Our Blog

In this season given to tidings of comfort and joy, and as our team at the orthodontic office of Dr. Jennifer Martin reflect on the year that was, we’d like to ask you, our wonderful patients and readers: What do you love about the holidays this year? Being with your loved ones? A clean slate for 2012? Opening presents by the fireplace? All the delicious food? Also, what gift are you most looking forward to getting this year?

We’d love if you shared with us here, or on our Facebook page, all the things you love about the holidays. Stay warm, and don’t forget to stay away from those sweets and crunchy foods!

Happy Holidays!

A different take on traditional scalloped potatoes, from Dr. Jennifer Martin and team.

SCALLOPED POTATOES WITH CREME FRAICHE
2 cloves garlic smashed
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
3 pounds waxy potatoes (such as Yukon gold or Yellow Finn) peeled
3 cups half and half
1/2 cup creme fraiche
2 tablespoons all purpose flour
2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme
1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon ground mace
salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup chopped chives

Preheat oven 300 degrees. Rub garlic all over the inside of a 3 quart baking dish, then mince it. Grease the dish with about 1/2 tablespoon butter. Slice the potatoes about 1/8 inch thick (a mandoline works well). Combine in a large saucepan with the minced garlic, the remaining 2 1/2 tablespoons butter, the half and half, creme fraiche, flour, thyme, mace, 2 1/2 teaspoons salt, and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil over medium high heat and cook, stirring until the mixture thickens slightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the chives and transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish, shaking it to distribute the potatoes evenly. Bake, uncovered until the potatoes are fork-tender, about 1 hour 5minutes, occasionally spooning some of the liquid over the top. Let cool 10 minutes before serving. Yum Yum!

Happy holidays from all of us at Dr. Martin's office!

In the Spirit of Giving this holiday season, our office will be collecting toys for the Marine's Toys for Tots Foundation. You can drop off a new, unwrapped toy to our office prior to December 16, 2011.

Please stop by our office anytime during regular business hours to drop off your donations.

We are located at:

401 Gregory Lane, Suite 126
Pleasant Hill, CA 94523
P: 925-676-8485

Thank you for your generosity and Happy Holidays from all of us at Dr. Martin's office!

Check out this recipe for chocolate pixies! Happy Monday!
CHOCOLATE PIXIES
1/4 cup margarine or butter
4 oz (4 squares) unsweetened chocolate
2 cups sugar
2 cups all purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 eggs
powdered sugar

In large saucepan over low heat, melt margarine and chocolate stirring constantly until smooth. Remove from heat, cool slightly. Lightly spoon flour into measuring cup, level off. Stir in flour, sugar, walnut, baking powder, salt and eggs; mix well. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 1 hour for easier handling.
Heat oven to 300 degrees, shape dough into 1 inch balls; roll each in powdered sugar, coating heavily. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets. Bake at 300 degrees for 13 to 18 minutes or until set. Immediately remove from cookie sheets. Cool completely.
4 dozen

Also, congrats to the following patients of Dr. Martin who are celebrating birthdays this week!

Bridgette J
Nazeela R
Samantha R
Neha M
Courtney W
Jocelyn H
David N
Max V
Madeline W
Christopher L
Alyson M
Will R
Jocelyn W
Meghan C
Joseph E
Taylor K
Tiffany A
Drake H
Yuki O
Orazio D
Serena G
Johathan Q
Edward R