"christmas brunch" news and stories

We always associate gingerbread with either Gingerbread houses or Gingerbread men. But how about a cake or cookies or a cobbler or pancakes?

Our friends over at AOL Food have some recipes for gingerbread you might not have thought of doing. Like the Gingerbread and Pear Dessert, Lemon Iced Gingerbread and some Gingerbread Pancakes. The Apple-Gingerbread Cobbler looks like the perfect thing to eat on a cold winter's night in front of the fire (OK, the television).

There are also recipes for Gingerbread Snowflake Cookies that would look great on your Christmas table or on the tree.

Want even more gingery ideas? Check out:

• Gingerbread House Cupcakes
• Gingerbread Family Cookie Cutters
• Guinness gingerbread records
• Gingerbread man pan
  

Everyone has their Christmas morning traditions. When I was a kid, we couldn't open any of our gifts (OK, maybe our stockings) until mom had had her first cup of coffee. I don't really have any traditions or rules like that anymore, because I have my own place now and I go over to my sister's house later in the day and exchange gifts and she usually cooks, but a lot of people have certain things they always eat or drink on Christmas morning, even beyond the coffee you have in the morning or the turkey you have for dinner.

In the December issue of Bon Appetit, Ted Allen gives his menu for a Christmas brunch that could become a new tradition in your home. He starts with a Citrus Fruit Salad. Actually, maybe he starts with the Gazpacho Bloody Marys! Then you can go on to the Potato Latkes with Smoked Salmon, Caviar, and Tarragon Creme Fraiche, and maybe some Sticky Bun Bread Pudding.