Thursday, December 24, 2009

'Tis the Night Before Christmas ...

Hey there! I just finished a teeny cookie marathon ... gotta leave something out for Santa, right? ;-)
These two are my faves ...
A Spanish Snowflake. Then a Hanukkah Heart ... (I like alliteration).
I just got in the mood when I was doing my grocery shopping for tomorrow. Plus, I've been up close and personal with plenty of holiday cookies lately. Most recently a holiday party thrown by Food Network and before that I had a party with some of the girls from Food Network. Only thing is, we taped it waaaaaay before the holiday season, when it was still warm enough to make icing melt.

At first, when they asked us to tape it, I thought ... a cookie swap party?? Who does those?? Then like a new word you learn that pops up everywhere, I kept hearing stories about people planning a cookie swap party. Funny. Here's a look at the spread ...
We had cookies from everyone in the Food Network family and we even made some snacks and drinks. Here's Anne Burrell and I during the shoot.
There aren't many times we all get to hang out, so this was fun. Aida flew in to tape as well and we always try to sneak in some time when she's in NYC. Usually it's brunch, lunch or drinks. Thank goodness for texting and emails, eh? Remember actually writing and sending mail in an envelope? I did that for 3 years as a kid living overseas and then as an adult overseas, the anticipation of a letter in the mail is something special we are all missing out on these days ... I digress.

While we were shooting there was some noise being made outside by some construction workers and after about two or three retakes due to the noise, our producer stepped onto the side patio and gave us all a New York City moment. Once she got his attention, she said a few short sentences and used the right words with the right inflection to buy us some silence for the rest of the shoot! I managed to catch her mid-mini-tirade ...
If you click and enlarge, up on the right is the construction guy hidden mostly by the fire escape and a sheath. The wind was blowing quite hard and all us girls had a good laugh because maybe the inflated sleeves made our producer's small frame a bit more intimidating from a distance. Too funny, maybe a 'had to be there' thing, but I'm trying to make it like you were :-). Here's the team checking the monitors just in front of the kitchen set ...
It took most of the day to shoot the whole thing, but the sweets kept us on a Sugar Rush. Remember that show? And have you seen the guy in the credit card ads? Anyway, there are videos of every step of a cookie swap party, just in case you ever want to throw your own and want some tips and recipes. It's up now on Food Network at Cookie Swap with the Stars.

Happy Holidays! I hope you enjoy your family, friends and food!

12 comments:

Mary | Deep South Dish said...

I totally get your producers annoyance - been through that before when I worked in administration at a hotel under renovation. They always seemed to interrupt somebody's meetings with jackhammers or whatever they were using! That is funny about her shirt though!!

I just finished an shrimp and andouille casserole my DIL asked me to make and bring for tomorrow and I don't know how many spicy cheese bites - they're like a little cookie only made with cheese and cayenne. NOW I have to wrap some presents. Nothing like last minute huh?

Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!! Love the cookies. :)

Unknown said...

Merry Christmas, your cookies look scrumptious!

The Duo Dishes said...

Did a cookie swap and made something similar to Anne Burrell's bars. They were off the chains. Yours are next because they looked bomb.

Sunrays7 said...

The Cookie Swap looked like a lot of fun! My sorority sisters had one in early December (just as recommended) and had a great time. We each brought a dozen cookies for each swap participant, wrapped and packaged, to share, which eliminates the need for the hostess to get containers and allowed each of us to put another personal spin on our contribution.
Also, I can't stress enough the need to make freezer-friendly dough and make your cookies ahead of time. Ten people * a dozen cookies each = LOTS of cookies. I'm looking forward to trying out the cookie recipes provided!

Rashmi, Boston

Fabulous said...

The cookies are beautiful Sunny. What are you cooking up for New Year's Day?

Megan said...

My favorites are the hearts and the candy canes. I like the how the icing flowed!
Hope your Christmas was merry and you have a Happy New Year!!!

Anonymous said...

Those cookies look absolutely delightful! And delicious! I just discovered your blog. What a nice way to begin. Yum!

kenny1 said...

Hey Sunny!

Wow, looks like you had fun! I love making cookies during the holidays, especially sugar cookies...mmm.

I have to say, you are my favorite food network star hands down. I watch your show almost every day and I am always excited to see what you are going to make next. I have been cooking since I was about 7 (I'm 19 now) and I enjoy every minute of it. You are a complete inspiration to me. Everything you make is simple and mouthwatering! I'm actually making your creamy macaroni & cheese tonight! Thanks for the awesome recipe.

Both you and Guy have made The Food Network sooo much more fun to watch. Thank you so much =)

Sunny Anderson said...

mary, yeah the producer was worried about looking bad, i told her "are u serious? you are superwoman today!" it was too funny. your casserole sounds yummy, makes me miss nola ... gotta get back soon! happy holidays!

renee, thanks! merry ho ho ho!

the duo dishes, anne's were yummy, i gotta admit my personal fave was sandra's ... crushed candy canes in sugar cookie dough, simple and yummy. mine are for peanut butter lovers only lol ... my guy loves them, but i have to admit ... not for me. that's what being a cook is to me sometimes, not making my palate happy, but taking care of someone else's tastebuds.

rashmi, it was fun, so much so we almost didn't finish because it's hard to wrangle 5 ladies from conversation and fun, to tape (work) :-). next time you post, shout out your sorority! i was a member of phi eta sigma ... not so hot though, it the natl honor society at loyola-new orleans teeheehee ... btw, upstairs on the square!!! if you haven't been, such a great brunch place!!!

cathy, thanks. they were yummy, passed some over to a neighbor to spread some good will as well. i wonder if she ate them. ever wonder that when you give food as a gift? at least it wasn't a fruit cake! for new years day, probably a ham, my "sunny's money salad" and something green and maybe a stone fruit pie ... just early thoughts. i have a few days to plan.

tiklish, thanks! yeah if you have a peanut butter lover ... these are for them. i can only eat one, then i'm done. lol. glad you found the blog! welcome to the comments section :-).

kenny1, i did have fun with the cookies. i thought my guy was gonna help decorate, instead he sat and watched me and asked every few minutes which ones he could eat ... too funny. glad you are a budding foodie and hope you have fun with my recipes. they are pretty simple and nothing too crazy as far as technique, so hope you find some that will reappear on your menu for years to come. i'll pass on to guy the next time i see him that he's gettin' love on my blog ... he'll love that :-). thanks again for the support!

Unknown said...

I hear you say you spent time in Bad Kreuznach Germany. I did too all though it would be your dad that may have knew me. I am a retire Army Sargeant and was assigned to HHC 8th Inf. Div.. I was there from 1978 to 1981. I am now living in Billings MT and watch your show regularly.

Sunny Anderson said...

donnr, i did spend time in bk! it was just after you left though, so you probably don't know my dad. we were there from around 84-87. what a great town though right? did you ever eat at rosie's? i really think this year i'm going to take a trip back and visit the city. miss it so much and i want my pomme frites and bratwurst!

Unknown said...

Did not eat a rosie's but do love bratwust and pomme fritz. did a second tour in Germany Vilseck 4 years. I also love brochen, snitzel and curry ketchup.