• DIA DE LOS MUERTOS BARK DE CHOCOLATE •

Dia de los Muertos celebrations have grown in popularity year after year.

 There are a ton of Dia de los Muertos festivals in the Los Angeles area; one of the largest is held annually at Olvera Street and it is a wonderful cultural and spiritual experience.

In honor of Dia del los Muertos and all that leftover Halloween candy we're sure many of you have sitting in your candy dish, here are a few versions of chocolate candy bark. If you've eaten one too many pieces of candy corn and are looking for something new to indulge in, then this is definitely a sweet solution for you.

So why chocolate bark and not pan de muerto? In all honesty, I still need to work on my bread making skills, however, I still wanted to mark this holiday since it is a significant celebration in the Mexican culture.  Although this is not a traditional Mexican recipe, there are things you can add to the chocolate in order to spice it up and give it a Mexican vibe, like pinch or two of cayenne pepper and some cinnamon.

Once your chocolate base is melted and flavored if you choose, top it off with some of your favorite leftover candy.

I used Reese's Pieces, Kit Kats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.  I also added in some pretzels { I love the salty/sweet combo } and some dried cranberries for a bit of tangy fruity goodness.

Get creative!  {FYI: For those of you in the LA/OC area...there is fantastic Dia De Los Muertos festival  in Santa Ana this Saturday, November 5th! }

I listened to some of favorite tunes with a Latin vibe in honor of the holiday:
1)  El baile y el salon - Cafe Tacuba
2) No Se Tu - Luis Miguel
3)  Deja - Sidestepper
4)  La Cumbia de Mole - Lila Downs
5)  Mentira Salome - Linda Ronstadt 

• TRICK OR TREAT { REVISITED } •

We hope everyone is enjoying their Halloween weekend!  In honor of the festivities we are reposting one of our favorite posts from last year: "Trick or Treat", from the 2 Savory Palates archive.  How about some: 

FRANKEN PUDDING POPS

     

{or}

CREEPY CRAWLY SPIDER CUPCAKES

 {or}

SAVORY & SLIMY PEA SOUP

Just  click on the link: "Trick or Treat" for some ghoulishly delicious ideas! Happy Halloween!!!

• FIG PALMIERS •

I love palmiers, however, I'm more familiar calling them orejas.  Growing up I would go to the panaderia {Mexican bakery} where I would always order orejas; basically a Mexican version of a palmier.

So, when Caitlin and I were discussing what our next recipe would be, we decided on a fig spread. I  love figs {it must be my Greek heritage}, and I thought the spread would be a perfect filling for a palmier.

The most complicated thing about making a palmier is perfecting the puff pastry;  the puff pastry is like pie crust, in other words, it has to be good. I decided to use a good, all-natural frozen puff pastry from Trader Joe's {five ingredients: flour, sugar, salt, butter, water}. I recommend this puff pastry if you can find it; and if you're short on time or a less than confident baker.  It is buttery, but not overly so, and extremely flaky.  

One thing I think you'll be surprised at, is how quick and easy palmiers are to make {especially if you are using frozen pastry}.  You can fill them or not. You can make them savory if you choose and omit the sugar; and instead mix in some feta and crushed walnuts with the fig spread.

Ok, now back to the recipe, first things, first...you have to make the fig spread.  It is super simple: figs, honey, sugar, lemon juice, cinnamon and vanilla.  

Next, you roll out the puff pastry onto a clean work surface that's been sprinkled with sugar; spread your fig mixture, sprinkle extra sugar and cinnamon, roll up on each side until it meets in the middle.  You have to chill the rolled up dough for about an hour or until firm.  Then, slice it and get ready to bake.

 Place on a baking sheet and bake for about 15 - 20 minutes.  Remember to rotate the pan halfway through baking in order for them to puff up perfectly golden brown.  

Once they're done, you'll be sure to impress; I was impressed with myself actually.  If you're a baking purist, and want to make the puff pastry, Martha Stewart {of course} has a good recipe you can use.  Just click here for the link.   Somedays, you just have to indulge and have a cookie!

I like tea, and I think the tea of your choice would be great with these light and flaky cookies. I  decided on a vanilla chai latte. Heavenly! 

Here are few of the songs that were shuffling on my iPod as I baked (an eclectic, but  good mix to bake to):
1)  Elbow:  One Day Like This
2)  The Pretenders:  Back On The Chain Gang
3)  Otis Redding: I've Been Loving You Too Long
4)  Black Sabbath:  Changes
5)  Julieta Venegas:  El Presente

••••••

• I ♥ KINFOLK •

Some of you may already know about Kinfolk (the online site and magazine), but for those of you who don't, you really must check it out!

In a nutshell (taken from their manifesto), Kinfolk is: 

"...a growing community of artists with a shared interest in small gatherings. We recognize that there is something about a table shared by friends, not just a wedding or once-a-year holiday extravaganza, that anchors our relationships and energizes us. We have come together to create Kinfolk as our collaborative way of advocating the natural approach to entertaining that we love."

Needless to say, I've become a fan. The articles are wonderful; the photography is exquisite; and highlighting the importance of maintaining and nurturing our relationships through get togethers with those nearest and dearest to us is quite magical. Who knows, maybe someday there will be a "Steaks & Sprouts" small gathering featured in Kinfolk...fingers crossed!!!

Click here to find out more about Kinfolk!