Rebecca Rather was born for holidays. Those of us with well-spattered copies of Rather's first book (The Pastry Queen) have encountered her earthy and exuberant spirit before, and know that she was destined to write about holidays. And we are excited to see her include recipes for all aspects of a holiday table in addition to her justly famous baked goods.
Rather is a self-taught chef and the owner of Rather Sweet Bakery in Fredericksburg, Texas. Without formal teaching, she proceeded by trial and error, which taught her to relish success and understand that there is no such thing as failure, only learning and experimenting. In gusty Texas style, Rather moves fearlessly in the kitchen and her spirit imbues the home cook with the same desire to have good old-fashioned fun.
The Pastry Queen Holidays is organized around parties, around conviviality and a community sprit. This is a book about expressing friendship with food, about hosting a party to share the season. Types of parties form the organization of the book, and it seems inevitable that with her wide open Texan spirit, she begins with a chapter of recipes for a "Holiday Open House." Here you'll find recipes for an Old-Fashioned Eggnog, for Cranberry-Walnut Scones, Mustard Baked Ham, Creamy Chicken Lasagne, and Tiny Whiskey-Glazed Eggnog Cakes.
For the lovers of the casual, she offers suggestions for a "Ranch Barn Brunch." No, you don't actually need the barn; just a happy spirit and a host of loved ones. Here she concocts recipes for a Texas Antipasto Platter, Mexican Ranch Chilaquiles. There is a section for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The recipes range from "Oysters Rockefeller Soup to Mascarpone Grits Cakes, perhaps a Texas Spice-Rubbed Roast Pork on Christmas Day or Good Luck Truffles for New Year's Eve.
Rather is primarily a baker and her baked goods are inventive as well as spectacular to see. Try her Mini Bourbon-Macadamia Nut Pies, or Christmas Coconut Cake, perhaps and elegant Glazed Chocolate Pavé for New Year's Eve. The only problem here is deciding which dessert is the most appealing.
With community in mind, Rather has provided entertaining and craft ideas as well. You will find sections for hosting tree-trimming parties; building gingerbread houses (with a template); decorating christmas cookies and making edible holiday gifts.
About the Author:
REBECCA RATHER started the Rather Sweet Bakery and Café© in 1999 and has been hawking buttery scones and luscious cakes from behind the case ever since. She has been featured in Texas Monthly, Gourmet, Ladies' Home Journal, Food & Wine, Southern Living, Chocolatier, and Saveur. Rebecca cooks, bakes, and hangs her saddle in Fredericksburg, Texas.
ALISON ORESMAN has worked as a journalist and restaurant critic for more than 20 years, writing and editing for newspapers in Wyoming, Florida, and Washington State. She lives in Bellevue, Washington.
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