CHRISTMAS TIP

*TO DRY LEMON OR ORANGE PEEL:  Cut peel from fruit in long spiral,  being careful not to take too much white pulp. Dry on baking sheet in oven at 200 degrees for 45 to 60 minutes. Cool; break into small pieces.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & google+ photo)

CAFE' MOCHA MIX

*Christmas Collection*

2 cups non-dairy creamer
1-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/3 cups nonfat dry milk

1 cup instant coffee powder
1/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

1. Combine all ingredients; mix well. Pack in attractive, tightly closed containers for gifts or storage.

2. To serve: Measure 1 TB mix into coffee cup, fill with boiling water. Add whipped cream and sprinkle with cocoa powder if desired.

YIELD: about 5 cups or 80 servings.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & google+ photo)

EVERGREEN WREATH

*Christmas Collection*

You'll need: 10-gauge wire or coat hanger; pine needles, straw or sphagnum moss; fine plastic-coated wire; greens; pine cones and other decorations.

1. With pliers, bend wire or coat hanger into circle shape; fasten ends together securely. To prevent greens from slipping on frame, wire on a coarse material such as long pine needles, straw or sphagnum moss, using plastic-coated wire. If desired, wrap foil or heavy wax paper around padded frame for neat finish.

2. Cut greens in 10-12-inch lengths. Fasten to frame, overlapping and covering both sides of frame to make wreath as full as desired. To secure materials firmly, and to save time, use continuous length of wire rather than cutting it in short pieces. When all greens have been added, write on cones, ribbon bows or other decorations.

NOTE: Greens cut from Douglas fir, pine, red cedar and coast redwood are effective and fragrant, and keep longer than those from hemlock and spruce.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

Melanie's Holiday Yams :)

*Christmas Collection*
Serves 10-12

Another wonderful recipe from Molly!!! This one is from her sister-in-law!! A family favorite!!!

2-3 Yams, large sized
3 cups Brown Sugar
3 Fuji Apples, peeled & sliced
1 cube butter, softened
1 pkg fresh cranberries, washed & sorted
2 TB Cinnamon
1/3 cup dark rum or brandy
1 tsp nutmeg

1. Peel yams and steam with a little water until soft enough to slice but not overcooked or mushy. Mix rum and other ingredients in a bowl and drizzle over each layer---layer yams, apples and a sprinkle of cranberries into a 13 by 9 by 2 oven safe casserole dish. Bake for 35-45 minutes at 325 degrees. Optional marshmallow layer over the top of the dish for the final 10 minutes in oven.

(Source: Melanie Rodd & kappboom wallpaper photo)

Pumpkin Bread Pudding :)

*Christmas Collection*
SERVES 10-12

Here is a vintage recipe at its best!!! My friend Molly added her personal touches to this recipe!!!

4 pieces Cinnamon bread
4 large eggs
3 egg yolks
1-1/2 cups Milk
1-1/2 Cups heavy cream or Egg Nog
1 can pumpkin puree

1 cup sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 TB rum or brandy
1/2 tsp nutmeg
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
2 TB butter, cold, cut into pieces

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2 inch baking dish. Dry the bread by placing on rack in oven as it preheats for 10 minutes, then cut bread into cubes. Place bread cubes in prepared baking dish. In large mixing bowl, whisk together all pudding ingredients except butter. Pour mixture over bread cubes. Let sit 10 minutes until bread is fully soaked. Dab butter over top and grind fresh nutmeg over the top (optional). Bake 40-50 minutes till a knife inserted into custard pudding comes out clean. Pudding should be set in center but not dry.

Serve with whipped cream or cool whip. Delicious warm or cold.

(Source: S & H and google+ photo)

BERRY ORANGE RELISH :)

*Christmas Collection*
YIELDS: 4 CUPS

A dear friend gave me this recipe-she makes this every year!!! THANKS MOLLY!!!

1 Orange, seedless, unpeeled & cut in eighths
1 package (12 oz) fresh or frozen cranberries (dry pack)
3/4 cup sugar
3 TB Grand Mariner
1 Half-pint fresh raspberries or 1 package frozen raspberries, thawed

1. In a food processor, pulse unpeeled orange wedges with on/off turns until finely chopped but not pureed. Pour into medium bowl and set aside. Wash and sort fresh cranberries next. Pulse cranberries with on/off turns in food processor until finely chopped but not pureed. Add to chopped orange in bowl. Stir in sugar and Grand Marnier. Mix well. Fold in raspberries. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Can be stored in refrigerator for several weeks. Can garnish with curled orange peel if desired.

(Source: BON APE'TIT & google+ photo)

THE RIGHT FLUFF- Christmas Tip

*We've all read it a thousand times: "Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy." But most cooks don't take it far enough. As the two are combined, the sugar's sharp edges cut through the fat and create air pockets that will lighten the texture of baked goods. So watch the mixture go from grainy to creamy and then increase in volume and lighten in color. This will take at least four minutes with a hand mixer. Be patient: It's worth it!

(Source: BON APPE'TIT & google+ photo)