photo by Angie Naron

Good mornin’ little guys! Are you ready for an adventure?

I admit it. I’m a Lost addict. I simply can’t get enough of this show and I’m not really sure why. All the exploding fiery plane bits were pretty exciting in the beginning and then I kept on watching…because who can deny the wonders of, oh well, being lost on a island in the middle of nowhere I guess. Ooh the mysteriousness of it all makes me tingly inside. This is love right?

Okay…honestly, this isn’t about me. It’s about FISH BISCUITS people!

Because we all know that fish biscuits have the power of love hidden inside. Like a strangely morphed scene from Like Water For Chocolate, I’ve been imagining those secret Dharma cooks laboring away over a hot oven mixing batches of biscuit dough and being sure to cry a few tears into the bowl. What else in the world could inspire two incredibly dirty and hot kids to get nekkid in a cage on camera?

As a little token of my love on this V-day I’ve made a special batch of Lost Fish Biscuit cookies! And while the recipe I used might say “flavored with citrus zest” I promise you…every bite tastes like strawberries.

I started plotting my cookie project many months ago, wondering what make for the best combination of recipe and coloring. Figuring out the correct size by comparing the layout of Sawyer’s mouth/hand/face biscuit munching action came in handy (thanks for actually taking a bite on camera dude).

Mixing up what I thought would be the first test batch of several it all turned out to perfectly. While it’s not hard to make your own cookie cutters (tutorial here), I decided to create a template on stock paper and cut them out by hand with a sharp knife. It didn’t take long considering they’re life size; each cookie is about eight inches in length, two inches wide, and almost a half inch thick. Since the cookies are so large you have to roll out the dough on your baking sheet or a silpat otherwise they’ll get distorted if you try to move them. One batch of dough will yield around five cookies and the lovely salmon color comes from one quarter bottle each of both red and yellow food coloring.

I made two paper templates one of which I used to cut out the cookie shape, the other I folded in half and used as a guide for the lettering. While looking at the top half of the template (which is laid on top of the raw cut out cookie dough) I used a small butter knife to press the bottom half of each letter. Then removing the template I finished the top of each letter. It’s not perfect but it still looked close to the real deal. A purist with money might simply buy a cake letterpress set like this one, but you can also download my fish biscuit template and have a go at it the freestyle way.

As a parting present here’s a little video recap of the moment Lost became a legend in my mind. Thanks for the fish biscuit dance Sawyer…and thanks Kate, for taking a bite of his already half eaten cookie.

For those Lost fanatics out there here’s a sound clip just begging to be turned into a ringtone.

-Kat

It’s so exciting to see the World Food Programme fundraiser has reached over $30,000!!! Who woulda thought that blogging could help change the world…awesome isn’t it?

There are still four days left to buy raffle tickets and tons of amazing Menu For Hope prizes available. To help out I’ve compiled a mega-list of all the prizes that can be shipped internationally. The items listed below are available worldwide.
Included are prizes from numerous countries including the US, France, Britain, Malaysia, Australia, Japan, and Canada, and more.

Here is the Raffle Ticket Purchase Info, and here is the Full List of Prizes (includes regional only items).

Please remember: Unless noted the donor will cover all shipping costs, but it is your responsibility to research and handle any import/duty restrictions and fees. This is particularly important for edible items.

There are some amazing prizes being offered from specialty themed food packages, autographed cookbooks, original artwork and photography…to handmade treats, blog redesign services, tech gadgets, camera gear, tshirts and more. Of course I have to give my own donation (a one of a kind signed Alice Waters ceramic platter) a quick shout-out…so be sure to check it out.

Click thru to view prize details!

Artful Works
Cookbooks & Beyond
Drinks on the House
Kitchen Collectibles
Tasty Treats
Special Stuff

Artful Works

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AP13 – Personalised Food History for Your Day of Choice
crafted by The Old Foodie, more info: The Old Foodie

EU18 – Three Italian Food Photo Prints by Ilva
more info: Lucullian Delights

EU23 – Original Lobstersquad Framed Watercolor Food Illustration
more info: Lobstersquad

UW21 – Original Ander Kase Wine Country Landscape Painting
donated by: Ander Kase, more info: Life’s A Banquet

UW26 Cookin’ at the Castello Cookbook & Food Photo Print
more info: Hedonia

UE01 – Original Art by Syd, Autographed Nancy Thomas Cookbook & Gift Mug
more info: S’kat and the Food

UE02 – Original Lauderee Chocolate Macarons Watercolor Painting
more info: Paris Breakfasts

UE18 – Original Jean-Pierre Got Pastel: Champagne et Repas Chaud
more info: Serge The Concierge

UE27 thru UE 33 – Handmade Marshmallow Pinwheel Cookies (12) & Photo Print
more info: Nika’s Culinaria
note: each Raffle code is good for one photo and 1 batch of 12 cookies

WB23 – Autographed Jerry Hall Wine Label Poster
more info: Winewaves

WB24 – Autographed Vertical from Puriri Hills Winery
donated by: GenevelynSteeleSwallows, more info: Vinography

Cookbooks & Beyond

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AP05 – A Collection of 7 Travel Guides & Cookbooks
donated by: Editions Didier Millet, more info: Chubby Hubby

AP11 – Sean Moran and Karen Martini Cookbooks: Let it Simmer & Where the Heart Is
more info: Stonesoup

AP14 – New Zealand Taste Magazine Cookbook: Taste Favourites
more info: WinosAndFoodies.com

AP15 – Peta Mathias Book: A Cook’s Tour of New Zealand
more info: Homemades

AP20 – Autographed Copy of Karen Coates Book: Cambodia Now
more info: Rambling Spoon

AP21 – Donna Hay Cookbook: Instant Entertaining
more info: Food Lover’s Journey

AP26 – Six Malaysian Cuisine mini Cookbooks on
more info: Babe in the City

AP27 – Two Nyonya Chinese Cookbooks
more info: Babe in the City

AP28 – Two Asia Pacific Vegetarian Cuisine Cookbooks
donated by Babe’s hubby KK, more info: Babe in the City

AP30 – Japanese Cookbook & Bento Box Starter Kit
donated by Santos, more info: The Scent of Green Bananas

AP32 – Cookbook of Traditional Malaysian Recipes
donated by Robyn, more info: Eating Asia

AP34 – Set of 4 Autographed Anthony Bourdain Books
more info: Cha Xiu Bao

AP37 – James Halliday Reference Book: Wine Atlas of Australia
donated by Hardie Grant Books, more info: Tomato

AP38 – Gordon Ramsay Cookbook: Sunday Lunch
donated by Hardie Grant Books, more info: Tomato

AP40 – Fair Trade Food Hamper & Autographed Kylie Kwong Cookbook: Simple Chinese Cooking
donation by Georgia, more info: Mocktale

AP41 – Anderson Ho Cookbook: Tasting Menus of New Asia Cuisine
donated by Joone, more info: Nibble and Scribble

CA01 – Tea for Hope Handmade Gift & Beverage Package
more info: Claquee

CA02 – Nibbles & Sips for Holiday Entertaining Recipe Collection
more info: Seven Spoons

CA05 – Michael Smith Cookbook: East Coast Cookery
more info: Chef Girl

CA07 – Baker’s Bounty Cookbook Collection
more info: Canadian Baker

CA08 – Signed Dorie Greenspan Cookbook: Baking
more info: I Like to Cook

CA09 – Culinary Calgary to Go Cookbook & Gift Package
more info: I Like to Cook

CA10 – An Endless Banquet of Goodies Gift, Cookbook, & Food Package
more info: Endless Banquet

CA12 – Susur Cookbook
more info: Hungry in Hog Town

CA15 – Food That Really Schmecks Cookbook
more info: Cardamom Addict

CA16 – Celebrations 101 & Juice! Book Collection
more info: Cream Puffs in Venice

EU09 – Belgian Chocolate Truffles & Dorie Greenspan Cookbook: Baking
more info: What’s For Lunch, Honey?

EU12 – Tessa Kiros Cookbook: Apples for Jam
more info: Peppermint Tea

EU15 – Choice of Italian Artigianale Food Basket or Italian Cookbooks Collection
more info: Ms. Adventures in Italy
note: will ship anywhere Amazon.com covers

EU17 – Swedish Tea Kit & the Cookbook: Swedish Cakes and Cookies
more info: A Cat In The Kitchen

EU22 – Autographed Chocolate & Zucchini Cookbook
more info: Chocolate & Zucchini

EU24 – British Food & Travel Subscription, PLUS Handmade Travelers Lunchbox & Food Package
donated by: Food & Travel and Travelers Lunchbox, more info: Travelers Lunchbox

EU25 – South African Cookbook & Food/Beverage Package
more info: Cook Sister!

UW15 – Arabesque Cookbook & $25 Penzey’s Spice Voucher
more info: Erin’s Kitchen

UW24 – Star Wars Rare Memorabilia, Cookbook & Homemade Wookie Cookies
more info: Becks & Posh

UW28 – Autographed San Francisco Chefs Cookbook
more info: Food Musings

UW40 Chronicle Cookbooks Collection
donated by: Chronicle Books, more info: Tea & Cookies

UW42 – Autographed Tartine, The Cookbook
more info: Eggbeater

UW45 – Cradle of Flavor Cookbook
donated by: James Oseland, more info: Rasa Malaysia

UW46 – Cradle of Flavor Cookbook
donated by: James Oseland, more info: Rasa Malaysia

UW47 – Famous Street Food of Penang: A Guide & Cook Book
more info: Rasa Malaysia

UC02 – Food Play & Two Cake Cookbooks Collection
more info: A Readable Feast

UC03 – Mindless Eating & Three Cookbooks Collection
more info: A Mama Cooks

UC08 – New York City Gourmet Treats & Cookbook
more info: Running with Tweezers

UC09 – Autographed Ideas In Food Photo Book
more info: Ideas in Food

UE01 – Original Art by Syd, Autographed Nancy Thomas
Cookbook & Gift Mug
more info: S’kat and the Food

UE16 – Donna Hay Cookbook: Off the Shelf: Cooking From The Pantry
more info: La Tartine Gourmande

UE17 – Southern Treats Food Basket & Cookbook: Gift of Southern Cooking
more info: Brandon Eats

UE21 – 2nd Edition: The Oxford Companion To Food
donated by: Oxford University Press, more info: The Food Section

UE24 – 18 Chocolates From Kee’s & 1 Year’s Subscription to Donna Hay
more info: Sassy Radish

UE33 – Cookbook: Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World
more info: Here and There 123

WB08 – Personal Weekly Wine Blog RSS Feed
more info: Winecast

WB10 – Free Subscription to the Bon Vivant Wine Guide
more info: Drink The Good Stuff

WB12 – Evan Goldstein’s Book: A Master Sommelier’s Practical Advice for Partnering Wine with Food
more info: The Corkdork

WB14 – Oxford Companion to Wine Reference Book
more info: Dr. Vino

WB16 – Two Ultimate Wine Reference Books
more info: Purple Liquid

Drinks on the House

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AP12 – One Bottle Handmade Polish Cherry Vodka
made by At My Table, more info: At My Table

CA01 – Tea for Hope Handmade Gift & Beverage Package
more info: Claquee

UW07 – Wine & Olive Oil Package
more info: Fifth Flavor

UW11 – Custom Blend Fresh Roasted Coffee, Demistasse Cups Set & Photo Print
more info: Cook & Eat

UW13 – Mocha Me Happy Food & Beverage Package
more info: Cooking with Amy

Kitchen Collectibles

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AP04 – Japanese Kasumi Chef & Hattori Santoku Knife Package
donated by: Razorsharp, more info: Chubby Hubby

AP30 – Japanese Cookbook & Bento Box Starter Kit
donated by Santos, more info: The Scent of Green Bananas

AP36 – ‘Boite a biscuits’ French Storage Tin & Trinkets
more info: blog.lemonpi.net

AP42 – Tonfisk Designer Ceramic Teapot & Tea Package
donated by T Connection, More info: Grab Your Fork

CA01 – Tea for Hope Handmade Gift & Beverage Package
more info: Claquee

CA9 – Culinary Calgary to Go Cookbook & Gift Package
more info: I Like to Cook

CA10 – An Endless Banquet of Goodies Gift, Cookbook, & Food Package
more info: Endless Banquet

EU30 – Handmade Stoneware & Israeli Food Package
more info: Mud Pies in Jaffa
note: shipping paid up to $50

EU34 – Autographed Gale Gand Chef Jacket
donated by: Food Network’s Gale Gand, more info: David Lebovitz

UW11 – Custom Blend Fresh Roasted Coffee, Demistasse Cups Set & Photo Print
more info: Cook & Eat

UW19 – Autographed Alice Waters Ceramic Serving Platter
more info: Kung Foodie
note: shipping paid up to $15

WB24 – A Signed Vertical from Puriri Hills Winery
donated by: GenevelynSteeleSwallows, more info: Vinography

Tasty Treats

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AP16 – Japanese Wagashi Sweets Making Kit
donated by Obachan, more info: Obachan’s Kitchen and Balcony Garden

AP17 – Half-kilo Cambodian Kampot Peppercorns
donated by Phil, more info: Phnomenon

AP22 – Australian Honey & Beeswax Package
donated by Malfroy’s Gold, more info: Grab Your Fork

AP25 – Cupcake/Cake Decorating Kit
donated by Santos, more info: The Scent of Green Bananas.

AP31 – US & European Dark Chocolate Sampler
donated by Chika, more info: She Who Eats

AP40 – Fair Trade Food Hamper & Autographed Kylie Kwong Cookbook: Simple Chinese Cooking
donation by Georgia, more info: Mocktale

AP43 – $100 Koko Black Melbourne Chocolates Gift Voucher
donated by Koko Black, more info: A Few of My Favourite Things

CA10 – An Endless Banquet of Goodies Gift, Cookbook, & Food Package
more info: Endless Banquet

CA11 – Two Dozen Handmade Kayak Soup Chocolates
more info: Kayak Soup

CA13 – The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting Kit
more info: Ala Cuisine

CA17 – Nova Scotian Goodness Food Package
more info: Teh Culinary Skillz

EU07 – Maki’s Hand Selected Eclectic Food & Gift Hamper
more info: Just Hungry

EU09 – Belgian Chocolate Truffles & Dorie Greenspan Cookbook: Baking
more info: What’s For Lunch, Honey?

EU15 – Choice of Italian Artigianale Food Basket or Italian Cookbooks Collection
more info: Ms. Adventures in Italy
note: will ship anywhere Amazon.com covers

EU17 – Swedish Tea Kit & the Cookbook: Swedish Cakes and Cookies
more info: A Cat In The Kitchen

EU20 – Ten Count Swedish Candy Collection
more info: Clivia’s Cuisine

EU24 – British Food & Travel Subscription, PLUS Handmade Travelers Lunchbox & Food Package
donated by: Food & Travel and Travelers Lunchbox, more info: Travelers Lunchbox

EU25 – South African Cookbook & Food/Beverage Package
more info: Cook Sister!

EU30 – Handmade Stoneware & Israeli Food Package
more info: Mud Pies in Jaffa
note: shipping paid up to $50

EU31 – Amai Tea & Bake House Cookie and Brownie Package
more info: Keiko of Nordljus

UW07 – Wine & Olive Oil Package
more info: Fifth Flavor

UW13 – Mocha Me Happy Food & Beverage Package
more info: Cooking with Amy

UW14 – Hawaiian Ma’ona Dessert Package
more info: Ma’ona

UW15 – Arabesque Cookbook & $25 Penzey’s Spice Voucher
more info: Erin’s Kitchen

UW20 – Maison Kase Wine Country Kitchen Food Package
more info: Life’s A Banquet

UW24 – Star Wars Rare Memorabilia, Cookbook & Homemade Wookie Cookies
more info: Becks & Posh

UW27 – Rancho Gordo Food & Gift Package
donated by: Steve Sando @ Rancho Gordo, more info: Becks n Posh

UW29 – Handmade Middle Eastern Mamoul Cookies (12)
more info: Mahanandi

UW30 – Handmade Indian Sunnundalu Sweets (12)
more info: Mahanandi

UW34 – San Francisco Bay Area Food Package
more info: Married With Dinner
note: shipping paid up to $25

UW38 – Persian Pantry Food Package
more info: Gastronomie

UC01 – Turkish Delights Food Package
more info: Almost Turkish Recipes

UC08 – New York City Gourmet Treats & Cookbook
more info: Running with Tweezers

UE05 – Oregon’s Rogue Creamery Artisan Cheeses Gift Box
more info: HeatEatReview

UE14 – New York in A Box Food Package
more info: Amateur Gourmet

UE17 – Southern Treats Food Basket & Cookbook: Gift of Southern Cooking
more info: Brandon Eats

UE23 – Box of LA Burdick’s Chocolate Signature Mice
more info: The Sour Dough

UE24 – Chocolates From Kee’s & a Year’s Subscription to Donna Hay
more info: Sassy Radish

UE25 – Portable Party from Chelsea Market
donated by: Chowmaster, more info: The Amateur Gourmet

UE27 thru UE 33 – Handmade Marshmallow Pinwheel Cookies (12) & Photo Print
more info: Nika’s Culinaria

Special Stuff

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AP47 – Creative Zen V Plus 2Gb MP3 Player
donated by ST, more info: Cheat Eat

AP49 – Ricoh Capilo R3 Digital Camera (used) & Accessories
donated by Ivan, more info: food.recentrunes.com

CA03 – Custom Blog Banner Makeover
more info: Hooked on Heat

EU29 – Professional Logo or Header Design & Complete Blog Makeover
donated by: Lobstersquad and Bluebird Blogs, more info: Lobstersquad

UW09 – Pangea Organics Bodycare Package
donated by: Pangea Organics, more info: 101 Cookbooks

UW41 One Eggbeater T-shirt
more info: Eggbeater

UC06 – Photo Studio in a Box
donated by: Untangled Life, more info: Untangled Life

UC07 – Apple Ipod Nano
donated by: Untangled Life, more info: Kalyn’s Kitchen

UC13 – Farmgirl Fare’s Honorary Lamb Adoption
more info: Farmgirl Fare

UC14 – Photo Studio in a Box
donated by: Kalyn, more info: Kalyn’s Kitchen

WB07 – Your Health and Wine: A Free Consultation
donated by: Dr. Enouch Choi, more info: Vinography

WB08 – Personal Weekly Wine Blog RSS Feed
more info: Winecast

I URGE you to dig through the lists below and bid on items for yourself and loved ones. This unique collection runs from personal tours and delicious meals to cookbooks, edible treats, and unusual foodie gifts. There’s really no excuse not to buy at least one raffle ticket…cause I know your going to be drooling.

Each $10 donation is good for one raffle ticket for a single prize of your choice.Click here to see the full list of prizes.

My personal contribution to the raffle is a very special one-of-a-kind ceramic platter signed by Alice Waters. Yes, THE Alice Waters people!

This platter was donated by Waters as an auction item to Women of Taste, the food and wine fundraiser for Girls Inc. education programs. As the lucky recipient of the platter I felt that it would be awesome to see it continue to do good in the world. The platter is eleven inches in diameter with Alice’s signature in a raised orange gold glaze. It’s in pristine condition and would make an awesome holiday gift or collectible for any food lover. I can offer free delivery in Berkeley, or if you’d like to pay for shipping and insurance I will happily send it to you anywhere in the world!

To bid on this item please follow the instructions below and use code: UW19

1. Go to the donation page at http://www.firstgiving.com/menuforhopeIII

2. Make a donation, each $10 will give you one raffle ticket toward a prize of your choice. Please specify which prize or prizes you’d like in the ‘Personal Message’ section in the donation form when confirming your donation. Tell us how many tickets per prize along with the prize code.

*For example: a donation of $50 can be 2 tickets for UW01, and 3 tickets for UW02.

3. If your company matches your charity donation, please remember to check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

4. Please also check the box to allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

5. Check back on Chez Pim on January 15 when we announce the result of the raffle.

4. If your company matches your charity donation, please check the box and fill in the information so we could claim the corporate match.

5. Please allow us to see your email address so that we could contact you in case you win. Your email address will not be shared with anyone.

Don’t take too long, bidding ends on December 22nd!

photo by Look at My Photos

Here’s the great big Kung Foodie collection of gingerbread links!

I’ve spent a number of hours combing the web for the best house pattern links. This is an edited list of the ones I found to be the most unique and/or well documented. The King Arthur Flour website has probably the easiest and most detailed tutorial on building gingerbread houses. If you’re a beginner this is the best place to start.

Unusual Creations

• (Photo) Firquoet’s Gingerbread Star Wars Tie Fighter
  …a new companion to the edible At-At Walker
  (Photo) Rickynils’ Fractal Gingerbread Snowflakes
• (Photo) (Plan) 64bits’ Gingerbread PC Computer
• (Photo) (Plan) NASA Gingerbread Spacecraft

Advanced Patterns

• (Photo) (Plan) (Recipe) Haunted Dimensions Paris Disneyland Mansion
• (Plans, see below) more Haunted Dimensions Homes
  House 1, House 2, House 3, House 4
• (Photo) (Plan) (Recipe) Franky’s Attic Gingerbread Houses
  …a collection of 32 different patterns total!

Traditional Plans

• (Photo) (Plans, see below) Bob Villa This Old House
  Colonial, Saltbox, A-Frame, Side Gable
• (Plan) (Recipe) Gingerbread Lane
• (Photo) (Plan) (Recipe) Martha Stewart Gingerbread*

*recommended by Heidi at 101 Cookbooks

Gingerbread Books

• Christie Currie – Gingerbread Houses
• Aaron Morgan & Paige Gilchrist – Making Great Gingerbread Houses: Delicious Designs
• Joanna Farrow – Gingerbread Houses, Animals & Decorations
• Veronika Gunter – Weekend Crafter: Making Gingerbread Houses

Baking Tips

• Place aluminum foil or parchment under dough before rolling and cutting pieces. You can then easily move the foil/parchment to a baking pan without having to touch the dough. Just start with a fresh piece of foil for each batch.
• Roll your dough thin. Gingerbread will puff up a bit as a cooks. The thicker the pieces the harder it is to match edges, as well as keep your structure from falling apart due to weight.
• If your edges have curled while cooking you can quickly use a pizza cutter to trim them.
• Gingerbread fresh out of the oven is often still soft and can be molded into shape by placing on cans or other objects while cooling.

Frosting Tips

• If you feel safe making a batch of caramelized sugar glacee this holds much better than royal icing as a base mortar (although I wouldn’t recommend this if you have kids helping as it gets very hot and can easily cause burns).
• Make plenty of royal icing* ahead of time. There’s nothing worse than running out in the middle of mortaring a wall or frosting decorations.
• Ziploc baggies are great to use if you run out of disposable pastry bags while piping frosting. The mini sizes work perfectly if you just need a small amount of colored icing.
• Shuna at Eggbeater once showed me a great pastry bag trick during a cooking class she instructed. Just use a clothespin to pinch the cut end of the pastry bag shut if you need to stop in the middle of working. A small spring paperclip would also work (tho it’s not as cool).

* I prefer to use an eggless royal icing recipe which calls for meringue powder, which I get at my local baking supply shop. It’s possible that any store which carries Wilton products will have it as well.