was interested in receiving any of their recent publications to review, I jumped on this one. More because of the “simple and easy with gourmet results” reason than any other. You’ll notice that almost all the recipes on my blog are in that vein anyway. But imagine my delight, when I found out that this recipe collection…is from Bridge Ladies who are from Canada. (For those of you who are unaware, I’m a born and raised Canadian.)
There are some grand Canadian recipes out there besides Poutine, and a lot of them are found at bake sales, holiday gatherings and yes, funerals. But when you grow up with these delectable offerings and then only get them when you go back to visit, having a recipe for them right in your face, makes you want to slap on an apron and get to work in the kitchen.
While there are literally hundreds of great recipes in the Best of Bridge Holiday Classics, I have no trouble admitting that I went straight to the dessert section. I paged through it slowly, savoring the titles of these treats, Old-Fashioned Butter Tarts, Butter Tart Slice and Nanaimo Bars, and then … Toffee Krisps.
Toffee Krisps: Rice Krispie Squares for the ’90s! Toffee Krisps that use my ultimate favorite candy; Mackintosh’s Toffee Bar.
The only problem is … Mackintosh Toffee, not available here (well except on Amazon at inflated prices)!! But I had a craving, and while caramel is not Mackintosh Toffee, it’s what I had and so I made Caramel Krisps inspired by the Toffee Krisps Recipe. If you can find English Butter Toffee (without the nuts on top I’m talking about the kind that starts out a bit hard and then becomes chewy) use that instead of caramels, trust me!
Caramel Krisps
10 unwrapped Werther’s Baking Caramels
2 Tbsp Table Cream (just a fancy way to say 18% milk fat – so 1/2 and 1/2 will work or you can get it canned next to where you’d find Dulce de Leche)
2 1/2 cups Crisp Rice Cereal
Melt caramel pieces with cream in a double boiler, stirring constantly until mixture is well blended. Add cereal and mix until coated. Press into greased 8-inch square pan. Cool and cut into squares.
From causal potluck get-togethers to festive brunches and buffets to elegant sit-down dinners (and libations of course!), this book covers it all. It includes recipes like the famous Canadian “Christmas Morning Wife-Saver” breakfast, Nippy Cheddar Rabbit (no, it’s not real rabbit! It’s a dip, silly!), plus more traditional menu items such as Roast Turkey with Sage-Bread Stuffing and Classic French Onion Soup. And in case you didn’t have time to shop, there is even a chapter on food gifts. Or you can just get this book as a gift! Buy two…you’ll want to keep one 🙂
‘Tis the season for cooking, baking and socializing – with the Best of Bridge Holiday Classics you’ll be eating well, having fun and enjoying your parties!
Look for more Bridge Bestselling books at www.bestofbridge.com and for other great books visit www.robertrose.ca.