Matters of the Hearth

I am delighted to be back after two months enjoying the warm weather, abundant farmer’s markets, and superb bakeries of central California. Calgary is definitely the place to be if what you desire at Christmas includes chilly, snowy weather that begs you to stay at home, build a fire (literal or otherwise), cozy up with a good book, a mug of tea, and some ridiculously delicious sweet thing you can so much more easliy justify this time of year. “Because it’s Christmas.” The neighborhood is filled with puffing chimnies and twinkling lights, and ovens everywhere are working harder than they do the other 11 months of the year.

Especially mine!

Alongside my familiar whole grain breads I am offering an assortment of special holiday treats. Also, please don’t hesitate to make requests! Do you have a holiday favourite you don’t see listed here? A family recipe you just don’t have time to bake yourself? Let me know!

Seasonal Breads (100% whole grain and naturally leavened)

• cranberry pecan – great with cheese, alongside a festive meal, or toasted for breakfast  $7
• potato herb – moist, savoury, satisfying  $6
• wild rice – wintery, nutty, unique, Canadian… impress your friends! $7
• Highwood Crossing whole wheat – simple and sublime  $6

Holiday Specialty Breads*

• Stollen – a German brioche-style bread studded with dried fruits and almonds  $15
• Kugelhopf – an Alsacian brioche-style bread filled with dried fruit and nuts and baked in a traditional crown ring mold. Stunning!  $15

Holiday Cookies/Candies* all $15/dozen

• Lebkuchen – translated, Lebkuchen comes from the words “life” and cake. Need I say more?
• chewy molasses spice – perhaps the perfect cold weather cookie….
• chaidoodles (like snickerdoodles with an Indian passport) – charming, exotic, and melt-in-your-mouth amazing
• traditional shortbread – perfection  .  (period)
• dark chocolate truffles – pure and divine indulgence

Please place your orders by midnight on the 18th (katrinagimbel@gmail.com). Items will be available for pick up in a central downtown location on Friday the 23rd.

*For some of these ‘exception’al goodies I will be using all-purpose flour and cane sugar. 100% of my ingredients are organic or sourced as ethically and responsibly as possible.