Chocolate Covered Cranberry Pistacho Shortbread

So, what do you do the night before christmas  a christmas charity run? Stuffing up on healthy, wholesome carbs, receiving some massages to rest your muscles and then going to bed early? Sounds great! For me, not so much... Like who needs those eight hours of sleep - totally overrated (just kidding, currently trying to not already fall asleep...)!

After an intense seven-hour-shift (new camera here I come!) I returned home just to cover myself with flour, butter and sugar immediately and found satisfaction for a few hours in my own little baking refugium (had the house for myself for the evening - no one trying by to interrupt for sneaking some crumbs.. ;-)). Christmas time is a perfect excuse for infinite cookie production, so even if my head wouldn't work out something fancy, basic ingredients were easily turned into pure bliss with the magic of a simple oven.



One of the worlds most easiest yet totally delicious cookies is shortbread: crisp and crumbly with a buttery yet fine taste - props to the Scots for spreading this magic little goodies around the globe!
I've opted for whole wheat flour to justify it as "carbo-loading" to keep me alive for the upcoming 10k and used brown sugar for the ultimate slight caramel taste.



Cut into the classic finger shape and then slathered with dark chocolate, sprinkled with chopped dried cranberries and green pistachos and decorated with some more (white) chocolate they also combine christmas colours and tastes - so you just need to

Quick Recipe: Chocolate Covered Dried Figs

Chocolate Covered Dried Figs
- makes ~ 15 figs, according to how many you are able to use up with the amount of chocolate
- 100g Dark Chocolate (>60% Cocoa)
- about 15 dried figs (1-1 and 1/2 inch in diameter) -> you can use smaller ones, but that means you need more to use up all the chocolate ;-)

1. Melt the Chocolate in a Waterbath or the Microwave.
2. Dip the Figs into the chocolate, assemble on a plate and let cool (you can put them in the refrigerator to speed up the process!). Enjoy!

Spiced Tea Latte {Chai Style}

 

Shopping - one thing nearly every girl loves, right? When it comes to me, I have to admit that I like it too, even though there's one thing that gets me waay more excited then a new shirt or dress. No,in this case I'm not talking about groceries(this is a totally different topic, could definitely write a whole about it ;-)). Okay, no more guessing time: props - its all about the foodtography props! A box full of old silverware right next to a bunch of linen and various backdrops - is there any better? And what's one of the most perfect places to watch out for props on a lovely sunday morning?

 

Right! A flea market! Row after row of tiny little sale stands, packed with a whole lot of garbage no one needs, but right there, in the corner of an inconspicuous carton is THE piece. It might be a fork with beautiful engravings or