Friday, December 21, 2012
Struggling with how to make those last few batches of Christmas cookies? Try these hassle-free ideas.
These cookies start with a cake mix! One can make several varieties from just one batch of dough. If you’re full-up with sugar cookies, use a chocolate fudge cake mix. The cookies were a big hit with my family, and they’re fun to make with kids. “Cake and Bake” base ingredients: With an electric mixer, beat together the Crisco, butter and vegetable oil. It may seem odd to use three different types of fat in one recipe, but go ahead and try it. The butter adds flavor, the shortening keeps the cookies from spreading too much, and the vegetable oil keeps the mixture from being grainy. Add the eggs and vanilla, and beat well. Add the cake mix and beat well, set dough aside and assemble your extras. For the extras, think fun things such as …
Homemade spiced nuts -- holiday treats and easy gifts.
These crunchy, slightly sweet nuts are wonderful munchies to offer your Thanksgiving or Christmas guests. Both kinds of nuts keep well in the freezer for several months, or you can serve them right away. They won’t be around for long! Spiced Almonds 1/3 cup white sugar 2 tsp. ground cinnamon ½ tsp. ground allspice ½ tsp. seasoned salt ¼ tsp. nutmeg 1 large egg white 3 cups whole shelled almonds Preheat your oven to 250º. Mix sugar, spices, and salt in a small bowl. In a large bowl with high sides, beat egg white with an electric mixer until the egg white is foamy. Add all the nuts to the bowl and toss gently to coat with the egg white. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the nuts and toss to coat nuts evenly. Lightly coat a large cookie …
Monday, November 26, 2012
Two flexible recipes to suit your schedule: slow-cooker pork chops and flexible cranberry chicken.
This is the season when the demands on your time increase exponentially, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa—or no holiday at all! The week after Thanksgiving seems to be a good time to take a deep culinary breath, while we finish up our creatively-doctored leftovers and before we start preparing holiday meals. It’s a great time to cook ahead, throw some meals together and freeze them. You can dump them in the slow cooker in the morning on your way out the door. Then that unexpected overtime, extra choir practice, shopping trip—or anything else unexpected—won’t mean a stop at the drive-thru! These recipes are quick to put together and have short ingredient lists. And, because they aren’t typical holiday foods, they give …
Friday, November 23, 2012
Check out these recipes to make the most of all that turkey still in your fridge.
You have eaten your way through several plates of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and gravy, and cranberry sauce, drank a glass – or three – of wine and watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade or your favorite college or NFL team play. Now what? While your holiday shopping list may come to your mind, I'm thinking about all of the turkey and side dishes left over from your Thanksgiving feast! Here are a few ideas to use those yummy holiday leftovers. For a filling breakfast, spread butter on toasted bread. Top with a sunny-side-up egg and pour on a bit of gravy. Add a slice of turkey if you want. Make a sandwich, Thanksgiving style. Instead of using the usual mayonnaise and mustard, spread a thin layer of cranberry sauce and …
Thursday, November 22, 2012
What to do if a vegetarian friend or family member is on the guest list for your holiday dinner.
You're a bona fide carnivore. And a vegetarian family member and/or friend is coming to your holiday dinner. What to do? Don't panic… here are a few tips and recipe ideas to make your gathering a vegetarian friendly success. First, the obvious: ask your guest(s) what their dietary restrictions are. For example, some vegetarians incorporate dairy and egg products into their diet, others do not. If you can't find out, be cautious and skip these ingredients all together. Depending on how many vegetarians will be at your dinner table, make one or two extra vegetable dishes. This will not only give them more variety, but your thoughtfulness will be appreciated as well. Mashed potatoes is an easy dish to make vegetarian. Instead of using milk …
