CHRISTMAS FUDGE

Christmas is almost here and everyone I know is running around looking for that last minute mini-gift for the mailman, a teacher, the newspaper boy or even the UPS man!!

This fudge recipe is the perfect answer!! Not only is it quick and easy to make, but it tastes great and I love that it can be made way ahead of schedule.



4 cups white sugar
1 twelve ounce can of evaporated milk
8 ounces of real butter (no margarine or spreads)
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 TABLESPOON vanilla
chopped nuts if desired (we like honey roasted peanuts)

In a heavy bottomed sauce pan, mix the white sugar and evaporated milk; bring it to a boil over medium high heat.  Once it is at a full rolling boil (one that you can not stir down), turn the heat down to medium and boil for 6½ minutes (stirring CONSTANTLY). I stir with a wooden spatula that has a square end and I stir in a figure 8 (the flat blade of the spoon really scrapes the  bottom of the pan well).

After 6½ minutes at a full rolling boil, remove the pan from the heat and add the butter, a TABLESPOON of vanilla and all of the chocolate.

At first the butter will sort of stay separate from everything, but if you use a whisk, it will incorporate quickly. When it's all smooth, add the nuts if you are using them (as many as you like).

Pour into a FOIL LINED 9" x 13" pan and cool overnight in the fridge. If you are using these cute little tin foil stars (instead of the 9" x 13" pan), you can just wrap them in clear cellophane bag (after they are chilled) and tie it up with a bright Christmas bow!!

 MERRY   CHRISTMAS   FRIENDS!!!

NOTE: You can make this with any flavor chocolate chips you like.
I've tried them all and the only one I DON'T recommend is using ALL semi-sweet. The three chocolate blend listed above results in a wonderful flavor (you won't taste the white chocolate, but it adds a lot to the final taste).

Note: Make sure you use a good quality butter, not a soft spread butter or a diet butter and definitely no margarine.

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APPLE PIE JAM

This is another great tasting recipe in my "Gifts from the Kitchen" series.  It is very economical and it is unique enough to make a great gift for co-workers, church friends, babysitters, etc. (any time you need a small gift from the heart for friend).

It really does taste just like an apple pie!!

APPLE PIE JAM

6 cups diced granny smith apples (6 or 7 apples)

1/2 cup apple juice  (you can use water in a pinch)

1/2 teaspoon butter

3 cups granulated sugar

2 cups brown sugar

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (freshly ground is best)

(1) small box (1¾ oz.) Sure-Jell Premium powdered pectin

Dice the apples, then put them in the food processor for just a (very) few pulses. You don't want the pieces too small.

Cook the apples, apple juice and butter (in a large heavy pot with tall sides) over low heat until the apples are soft but not mushy.

Stir in powdered pectin and bring to a full rolling boil (one that does not stop boiling when you stir it); stir constantly.

When it comes to a full rolling boil, add the sugars, cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir well and bring back to another full rolling boil.  Keep it at a full rolling boil (while stirring) for exactly one minute, no longer.

Remove from heat and skim off any foam from the surface of the jam(if there is any). Pour the jam into HOT clean jars, leaving 1/4" head space. Wipe the rims of the jars with a CLEAN wet cloth and put on the two piece lids (hand tighten). 

Process in a hot water bath:  half pints for 10 minutes; pints for 15 minutes.  This recipe makes (7) half pint jars.

NOTE: As with a lot of jams that have chunks of fruit, if you aren't careful, the fruit will "float" in the jar and it won't be evenly distributed throughout the jam. It doesn't change the taste at all, but it isn't "picture perfect" for gift giving either.

To avoid that:  After you take the cooked jam off of the heat for the last time, Sit it on a towel or a pot holder so that the pan stays as hot as possible. Let  the hot jam sit in the hot p an for five minutes before you put it in the HOT jars. Stir the hot jam every 60 seconds or so with a CLEAN spoon. After the five minutes is up, put the jam in the hot jars and proceed with the same directions.  This little trick will stop the fruit bits from floating to the top (see above photo).



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GINGERBREAD HOUSE

Gingerbread houses make wonderful gifts. Not only are they easy (you really can't goof them up because frosting fixes everything) but they are an impressive GIFT FROM THE KITCHEN!!

You can make them out of gingerbread dough, like this one (it is delicious and smells fantastic), or you can make them out of graham crackers (glued together with royal frosting). You can make them simple or elegant. You can use any candy, cereal, cookies, crackers or pretzels you have on hand... let your imagination be your guide.

CLICK TO ENLARGE

Upside down (and frosted) ice cream sugar cones (decorated with sprinkles) make wonderful Christmas trees next to your gingerbread house. Pretzels make perfect fences, marshmallows make cute snowmen and if you really want to get fancy, you can use tufts of cotton candy coming out of a chimney for smoke and marshmallow cream frosted around the bottom of the gingerbread house makes wonderful snow ....the sky is the limit. Decorated gingerbread houses have a LONG shelf life if you use royal frosting (recipe below). It dries rock hard and is very strong.

5 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup vegetable shortening
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs

Beat the shortening and sugar together until well mixed and creamy. Add the molasses and eggs and beat until well combined.

Combine the flour, spices, baking soda and salt and slowly add it to the shortening-sugar mixture; beat until everything is smooth. 

You will be rolling out the gingerbread house pieces on the BACK of ungreased cookie sheets. The reason for this is so that after you cut out the pieces, they don't have to be moved before baking and they won't get mis-shapen.

CLICK ON THIS PICTURE TO ENLARGE

Use the above measurements to make a pattern on paper or a manila folder, even waxed paper will work. Roll out some of the dough right on the back of a big cookie sheet, using a lightly floured rolling pin, to about 1/8" thick.

Lay the paper pattern pieces right on the rolled out dough and cut the dough out with a sharp knife. Remove any excess scraps so that just the gingerbread piece is left on the back of the cookie sheet. Using the BACK of the cookie sheet also makes it a lot easier to slide the baked cookie onto a cooling rack (no cookie sheet "edge" to deal with.

Bake the pieces in a pre-heated 350° oven for 10-12 minutes or until lightly golden around the edges. Let the baked pieces cool on the pan a little before you try to remove them. Cool them completely on a wire rack.

Now the fun starts!!

ROYAL FROSTING 
This is what you glue the pieces together with

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
3 egg whites (if you are going to eat this use egg white powder)

In a large bowl, beat the sugar and egg whites until smooth. Place in a pastry bag with a star tip (or place in a resealable plastic bag and cut the corner off).

Use a large serving tray or a foil lined piece of heavy cardboard to hold the finished gingerbread house. Put a few dots of this royal frosting on the underside of the "floor" piece and stick it to the serving tray. This will keep it from sliding around if its moved.

Lay an end and one side of the gingerbread house down flat(where they are supposed to go) around the edges of the "floor". Pipe a generous line of the royal frosting around the edges of each piece.

Carefully lift and press the edges of one end of the house to the side of the house.Repeat for the other side.

Now, I've made these for years, and there is a trick I'll share with you.  Get the ends and sides up and use a little extra royal frosting on the seams but DON'T put on the roof until the next day.  If you wait until the next day, the walls will be VERY strong and there is no chance that the roof will be too heavy.

Day two, put the roof on and let the royal frosting harden until day three......now you are good to go, you can almost drive a truck over it after this point, and it won't break on you.

White tree's with sprinkles, green trees with sprinkles, pretzel fences, gum drop topped candy cane's, Necco shingles (frosted shredded wheat also makes great shingles).

This older photo is a "house" I made using chocolate graham crackers. I hope you try it. It might seem complicated, but once you make ONE......you'll be hooked.

NOTE: If your making this to eat (some people eat them, some people just display them), make the royal frosting using powdered egg whites (sold in the baking isle). If you are going to let little guys eat the gingerbread house..... use royal frosting to glue the structural pieces together, but use a softer frosting to embed the shingles or frost the trees. It makes it easier for the kids to "pick off" the candy goodies.
NOTE:  Royal frosting dries out almost instantly if it isn't covered with plastic wrap (that is why it makes such a great frosting "glue". Keep a wet dish towl over your frosting bowl while you work.

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Carrot Cake Cookies

December has come and it's rolling very fast.
This is the month that I was really waiting for. We're always super excited talking about this month. But, busy daily activities and hectic life make this wonderful month flies away fast, too fast for us to enjoy it.

Then, I decided to bring back the excitement feeling that I always have since I was small. The joy of waiting for the Christmas day,

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CROCKPOT SHORT RIB TACOS

The next two weeks are very busy "baking" weeks for me, how about you? I've made three different kinds of jam to put in gift baskets, and now I'm starting the fun stuff like cookies, breads and a gingerbread house.

While I'm happy to be in the kitchen, I'm not as happy about cooking real food (like dinner), so my crockpot is getting a workout while I have fun baking cookies.

Today's post came about the other day when I had some BONELESS beef short ribs thawed out and I had no clue what to do with them.  I decided to make boneless short rib tacos and they were SO GOOD, I will definitely be making these again!!

Start with 2½ pounds of BONELESS beef short ribs. I'm sure every butcher shop has their version, but the ones I use look like this and they are about 1/2" thick:

In a small cup, mix 3 teaspoons of chili powder, 1 teaspoon of ground cumin (don't leave that out), 1 teaspoon of salt, 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon of oregano and 1 tablespoon of dry onion flakes. Mix well and sprinkle both sides of the meat evenly as possible (no need to brown the meat). 

Put the seasoned meat in the crockpot and top with a 4 ounce can of undrained mild green chile's (I use Ortega).

Cook on low for 6 hours or until they are fall apart tender (it really depends on how thick the meat is). Don't add any liquid.

Remove the meat from the crockpot and cover with foil to keep warm for a few minutes. There will be about a cup of broth in the bottom of the crockpot...thicken it and coat the meat with the "taco gravy". Each boneless short rib makes one awesome taco!!

The leftovers (sliced on the bias) made fantastic grilled beef and cheese subs.



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GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN

Over the Christmas season, I will be posting a variety of easy recipes that I'm calling GIFTS FROM THE KITCHEN. The beauty of this idea is that you can make these gifts far in advance of your hectic holiday baking schedule and they will be "waiting in your pantry" for that neighbor, school teacher, office friend or unexpected last minute guest on Christmas Eve!! (check out link at end of this post for some wonderful (and free) "From the Kitchen of..." gift tags you can download).

My first GIFT FROM THE KITCHEN post is for Blueberry Jam... a quick and easy recipe that uses frozen blueberries (I don't even thaw them first). This jam has a wonderfully fresh taste!!

BLUEBERRY JAM (makes 8 cups of jam)

5 cups finely chopped frozen blueberries (see notes below)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
7 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon butter
(2) 3 ounce pouches of liquid Certo pectin

Prepare your jam jars. Personally, I put them through the hottest setting on my dishwasher, and then let them sit/steam in there while I make the jam. For the lids, I wash and rinse them, then let them sit in a pan of almost boiling water, while I make the jam.

We like a jam that doesn't have a lot of serious "chunk-age" (as picky-picky husband calls it) so I put the frozen blueberries in the food processor (a few cups at a time) and process them until they are about the size of rice, so the final jam has the consistency of a fruit spread. If you like "chunk-age" in your jam, just don't chop the berries so small.

The recipe calls for five cups of chopped berries. I use a regular measuring cup and pack as many chopped berries as I can in it (do that for each of the 5 cups). Place the chopped berries, lemon juice, sugar and butter in a large heavy kettle.

Heat on medium, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved.  Increase the heat to medium high and bring it all to a FULL ROLLING BOIL (one that will not stop boiling when you stir it).

Remove from heat (but don't shut off the burner) and add BOTH pouches of liquid Certo pectin (make sure you squeeze it all out of the pouch). Put the pan back on the heat and bring the jam back to a FULL ROLLING BOIL FOR ONE MINUTE.

Turn the heat off and skim any "foam" that is on top of the jam  (if there is any) and fill HOT jars, leaving 1/4" of head space.  Wipe rims of glass jars with clean, wet towel. Put on the two piece lids and tighten. 

Process in hot water bath: Pints for 15 minutes or half pints for 10 minutes.

NOTE: If you decide to thaw the berries (I never do)make sure you do not rinse them or drain them (you will want to include any berry juice that results from thawing.

NOTE: I can't tell you exactly how many pounds of frozen blueberries makes 5 cups of chopped berries. I'm guessing that I used about 1½ or 2 pounds?

NOTE: This recipe uses LIQUID pectin, I have never made this with powdered pectin. Certo is made by Sure Jell and there are two 3 ounce pouches of liquid pectin in each box.

NOTE: I found a trick in an OLD cookbook that has worked wonders to eliminate "floating jam pieces"...those bits of fruit that work their way to the top of each jar, but THIS STEP IS NOT NECESSARY!!! IT IS SIMPLY COSMETIC!!!

Right after you take the jam off of the heat for the last time, let it remain in the hot pan for FIVE MINUTES; gently stir (with a sterile spoon) every 60 seconds. It really does eliminate problems with floating fruit).

NOTE: I found some fantastic gift tags for "Home made gifts from the Kitchen" that you can download (free) at: www.unsophisticook.com   CLICK HERE       You can print them on cardstock or photo paper and they look excellent!!

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EASY THIN MINT COOKIES

Do you like Girl Scout thin mint cookies as much as I do? If so, you are in luck with this super easy, super quick, two ingredient recipe.  It is so easy, I can't even say it is a "recipe" because it uses all pre-prepared ingredients and it DOES taste JUST LIKE a thin mint cookie!!  I'm including these in my Christmas cookie trays this year.

I put a little extra white chocolate decoration on these, just for fun,

but it certainly isn't necessary.

You will need some Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers and some Andes (creme de menthe) chocolates.....that's it!!

The chocolate wafers come in a 9 ounce package and I found the Andes mints (those creamy little chocolate mints with the green center) in a 4.67 ounce package.  There are 28 mints in the package and one package will do a dozen cookies (I found the mint packages for $1.60 here in Alaska, so hopefully you can find them even cheaper.

I unwrapped and then melted the chocolates in my microwave for about 30 seconds...stirred and then microwaved them for another 10 seconds (stir until the chocolate is smooth and shiny). Dip the chocolate wafers in the melted chocolate (both sides) and place on some parchment paper (or Silpat). Stick them in the fridge (I used the freezer) for about 5 minutes to "set" the chocolate......that's it!!  

It is truly amazing how much they taste like a thin mint!! 



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Kue Pukis

As usual, November and rain come together.
Now, here in Jakarta almost everyday we shall 'enjoy' the rain that pouring the ground mostly in afternoon until night time. Nice warm morning sunshine is still granted by God for this city.

Computer, papers, Christmas songs, cookies, ...have become our friends through these busy and hectic days. It always happens in November. I managed to bake

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HOME MADE PANKO CRUMBS

Panko (breading) crumbs are the absolute best for many, many recipes. I recently used them to turn "ho-hum" shrimp into "wow, these are good" shrimp.  I've heard of people using them in meatloaf and meatballs (I haven't tried that yet) as well as a jillion other recipes.

My biggest problem with panko bread crumbs is that they can be expensive AND they are not something I routinely keep in my pantry.  That's why I was thrilled to make this discovery!!

Panko bread crumbs are different from standard bread crumbs because they are a made from shredded bread.  With that in mind, I FROZE 4 slices of regular (cheap) sandwich bread. I  then cut the crusts off and cut the resulting "squares" of sandwich bread in half.  I then stacked them up and fed them through the SHREDDER in my food processor.  This is what they looked like:

They were light and fluffy, just like commercial Panko crumbs!!

I then sprinkled them evenly over a dry cookie sheet, gently spreading them as thin as I could and baked them in a pre-heated  300° oven for about 10 minutes.  Actually, they were dry in 8 minutes, but I let them stay in their for a couple more minutes to be sure.  Just don't let them turn color.

This "recipe" will make about 1½ cups of crumbs, so if you double the recipe, make sure you bake it on two cookie sheets so the crumbs can spread out and dry properly.

I'm thinking of making whole wheat panko crumbs next!!

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CROCK POT SHORT RIBS

 We are starting our 4th day of 20° weather combined with non-stop wind gusts up to 50 mph... cold wind that goes right through your bones...that means it is definitely crockpot time.

I found this recipe on food.com and picky-picky husband gave it two thumbs up this evening. It smelled wonderful cooking all afternoon and we are already envisioning hot sandwiches with the leftovers. The meat was fork tender in 6 hours and the sauce thickened itself to a wonderful consistency. This is a great winter recipe.

CROCK POT BONELESS SHORT RIBS

2½ pounds boneless beef short ribs
1/3 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix the flour, salt and pepper and coat the boneless short ribs with it. Brown the meat in
1/4 cup of butter then put them in the crockpot.

In the same frying  pan, mix:
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup beef broth
3/4 cup red wine vinegar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup chili sauce (I used Heinz Chili sauce)
2 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon chili powder
2 tablespoons minced garlic (see note)

Bring to a boil then poor it over the meat in the crockpot.  Cover and cook on LOW for 9 hours Warning, this HAS to be a mistake). I know all crockpots are different, but our ribs were fork tender in 6 hours, so keep that in mind.

NOTE: Hubby is allergic to garlic, so I left it out. 

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CLASSIC BANANA CREAM PIE

Every family holiday dinner, I make way too many desserts. There is usually a cheesecake, a cream/pudding type pie, a fruit pie, cookies and something "experimental". That just means it is a recipe that I really want to make but I know picky-picky husband wouldn't touch it, so I need my family to "step in" and try it. 

As fun as it is to try new recipes, the old classics are always a hit; this banana cream pie is a tried and true family classic; it is the "real deal". It has a baked graham cracker crust, cooked vanilla custard, bananas and the most delicious whipped cream topping I've ever tasted (it has cream cheese in it)

GRAHAM CRACKER CRUST
1½ cups finely crushed graham crackers
¼ cup white sugar
6 tablespoons melted butter
Mix everything well and pat into a 10" pie plate. Bake at 350 for 8 minutes.

PIE FILLING
3 tablespoons cornstarch
1 and 1/3 cups water
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk (see note)
3 egg yolks, beaten
2 tablespoons butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 medium ripe bananas (cubed)

In a heavy saucepan over medium heat, dissolve the cornstarch in the water; stir in the sweetened condensed milk and egg yolks. Cook until thickened and bubbly remove from heat; add butter and vanilla. Set aside to cool slightly. Cube the bananas and fold into the slightly cooled pudding. Pour into cooled crust and lay some plastic wrap on the surface of the filling so that it doesn't form a skin. Chill in the fridge for about 3 hours. Frost with whipped cream topping.

WHIPPED CREAM (Stabelized)
I hope you do not skip this step because it really is delicious and "makes" the pie. This is my new "go to" whipped cream recipe.

(1) 8 ounce cream cheese (room temperature)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups heavy cream

With your electric mixer, beat the cream cheese, sugar and extracts in a large bowl until smooth (scrape sides to make sure you don't have any cream cheese sticking to the interior of the bowl). While the beaters are still running, slowly add the whipping cream (stop a couple times and scrape the bowl). Beat until you get stiff peaks. This makes enough topping to cover a 10" pie generously.

NOTE: Make sure you use sweetened condensed milk in the pie filling (and not evaporated milk).

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CREAM OF ____ SOUP MIX

I am so excited to share a "discovery" I found on the Utah State University web site. Maybe you already knew about this one, but I sure didn't.

It is a recipe for a simple dry mix that can be used in place of any "cream of ... soup"  in most recipes. 

How many times have you wanted to make a quick inexpensive casserole for your family, but the recipe takes $3+ worth of cream of chicken soup ?!? Problem solved!!

BASIC SOUP or SAUCE MIX
2 cups powdered non-fat milk
3/4 cups cornstarch
1/4 cup instant chicken bullion
2 tablespoons dry onion flakes
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning (optional)

Mix ingredients and store in an airtight container.  The above jar is equal to NINE (10½ ounce) cans of "cream of .... soup"!! No need to refrigerate the dry mix.

For any recipe that calls for a creamed soup, mix 1¼ cups of water with 1/3 cup of the above dry mix. Whisk together until smooth and cook (or microwave) until thick.  That's it!!   Add it to any casserole like you would a can of soup!!

The USU web site has a lot of recipes using this mix (they call it the Soup or Sauce mix). Here is the web address: SOUP OR SAUCE MIX

I'm thinking I will make another batch using beef bullion and some dehydrated mushrooms for mushroom soup!!  With the holidays coming up, I usually buy mass amounts of creamed soups, but not this year!!

The USU recipe link posted this cream of tomato soup recipe:
1/3 cup soup or sauce mix
1¼ cups cold water
Cook until thick, then stir in:
2 cups tomato sauce
Heat back up...serves 3

What could be easier? I threw in a pinch of red pepper flakes  for a little zip and a pinch of sugar.  The possibilities are endless!!

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Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan

This is the time of year when you need 

a few crock pot recipes for the busy days.

We were going on a long Fall hike for the 

afternoon and I knew we'd be tired and hungry

 when we got home.

 I put this together after lunch.

 Dip the breasts in the egg.

Combine the breadcrumbs with parmesan cheese, 

salt, and pepper. Add Italian seasoning if you are

 using plain breadcrumbs. Coat the chicken well.

 Put into an oiled crock pot and cover with cheese. 

I used muenster because that's what I used HERE.

 Pour the sauce over.

Cover and cook about 5 hours on low.

 If you like it extra cheesy, you can add another 

slice of cheese, or save some of the cheese to 

put on top for the last 10 minutes.

It will get melty-cheesy-good.

Sprinkle with fresh Parmesan and serve over pasta.

Crock Pot Chicken Parmesan

3-4 boneless chicken chicken breasts

about 1-1/4 lbs

1/3 C Italian breadcrumbs

1/3 C grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 t pepper

1/4 t salt

1 egg, slightly beaten

1 T olive oil

1-2 C shredded mozzarella or

 2-3 slices mozzarella or muenster

1 jar (26-oz) marinara sauce

Grease the inside of the pot

with the olive oil.

Cut the chicken into portion size if large;

In a shallow pie plate combine the breadcrumbs

(add 1/2 t Italian seasoning if using plain),

parmesan, pepper and salt

In another shallow pie plate lightly beat the egg.

Dip the chicken in the egg to coat both sides,

then dip both sides in the crumbs, pressing on to 

coat well. Lay the chicken in the pot.

 Lay a slice of cheese on each breast. 

Cover with the sauce. 

Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours.

The last 10 minutes you can add more cheese.

Serve over cooked pasta. Serves 4

Enjoy!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
The Charm Of Home, Common Ground,
Designs By Gollum, My Romantic Home

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Baked Brie en Croute

Baked brie is always a hit at parties.

En croute translates to "in a crust".

The easiest and most delicious way to serve it

is this classic Crescent-Wrapped Baked Brie.

This one is topped with fruit preserves and
chopped pecans. I used strawberry, but you can
also use raspberry, apricot or try it with my
Spiced Cranberry Chutney.

One half of the crescent roll square is the bottom
The other half on top. Brush with a beaten egg.

 Add the cutouts and brush again, then bake.
I used an ovenproof Longaberger platter.

Serve with sliced apples or pears.

 Baked Brie en Croute

1 can (8-oz) crescent rolls

1 round (8-oz) brie cheese

Fruit preserves-(raspberry, strawberry,

 apricot, orange marmelade, or chutney)

chopped pecans or slivered almonds

1 egg, beaten

crackers and apple slices for serving.

Heat oven to 350F. Unroll crescent dough;

 separate crosswise into 2 sections.

Pat dough and firmly press perforations to seal,

forming 2 squares. Place one square on ungreased

 cookie sheet. Place cheese in center of dough. 

With a small cookie or canape'cutter, 

cut 1 shape from each corner of each square. 

Set cutouts aside. Spread the top of the brie

 with fruit preserves and sprinkle with the nuts. 

Place the remaining square on top. Gently stretch

 and press dough evenly around the cheese;

fold bottom edges over the top; press to

 seal completely. Brush with the beaten egg. 

Top with cutouts; brush with additional egg.

Bake 20-24 minutes or until golden brown. 

Cool 15 minutes. Serve warm. 

Surround plate with optional apple slices, 

pear slices, grapes and crackers.

Enjoy!

Links: Between Naps On The Porch,
Jam Hands

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HOT SPINACH and ARTICHOKE DIP

Party season is coming up and if you are like me, you are starting to surf the Internet for that "next new and exciting" appetizer or party snack recipe. I keep all of those "potential recipes" in a folder on my desk and once in a while I look through it and say to myself..."what was I thinking?!?"  So much for late night Internet surfing I guess!!

Today's post is one of those traditional "never fail" recipes that seems to please everyone. I make it with low fat ingredients but you can't tell it. This tasty dip is hot and creamy (it stays hot for a while which is nice)and very easy to make.


8 ounce cream cheese (low fat ok)
1/4 cup sour cream (low fat ok)
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated, not powdered)
1/4 cup Romano cheese (grated)
2 cloves garlic minced (I used roasted from jar)
1/2 teaspoon dry basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic salt
salt and pepper to taste
(1) 14 oz. can artichoke hearts (rinsed)
1/2 cup red bell pepper (chopped finely)
10 ounces fresh baby spinach
1/4 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese

Plunge fresh spinach into boiling water for about 30 seconds, remove and put into large bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and squeeze dry and roughly chop.

Drain the artichokes and rinse under cold running water, then chop into small pieces.

Mix everything together and place in a (lightly greased) small oven proof dish. Bake at 350F for 25 minutes. Serve with pita chips or any sturdy cracker.

NOTE: This can also be baked in a hollowed out bread bowl instead of a baking dish.  

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PUMPKIN SPICE CUPCAKES

This is a wonderful recipe for several reasons: the cupcakes are super moist and tender, they are mildly spiced and the batter goes together with one bowl and a whisk; what could be easier? They are so tasty, that they really don't need a frosting, although I like to serve them frosted with a simple maple flavored butter cream (pumpkin and maple are MADE for each other). Everyone loves these simple cupcakes!!

In a large bowl, mix together with a whisk:

(1)  15 ounce can of pumpkin (not pie filling)
1 2/3  cup of granulated sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
(scant) 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
(scant) 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Whisk together until very well mixed, then add:

2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt

Mix well, then stir in 1/2 cup of raisins (optional).

Fill cupcake papers 3/4 full.  Bake in a 350 oven for 23-25 minutes (my electric oven takes 23 minutes) or until toothpick tests clean.  Remove and cool.

After the cupcakes have cooled, dust the tops with powdered sugar or frost with your favorite frosting.

I never measure my "everyday" frosting, but here's a stab at it:

Melt 3 tablespoons butter; add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon maple extract.
Add 1 to 1½ cups of powdered sugar and a couple tablespoons of cream.  Whisk till smooth. If it seems a little to dry, add another tablespoon of cream.  If it seems a little too wet, had another spoon of powdered sugar.  

MAKES 24 CUPCAKES

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Trip to Semarang (2) : Pasar Gg.Baru + {recipe} Bolang-Baling

My husband and children like call me 'a market lady'.
Some friends call me 'a market photographer'...hahaha. Hmmm fine.
One thing for sure that cannot be changed; I do like to visit traditional markets. It always turns to an exciting and memorable journey. I always find something new, to see and to buy.
...and later on, visiting a local traditional market has become a part of our travelling

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TRICK or TREAT !!

I recently came across this great trick or treat idea through an old friend who found it on feeling crafty.org   It obviously doesn't need "instructions" or a "recipe" but I just thought it was so clever and I wanted to share it.

I can see a big bowl of these ready for

trick-or-treaters on Halloween!!

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EASY PIZZA SAUCE

How many times have you decided to "wing it" for lunch and make little pizza's on English muffins, or french bread pizza and at the last minute you realize you don't have pizza sauce in the pantry!?!?  Well, here is a great (and super simple) pizza sauce to the rescue!!

The first time I tasted pizza was  when someone cooked a Chef Boyardee pizza for me when I was a teenager; do they still sell those pizza kits? I remember thinking it was the best thing I had ever eaten!!! lol   So, when I got married,  pizza sauce was one of the first recipes I tried to "invent".  How hard could it be... a can of tomato sauce and a little oregano, right!?!?  NOT!!! It was awful.

After decades of tweaking, we love this sauce!!

¼ cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic minced

1 tablespoons olive oil
(1) 6 oz. can of tomato paste
(1½) 6 oz. can of water
1 teaspoon dry oregano
1 teaspoon dry basil
½ teaspoon fennel seeds (do not leave out)
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
healthy pinch teaspoon dry red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon sugar (do not leave out)

In a heavy saucepan, saute the chopped onion and garlic (in the olive oil) until they are soft and aromatic.

Add everything else and simmer slowly for about 10 minutes and it's ready to use!!

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