HOMEMADE MINCEMEAT

*Christmas Collection*

A classic vintage recipe!!!

2 pounds lean, boneless, beef, venison or elk meat
1 pound beef  suet
4 pounds tart apples
4 cups sugar

3 pounds raisins
1 pound currants
1/2 pound citron
+Juice and grated rind of 2  oranges 
+Juice and grated rind of 2 lemons

2 cups grape juice, cider or spirits
1 TB salt
2 tsps cinnamon
1 tsp cloves
1 tsp nutmeg or mace

1. Simmer meat in salted water to cover, until very tender. (Bony cuts, such as neck, may be used, with allowance made for the weight of the bones.)  Cool meat; chop or grind. Chop suet and apples. Chop or cut candied citron fine.

2. Mix all ingredients in large kettle and simmer for 1 hour. Adjust seasonings to taste; simmer till fairly thick. Pour hot mixture into clean jars to within 1 inch of tops. Put on lids; screw bands tight. Process in pressure canner at 10 pound pressure; 30 minutes for pints; 45 minutes for quarts. OR cool; package in desired amounts; freeze. YIELD: 5-6 quarts.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

STOLLEN (German Christmas Bread)

*Christmas Collection*

1 pkg yeast, compressed or dry
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
2 TB shortening
2-2-1/2 cups sifted flour
1 egg

1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup chopped candied cherries
1/4 cup chopped citron
1/4 cup chopped blanched almonds
1 TB grated lemon rind
1 TB melted butter

1. Soften yeast in water. Scald milk. Stir in sugar, salt and shortening; cool to lukewarm. Add 1 cup flour; mix well. Add softened yeast and egg; beat well. Stir in fruit and nuts. Add enough more flour to make a soft dough. Turn out on lightly floured board; knead until smooth and satiny.

2. Place in greased bowl. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours. When light, punch down and shape into ball. Let rest 10 minutes.Flatten into oval shape, about 1/2 inch thick. Brush one-half with melted butter. Fold over, the long way; press folded edge firmly so it won't spring open. Place on greased baking sheet; pull into crescent shape. Brush lightly with melted butter. Let rise until doubled, about 45 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until golden brown. While warm, frost with POWDERED SUGAR GLAZE. Decorate with candied fruit and nuts, if desired. YIELD: 1 large stollen.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

JULE KAGA (Norwegian Christmas Bread)

*Christmas Collection*

1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup shortening
1/4 cup lukewarm water
2 packages yeast, compressed or dry

4-4-1/2 cups sifted flour
1-1/2 tsps ground cardamom
1/2 cup chopped almonds
1/2 cup raisins, optional
1/4 cup chopped candied cherries
1/4 cup chopped citron

1. Scald milk; stir in sugar, salt and shortening; cool to lukewarm. Soften yeast in water. Stir into milk mixture. Add 2 cups flour; beat thouroughly. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in bulk, about 30 minutes. Stir in cardamom, nuts and fruit. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough. Turn out on floured; knead until smooth and elastic.

2. Place in greased bowl; turn once to grease all over. Cover; let rise in warm place until double in bulk, about 1 hour. Punch down; form into round ball. Place on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise again until nearly double in bulk, about 1 hour. Bake at 400 degrees for 10 minutes; reduce heat to 350 degrees, continue baking for 40 minutes until loaf tests done. Cool; frost with POWDERED SUGAR ICING: Blend 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 TB milk and 1/4 tsp vanilla; beat smooth. Decorate frosted loaf with nuts and candied fruit if desired. YIELD: 1 large round loaf.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

Deep Sea Chowder

*Christmas Collection*

2-1/2 cups diced potatoes
1 small can shrimp
1 small can crabmeat
2 small onions, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped

3 TB butter
1 TB flour
5 cups scalded milk
+Salt and Pepper

1. Boil potatoes in small amount of water for 5 minutes. Saute' shrimp, crabmeat, onions and celery in butter until vegetables are soft. Stir in flour to thicken. Add mixture to potatoes, then add scalded milk and cook, stirring constantly until mixture is well blended, about 5-10 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

GINGERBREAD MEN

*Christmas Collection*

1/3 cup shortening
1/3 cup brown sugar
2/3 cup molasses
1 egg
3 cups sifted flour

3 tsps baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp Ginger
+Decorator icing

1. Cream shortening and sugar. Beat in molasses then egg. Sift dry ingredients; stir in. (Dough will be quite soft.) Roll out 1/4-inch thick on lightly floured board. Cut out gingerbread men, stars, rounds or other shapes. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes. Cool on rack then frost with Decorator Icing. YIELD: About 3 Dozen cookies, depending on size.

DECORATOR ICING: Beat 1 large egg white with 1/2 teaspoon cream of tarter. Stir in 1-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar and 1 TB soft white shortening. Beat till very stiff. Add food coloring if desired. Put icing in decorating tube; decorate gingerbread men.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

WISHING APPLES

*Christmas Collection*

4 medium-sized tart cooking apples
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp cinnamon
+Hot water
1/4 cup dairy sour cream
+Chopped nuts

1. Wash and core apples. Combine brown sugar and cinnamon; spoon into apple cavities. Place in baking pan; pour hot water into pan to a depth of 1/4 inch. Bake at 350 degrees 45-60 minutes or until tender. Top each apple with 1 TB dairy sour cream; sprinkle with chopped nuts. Serve hot as meat accompaniment. YIELD: 4 servings.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)

CRAB STUFFED POTATOES

*Christmas Collection*

4 large potatoes
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup half 'n' half
+Dash pepper
1 TB grated onion

1 cup shredded sharp cheese
1 6-1/2-ounce can crankest, 1 cup flaked
+Paprika

1. Bake potatoes as usual. Cut in half, lengthwise. Scoop out insides; mash with butter, cream, seasonings and cheese. Whip until fluffy then fold in flaked crab. Refill potato shells; sprinkle with paprika.Refrigerate until before serving time. Bake at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes or until heated through.

YIELD: 8 servings.

(Source: Dorothy Dean & kappboom wallpaper photo)