2018 New Hampshire Magazine Gift Guide

100+ Ideas for Everyone on Your List!

2018

Plus:

“Night Before Christmas�

A Humorous Analysis

by New Hampshire Storyteller Fritz Wetherbee

Holiday Recipes & Events Calendar

A supplement to

magazine

New Hampshire Magazine’s

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night before Christmas. . . . . . . . . 6

DECEMBER 2018

by New Hampshire Storyteller Fritz Wetherbee

Holiday Events Calendar . . . . .

14

Holiday Entertaining. . . . . . . . .

18

Home Cooking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

24

Unique Granite State venues

ON THE COVER: Anheuser-Busch Merrimack Biergarten’s Brewery Lights Experience

Festive party cocktails

Easy (but delicious) recipes from our editors

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McLean Communications, Inc. President/Publisher Sharron R. McCarthy x5117 smccarthy@mcleancommunications.com Editor Rick Broussard x5119

editor@nhmagazine.com

Advertiser Index Anheuser-Busch Merrimack Brewery Tours ............... Inside back cover

Art Director Chip Allen x5128 callen@nhmagazine.com

Apotheca .................................................. 29

M anaging Editor Erica Thoits x5130 ethoits@nhmagazine.com

Bedford Fields ......................................... 25

Assistant Editor Emily Heidt x5115 eheidt@nhmagazine.com

Ben's Sugar Shack ..........Inside front cover

Contributing Editor Barbara Coles barbaracoles@comcast.net

CR Helicopters ......................................... 13

Food Editor Susan Laughlin sllaughlin@gmail.com

Dorr Mill Store ............................................ 9

Production Manager Jodie Hall x5122 jhall@nhbr.com

E.W. Poore Framing, Inc. ........................ 27

Senior Graphic Designer Nicole Huot x5116 nhuot@mcleancommunications.com

Easterseals .............................................. 27

Senior Graphic Designer Nancy Tichanuk 5126 ntichanuk@mcleancommunications.com

Fuller’s Sugarhouse................................... 5

Graphic Designer Candace Gendron x5155 cgendron@nhmagazine.com

Gondwana & Divine Clothing Co. ............ 5

Group Sales Director Kimberly Lencki x5154 klencki@mcleancommunications.com

Hayward’s Trading Post .......................... 25

Business Manager Mista McDonnell x5114 mmcdonnell@nhbr.com

Home Cook's Pantry................................... 2

Senior Sales Executive G. Constance Audet x5142 caudet@nhmagazine.com

Jacques Flower Shop................................ 3

Sales Executives Josh Auger x5144 jauger@nhmagazine.com

Jonathan’s Jewelers .................................. 1

Jessica Schooley x5143 jschooley@mcleancommunications.com

Mill Falls Marketplace ............................... 9

Events & Marketing Manager Emily Torres x5125 etorres@mcleancommunications.com

Nashua Sew & Vac .................................. 13

Sales/Events Coordinator Amanda Andrews x5113 aandrews@mcleancommunications.com

NH Liquor Commission .............Back cover

Sales Support Manager Angela LeBrun x5120 alebrun@mcleancommunications.com

Smitten at the Bedford Village Inn............. 4

Business/Sales Coordinator Heather Rood x5110 hrood@mcleancommunications.com

Statement Boutique ................................. 11

Digital Media Specialist Morgen Connor x5149 mconnor@mcleancommunications.com

WineNot Boutique . ..................................11

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A Fritz Wetherbee

“NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS” A classic poem is dissected and analyzed by New Hampshire’s favorite storyteller, who you can catch nightly on WMUR’s “New Hampshire Chronicle.”

opening illustration by peter noonan

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OK, about Santa Claus ...

The guy upon whom the Santa legend is based was St. Nicholas, a Roman Catholic bishop in Asia Minor in the fourth century.

but just as Gertrude can be “Gertie” or “Trudy,” “Nicholas” can be “Nick” or “Claus.”

The story goes that he came from a wealthy family. Nick’s parents died in a plague when he was just a kid, and the church adopted him.

“Kris Kringle” comes from the Dutch, “Christ Kindl” meaning Christ Child.

So that’s it — “Saint Claus” ... “Santa Claus.”

When he became a priest, he gave all his inherited money away.

Now, about our Santa Claus, the Santa Claus we all know and love — the one in the Coca-Cola ads ... the big guy in the red suit: Is Santa a giant in a red suit?

One story goes that there were these two young ladies who had no dowry.

Not likely.

Back then you had to have a dowry or no one would marry you.

The young priest, Nick, is supposed to have thrown a bag of gold coins through their window on Christmas Eve. The small bag landed in a stocking.

This is why we traditionally put an orange in the toe of our Christmas stocking. It represents that bag of gold.

Also that’s where the stocking thing comes from.

The main source for how Santa looked is the old, “Night Before Christmas” poem, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas,” by Clement Moore.

And a note here: “A Visit from Saint Nicholas” was not written

by Clement Moore, it was written by Major Henry Livingston of Poughkeepsie, New York. Mr. Moore passed it off to his own kids as his and they got it published as a surprise to dad. Surprise is right. Poor Clement Moore lived with the lie the rest of his life. He is still credited with its authorship.

We say, “Saint Nicholas” or “Saint Nick,”

A Fritz Wetherbee “Night Before Christmas”

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“A Visit from St. Nick” nonetheless has the classic description of Santa so let’s, for a change, pay attention to the words.

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the house Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care In the hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds While visions of sugarplums danced in their heads.

And Mama in her ’kerchief and I in my cap Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

No heat in the bedrooms back then.

Everyone wore headgear to bed.

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter, I sprang from my bed to see what was the matter.

OK, time to pay attention: “... such a clatter ...”

There is a noise out there big enough to wake a guy up!

Away to the window I flew like a flash Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow Gave a lustre of mid-day to objects below.

When what to my wondering eyes did appear But a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer.

So, obviously, the sleigh was coming across the new-fallen snow.

Else why would there have been a clatter?

Now, a miniature sleigh and eight tiny reindeer. Miniature and tiny are what they mean, the sleigh is no more than three or four feet long. And the reindeer? The reindeer are the size of Chihuahuas!

With a little old driver so lively and quick I knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.

A little old driver! Get it? Santa is small enough to sit in a miniature sleigh. The guy could only be a couple feet tall.

More rapid than eagles his courses they came And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name, Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on, Cupid! on, Donner and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch to the top of the wall Now dash away, dash away, dash away all!

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly When meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky So up to the housetop his coursers they flew With a sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

This is how the sleigh got on the roof, the wind blew it!

It did not fly!

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof The prancing and pawing of each little hoof “Little” again.

the rig is coming across the lawn, leaving tracks So in the snow.

A Fritz Wetherbee “Night Before Christmas”

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(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10) As I drew in my head and was turning around, Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

So the fireplace is there in the folks’ bedroom.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot.

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread.

He spoke not a word but went straight to his work And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk.

These stockings would be regular-sized kids’ hose. The toys would necessarily be small both to get down the chimney and to fit in the stockings; stuff like yoyos and jackknives and candy.

Of course he is dirty, look at the way he got in. Also, he got down the flue because he was so small. Chimney flues back then were large.

And laying his finger aside of his nose, And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose

And what’s this about all in fur? No red suit?

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle And away they all flew like the down on a thistle.

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back, And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes how they twinkled, his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry.

His droll little mouth was drawn up in a bow, And the beard on his chin was as white as the snow.

But I heard his exclaim, ere he drove out of sight Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good night.

Now, an elf yelling in the night would necessarily have a high voice, not the “Ho, ho, ho” that Santas at the mall do.

He sounded more like Bart Simpson than Darth Vader.

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath.

Talk about politically incorrect, this guy smokes (and in a stranger’s house without permission) and he wears fur!

This is not an example I would want my child to follow.

He had a broad face and a little, round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bow full of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself.

Where do I start? The guy is overweight to boot and ... he is an elf! Santa’s helpers may be elves, but Santa himself is an elf.

Not only that, but the writer of the poem is laughing at him. One does not laugh at a “little person.” Again, politically incorrect!

• So there you have it; Santa is an elf. He is two feet tall. If you sat in his lap, you would injure him.

• Santa smokes a lot. Santa wears disgustingly dirty fur clothes. He smells of creosote, and he is overweight. He has a high, squeaky voice, and when he comes to town, his sleigh is so noisy it wakes people up.

• Of course this is all in fun. Santa, as we all know, looks however we want him to look because, as we told Virginia, the old guy is in our hearts.

• My Santa looks like Andy Rooney.

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

A Fritz Wetherbee “Night Before Christmas”

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

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Holiday Events Calendar There’s no shortage of Christmas events in New Hampshire From the first of December right up until the big day itself, holiday cheer is available everywhere from the theatre stage to fields of trees. What to choose? Where to go? The following events and sights to see are some of our favorites, and include everything from the classic to the quirky.

Scene from a previous of performance Carol” “A Christmas ric at the histo re Palace Theat

our Jingle Bell T in Jackson

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New Hampshire’s version is indeed little, and there’s more going on here than just being able to say you visited Bethlehem at Christmas. First, bring your Christmas cards to the town post office. There, you can have your greetings postmarked with “Bethlehem, NH” and stamped with a special image that depicts the town. Errand complete, head to the historic Rocks Estate for a unique cut-your-

NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

own-tree experience. Complete with horsedrawn wagon rides, s’mores and carols, this is not your average tree farm. The gorgeous turn-of-the-century estate is lovely at any time of year, but with the rows of Christmas trees dusted with snow and the sounds of jingling bells in the air, it’s truly magical. Open November 7 through Christmas Eve from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. (603) 444-6228; therocks.org

COURTESY PHOTOS

Visit Bethlehem

Where to enjoy the sights and sounds of the holidays ...

River High School in Durham (7 and 2 p.m., respectively). northeasternballet.org

“A Christmas Carol” Like “The Nutcracker,” this Christmas staple can be found on stages around the state. If you’re of the opinion it’s not really Christmas until you see Tiny Tim and company, then don’t miss the production at the historic Palace Theatre in Manchester.

Carolers greet you at the door, and the full-scale show itself includes impressive special effects, actors from across the country and a live orchestra. Shows from November 30 to December 23.

(603) 668-5588; palacetheatre.org

Christmas at Canterbury

COURTESY PHOTOS

Visit Jackson Jackson charms right from the start with its iconic covered bridge, built in 1876. The town itself is postcard-perfect — it’s the quintessential New England village with white steeples and charming small inns, including the Christmas Farm Inn (yes, really). It’s an ideal home base for exploring all that Jackson offers at Christmastime.

Events include the Jingle Bell Tour, where you’ll take a horse-drawn wagon from stop to stop, collecting delicious chocolate treats as you go, and the Traditionally Yours celebration, which includes craft fairs, cookie decorating, open houses, drink tastings, the tree lighting and much more.

Jackson is also a premier destination for winter sports, especially cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, as the Jackson

Ski Touring Foundation maintains a huge network of trails and offers rentals, guided tours and lessons. The Jingle Bell Tour runs on Saturdays and Sundays from November 24 to December 16. Traditionally Yours takes place from November 23 to December 16. jacksonnh.com, christmasfarminn.com

“The Nutcracker” The beloved Tchaikovsky ballet appears at venues all over the state (find more at nhmagazine.com/calendar), but one of our favorites is performed by the Northeastern Ballet Theatre. Helmed by Edra Toth, a former Boston Ballet prima ballerina, Northeastern pulls out all the stops.

Performances are on December 2 at the Kingswood Arts Center in Wolfeboro (2 p.m.), and December 15 and 16 at Oyster

Labrie Family Skate at Puddle Dock Pond, watch the lighted floats during the holiday parade or enjoy the beautiful Candlelight Stroll.

Details for these events and more can be found at vintagechristmasnh.org.

Christmas at the Little White Church A charming concert featuring pianist Dana Cunningham and cellist Max Dyer.

Eaton’s Little White Church invites you to enjoy the simple beauty of acoustic piano and cello in this extraordinary setting.

December 9, 4 p.m. littlewhitechurch.com

Enjoy the delights of Christmas in a simpler era. The Canterbury Shaker Village offers two of these special events on December 8 and 15. You can watch an old-time 19th century magic show, meet Father Christmas, make Christmas-inspired crafts, admire a toy train display or listen to fiddlers. There’s also cider, carolers and the lighting of the Christmas tree. 3-8 p.m. shakers.org

Vintage Christmas The past is celebrated in Portsmouth as well with this series of events that take place at various venues, including the Strawbery Banke Museum. Check out the sugary creations at the gingerbread house contest, visit the many independent shops, take in the musical version of “Elf” at The Music Hall, go ice skating on the outdoor

Santa taking wish list items at Canterbury Shaker Village

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Holiday Events Calendar

(Continued)

The Christmas Revels

rie and head to Lab s te ka s e ic r u Grab yo y ck Pond or enjo o D le dd u P at Family Skate anke at Strawbery B ll o tr S t h ig el a Candl . in Portsmouth (pictured left) governing the city and organizing its Feast of the Seven Fishes, has lost perspective.

Will a tatty troupe of comedians, fresh off an unsuccessful European tour, remind the Doge to embrace the magic of his city at this most festive time of the year?

December 13-16, The Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College, Hanover.

(603) 646-2422; revelsnorth.org

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

“A Victorian Christmas” Pontine Theatre’s co-artistic directors, Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers, celebrate the holidays with a program of Victorian-era Christmas stories. The centerpiece of “A Victorian Christmas” is an original toy theatre adaptation of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” Toy theatre is a form of miniature theatre that

was popular in the Victorian era. This is an entirely different way to experience a familiar Christmas story. Happening from December 6-9 at the Pontine Theatre, Portsmouth. (603) 436-6660; pontine.org

Buzz Ball Your hosts for this 8th annual event are Greg and the Morning Buzz. Join them and

PHOTOS BY PHOTO BY DAVID J. MURRAY/CLEAR EYE PHOTO

Each year, Revels North explores the holiday traditions of a different country and time. This year’s performance is titled “A Venetian Celebration of the Winter Solstice,” where it’s the height of the Renaissance, and the vibrant city of Venice is bursting with excitement. La Vigilia di Natale, Christmas Eve, is fast approaching. The Doge, overwhelmed with

... and the tastes too!

COURTESY PHOTO

Marguerite Mathews and Greg Gathers from The Pontine Theatre present toy theatre, a form of miniature theatre that was popular in the Victorian era.

their crazy friends for this wonderful holiday treat. The show features New England’s best entertainment with some very special guest musicians, comedians and actors. This is the ultimate holiday rock and roll variety show. December 13, 7 p.m. at The Capitol Center for the Arts, Concord.

(603) 225-1111; ccanh.com

Tuba Christmas This year marks the 45th anniversary of Tuba Christmas, an international event that started as a tribute to famous tuba player William J. Bell, who was born on Christmas in 1902. Hearing your favorite Christmas tunes in all-tuba form is not your usual yuletide tradition. For those tuba players out there, the invitation is open to join

— registration times and fees are noted on the website, tubachristmas. com. Various instructions include whether or not you should bring a music stand or to wear red and green.

There are five New Hampshire Tuba Christmas performances in Colebrook (December 22, Trinity United Methodist Church), Keene (December 2, Keene State College), New London (December 1, First Baptist Church), Plaistow (December 8, Timberlane Regional Performing Arts Center) and Wolfeboro (December 8, All Saint’s Episcopal Church).

Vintage Christmas in Portsmouth also includes a gingerbread house contest.

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Holiday Cheers Delic ious an d simple cockta il r ec ipes for holiday enterta ining

Hard Cider Sangria A summertime favorite gets a seasonal update 1 cup apples, quartered and thinly sliced 1 navel orange, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise

1 cup chilled apple juice 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice ¼ cup apple brandy 22 oz. chilled hard apple cider Optional garnishes — cinnamon sticks, star anise In a pitcher, combine the apples with the orange, apple juice, lemon juice and brandy. Just before serving, add the hard cider. Serve in tall glasses over ice.

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Salted Caramel White Russian The salted caramel craze in liquid form 1 oz. salted caramel coffee liqueur (Kahlúa or Baileys Salted Caramel Irish Cream) 2 oz. salted caramel vodka (Smirnoff and Pinnacle have salted caramel flavors) 1 oz. half & half Caramel sauce Optional garnish — caramel candies, rosemary sprig Rim edge of glass with caramel sauce and coarse salt.

Set aside.

In a cocktail shaker filled with ice, combine the coffee liqueur, vodka and half & half. Stir with a spoon to combine.

Drip caramel sauce down the side of a drinking glass.

Add ice until the glass is about three-quarters full, then pour in the cocktail.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

Holiday Moscow Mule This simple drink gets festive flair ½ oz. simple syrup ½ oz. unsweetened cranberry juice 1 ½ oz. gin or vodka 2 oz. chilled ginger beer 1 rosemary sprig Orange slice, for garnish Sugared cranberries, for garnish Combine simple syrup, cranberry juice and gin.

Pour over ice and top with ginger beer. Serve garnished with rosemary, orange wedge and sugared cranberries, if desired.

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Mulled Wine Though mulled wine is typically made with red wine and fruit, there are many variations on this cozy, warm drink.

Having a pot of this on the stove as guests arrive is guaranteed to put everyone in a festive mood.

1 750 milliliter-bottle red wine 1 orange, sliced into rounds, plus more for garnish 6 whole cloves 3 cinnamon sticks 3 star anise ¼ cup honey ½ cup brandy In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients. Bring to a simmer — not a boil — then reduce heat to medium-low. Simmer gently over low heat for 10 minutes.

Serve warm and garnish with more citrus slices and cinnamon sticks.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

Blood Orange Mimosa Perfect for a holiday brunch 2 cups fresh blood orange juice 1 bottle dry Prosecco or other dry sparkling wine

Optional garnishes — blood orange slices, sprigs of thyme or sage Pour ¼ cup juice into eight champagne flutes. Top off each glass with some Prosecco and, if you like, attach a slice of blood orange to rim of each glass.

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HoME Cooking PLANNING YOUR HOLIDAY MENU

The editors at New Hampshire Magazine aren’t professional chefs, but they have some culinary tricks up their sleeves. Here are two easy favorites that will nonetheless impress your family and guests.

See our recipes on pages 26 and 28. >>

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

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The Cheesiest Mac and Cheese New Hampshire Magazine Managing Editor Erica Thoits

I

too much, but if health and nutrition

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, plus a bit more to butter the casserole dish

were of no concern, I would eat mac

5 ½ cups milk

and cheese every day. I leap at the

½ cup all-purpose flour

doubt this little confession sets me apart

excuse to make it, and there’s no better

2 teaspoons salt, plus more for water

season for indulgence opportunities than

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

the holidays. I bring it to potlucks and

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

parties and home to my family’s Christmas table. I’ve largely adapted this version, with only a few small changes, from my go-to cooking blog, Deb Perelman’s Smitten Kitchen. She, in turn, adapted it from Martha Stewart. I’m not overselling it all that much when I say this is positively the cheesiest, gooiest, creamiest mac and cheese of all time. You’re welcome.

½ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or to taste) ½ teaspoon smoked paprika (or to taste) 4 ½ cups grated sharp white cheddar cheese 2 cups grated Gruyère ½ cup grated Pecorino Romano or Parmesan cheese 1 pound elbow macaroni

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Butter a 3-quart casserole dish; set aside.

A note on cheeses: If you made this as written (right), it would be good. Here’s what I’ve done to make this recipe my own and, in my opinion, next level. If you can find it, replace regular Gruyère with Red Apple Cheese’s apple smoked Gruyère. I’ve had luck, off and on, sourcing it at Hannaford. If you can’t get your hands on it (or something similar), here’s another option: Swap the 2 cups of Gruyère for 1 cup regular Gruyère and 1 cup smoked Gouda. Or, swap half the regular cheddar for a smoked variety. You get the idea. The smokiness (with some help from the smoked paprika) adds a really nice depth of flavor that I call “mac and cheese for adults.” Another tip: Don’t skimp on the cheddar quality. I am all about strong cheese, so I typically go for an aged extra sharp cheddar.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Melt the 6 tablespoons of butter in a highsided skillet over medium heat. When the butter bubbles, add the flour. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute.

While whisking, slowly pour in the hot milk a little at a time to keep mixture smooth. Continue cooking, whisking constantly, until the mixture bubbles and becomes thick, 8 to 12 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in salt, nutmeg, black pepper, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika and most of the cheese. Leave yourself enough to sprinkle over the top of the casserole before putting it in the oven.

Cook pasta in a large pot of salted water, but do not cook until completely done. You want it to be soft on the outside, with the inside underdone. Shoot for 2-3 minutes less than what the package says. It will finish cooking to perfection in its bath of cheese sauce. If you cook it all the way first, you’ll end up with cheesy mush.

Transfer underdone pasta to the casserole dish and pour in the cheese sauce.

Top with reserved cheese. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes. Let it rest for about 5 minutes before digging in to avoid burning yourself with cheese magma.

Surprise them with a unique gift from

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

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Doofunny Apple Pie

M

That’s Yuna, deploying “please feed me” eyes.

Filling 6 cups thinly sliced, peeled apples ¾ cup sugar 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon salt

⅛ teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespoon lemon juice Place all in a big bowl and stir gently until mixed.

Pre-heat oven to 425 degrees Prepare the crust and filling as described (at right) Bake 40-45 minutes (cover edges of crust with a strip of foil after the first 15-20 minutes to keep it from over-browning).

Cool on rack for two hours before serving (hah!).

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

New Hampshire Magazine Editor Rick Broussard

y mother loved to cook and the holidays were always her chance to shine. When she made pies for Thanksgiving or Christmas (or anytime, really), she would take the leftover raw crust and roll out it thin on wax paper, then brush it with butter and evenly sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over it. Then she would carefully roll up the crust into a log and refrigerate it. After her baking, while the oven was still hot, she would take out that log and cut thin slices that she could bake, making crisp, buttery cookies that she called (for reasons known only to Mom) “doofunnies.” Doofunnies were an easy way to treat the kids and Dad and keep them all out of the pies and other baked good until they had cooled or until the company arrived.

The other day, my wife was describing an apple pie she had seen on Pinterest that she said she wanted me to make (I’m the primary cook in our household). The crust, she said, looked like it was made up of spirals of dough and cinnamon.

“Doofunnies!” I exclaimed.

A more careful cook would have looked up the Pinterest recipe, but I am a carefree cook. Also a lazy one. I went out and bought a box of Pillsbury premade pie crust and used the “Perfect Apple Pie” recipe on the side. Apple pie is about as easy as pie gets, and what we were going for was not special filling, but a special effect.

I worked one of the crusts into the bottom of a 9-inch glass pie dish and dumped the apple filling I’d made into it. I put the other on a sheet of baker’s parchment, where I rolled it out a little thinner. Then, from memory, I tried to recreate the butter, sugar, cinnamon formula I had watched my mom apply so many times. It’s hard to screw this up, trust me, just don’t overdo it.

I rolled it up, blunted the ends and then wrapped the log in the paper and refrigerated it for an hour.

Then I sliced it into cute, irregular little pinwheels, about 1/8-inch thick, and arranged them as close together as possible into a circle (more or less) on some fresh parchment and covered it with a second sheet to make it easier to roll. Just a few moments of rolling made the whole thing into a solid sheet of wobbly spirals. I took off the top sheet of paper off and used the bottom sheet to transfer to the pie dish. With an easy flip and a little care, I had an artsy top crust to connect with the bottom crust with a little pinching and crimping (by the way, I should have made my top crust wider, because there wasn’t much to crimp).

The resulting pie looked impressive (flaws and all) but more importantly, it tasted great. The doofunny crust was like a topping of the crisp, buttery cookies my mom made, but these were floating on a sweet bubbling mass of baked apples and caramelized brown sugar. The crispness disappeared when the leftover pie was refrigerated, but the pie still looked and tasted extra special when we heated it later and topped it with vanilla ice cream.

As my family gobbled it down, I could picture my mom, still dusted with flour and powdered sugar, smiling down from her cloud-borne kitchen in Heaven.

Oh, forgot to mention that I’m on a low-carb diet, something that my wife knew well when she first mentioned her Pinterest fantasy pie to me. Darn her.

At left is a simplified version of that Pillsbury “Perfect Apple Pie” recipe from the box, but you might have your own. I use a mix of brown and white sugar in mine and, believe it or not, if you replace the lemon juice with key lime juice, it adds a nice character to the filling, IMHO.

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The magic is at Smitten! Contemporary and effortlessly stylish clothing, jewelry, handbags and accessories — all rare finds at Smitten for fabulous gift-giving.

Dorr Mill Store is bursting with distinctive holiday gift ideas for men and women, such as blankets, throws, sweaters, washable wool shirts, scarves, wool hats, mittens, gloves, wallets and belts.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

Save 20% on in-stock merchandise now through Christmas at Jonathan’s Jewelers in Bedford, including December’s birthstones blue zircon and tanzanite, as well as other fine jewelry!

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Give the very best. We have a large selection — from traditional maple jugs to maple gift sets. Order online or visit our country store in Lancaster, NH.

For the ultimate gift of holiday cheer, visit the gift shop for brewery fresh beer!

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Unique Gifts

Hayward’s Trading Post features an amazing array of merchandise including clothing, boots, moccasins, slippers, blankets and throws, mittens and gloves, scarves, hats, belts, handbags and more.

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Gifts for sewing enthusiasts.

Machines, carrying cases, accessories.

It’s easy with online gift certificates.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE MAGAZINE’S GIFT GUIDE 2018

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Give your friends and family members the best of everything New Hampshire has to offer, a gift they’ll appreciate each and every month. Perfect for everyone on your list!

New Hampshire Magazine Subscribe online at nhmagazine.com or call 877-494-2036.

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