Holiday Parties, Carols, and Holiday Recipes!

Let's be honest. Most nights I stay in and watch my favorite television shows with friends. Monday tends to be Gossip Girl with the girls, Tuesday you can find my roommate and I unabashedly loving 90210, and Wednesdays are Glee with a smattering of fun people. I don't want to bore anyone, so here is an unusual event and highlight from this week:

Cody's Holiday Party!!

When it's winter in NY, it takes a lot to venture off of my couch and so much more to get me 200 blocks uptown to Inwood. I knew that the trip would be worth it, however, because the attendees would be among my favorites (they were) and this party would fulfill a lifelong DREAM of sitting around a piano singing Christmas carols. (IT DID).

IT WAS AMAZING and I felt like Judy Garland. With a glass of mulled cider in hand, we literally sat around Cody's piano and called out any carol we could muster and fervently desired to sing. Some died down after a few seconds once we all realized and defeatedly admitted that we didn't know the words to nearly enough Christmas carols, while others lasted for several satisfying verses (Baby it's Cold Outside- phenomenal party moment), thanks to Cody's delightful preparation of lyric sheets. (You're amazing). Night full of movie moments. Cody, an amazing pianist and composer, astounded me with his ability to play anything by ear, embellish, and improvise. I wish that I could do this. Thank you for this party, Cody.



And for that pie, Laur...

This party, in addition to holiday spirited mulled cider, featured an incredible pie from Momofuku that I am so psyched to attempt to recreate for my family over the holiday. Recipe below. Too good for blogging words, but let's just say I needed to pry myself away from the buffet table and use ALL of my willpower not to devour more than just a sliver.

My Jewish roommate and best friend: "Doesn't your family sing Christmas carols together every Christmas?" Oh, redhead how I love you and your Christmas movie skewed perception of how Christmas observing Americans celebrate the holidays.

I wish!!! Does anyone really do this?! Please let me know if your family does, because I will come over. Other than Bing Crosby, Judy Garland, Regis and all of their friends? Maybe I should join a different family! (SO KIDDING. God, I love my family) Maybe I should institute this. We do listen to them a la CD and, luckily, they know better than to try to get me to sing.

I will be attempting this over the holidays and perhaps my signature peanut butter ball as well! I suggest you do the same :)

From David Chang's Momofuku Milk Bar

Crack Pie (Also known to some as a variation on the infamous Southern Chess Pie, but I think Crack Pie is all too appropriate a title for how addictive this pie is!! It's very rich, so can be considered "too rich" for some, but that just means that you'll get your roommate's piece.

Crack Pie

Makes two 10-inch pies
• FOR THE OAT COOKIE
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1/2 cup light-brown sugar
• 3 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/8 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• FOR THE CRUST
• 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tablespoon light-brown sugar
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• FOR THE FILLING
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup light-brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons milk powder
• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted
• 3/4 cup heavy cream
• 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 8 large egg yolks
• Confectioners' sugar, for dusting
Directions
1. Make the oat cookie: Preheat oven to 350 degrees; line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all oat cookie ingredients until well combined. Spread cookie mixture in an even layer on prepared baking sheet. Transfer to oven and bake until golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool slightly on a wire rack.
3. Make the crust: Using your hands, crumble oat cookie into a large bowl. Add butter, brown sugar, and salt; using your hands, toss until crumbly and well combined.
4. Divide mixture evenly between two 10-inch pie plates; pat into bottom and up sides. Set aside.
5. Make the filling: Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together sugars, salt, and milk powder, breaking up any lumps. Whisk in butter, heavy cream, and vanilla until well combined. Whisk in yolks until just combined.
6. Pour filling into prepared pie crusts. Transfer pies to oven and bake until filling is set, about 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 315 degrees and continue baking until top of pie is golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Transfer to refrigerator and refrigerate until cool. Dust with confectioners' sugar just before serving.