I was reading one of my favorite food/pastry blogs, Eggbeater, and I noticed that the author was bothered by the same thing that irritated me recently. I didn’t get worked up enough to write a letter to Food & Wine on the topic, but I guess that’s why she’s the pro.

The content of her complaint (F&W, which is a pretty serious food magazine, recommended using butterscotch chips in a recipe to “save time”) jumped out at me when I read the issue too. Note that I am not stuck up about using time-saving techniques or the occasional boxed ingredient (I would like to send a special shout-out to the makers of Near East brand whole-grain boxed side dishes). But when I read F&W I expect to learn new techniques. Luckily, Ms. Shuna of eggbeater taught me what the magazine did not.

But all is not lost! Tonight Denny and I are having our immediate family (read: Aprille and Denny) Christmas celebration. I’ve got a ribeye marinating in garlic and rosemary right now, which Denny will grill up tonight, along with some shrimp for me. I’m also making a sweet potato/bacon side dish from the cover of this month’s F&W. If it turns out well, I will forgive them for the butterscotch situation.

As per our tradition, after dinner we will make hot chocolate spiked with something tasty (I like amaretto) and watch Love, Actually, which is sweet and cheesy and funny and a modern Christmas classic. Then tomorrow morning we’ll open our presents and stockings. I’m excited about it.