December 7--Baking Those Spritzs!

It was always a treat for the kids, following their dinner, when we were all sitting around the living room, that I would bring out a tray of the cookies that had been baked the precious days. 

There were always glasses of cold milk to go with the treats.  We would continue our discussions from the dinner table. 

I hope they remember those evenings during December as much as I do.  It was definitely a time for each of them to have a say as they gobbled down the goodies.

I have handed over this cookie recipe to the oldest daughter--the blond headed one!  She is now in charge of making these delightful mouth popping cookies. 

Each year now, somehow, she finds time in her busy schedule to press out some colorful designs with the cookie press.

December 6--Tex-Mex Cooking

Speaking of Tex-Mex cooking, here is the one and only book I rely on!  My Granny gave me this book in early 1977.  My Granny didn't cook much for us kids as we didn't see her much growing up--but she was definitely what you would consider as a GRANNY!

 

I LOVE this book! and I think about my Granny every time I pull this recipe book out to make Guacamole--I know the recipe, but there is just something about my Granny and this recipe book!

 

And you can't serve Tex-Mex food without the Guacamole:  ripe avocadoes (not too soft, just firm enough to give a

little)--how many you say?  depends on how much you and your guests can eat!  chopped onions, garlic to taste, lime juice over the top of avocados, and now you mash!  You can leave chunky or make it smooth--what do you like?  how about some jalapenos chopped in as well?  dash of salt, pepper, olive oil and of course, several dashes of hot sauce.  I add chopped tomatoes too.

Bring on the tortilla chips--Yummy! 

Thanks Granny!

December 5--A Gift For You and Me

One of my dear friends from late 1970's gave me this recipe and it has remained a staple in our refrigerator ever since.

When you need a good salsa--this is the one.  We have spent hundreds of dollars on store bought salsas--red ones, green ones, roasted ones, fruit salsas, but we always come back to this one recipe as our favorite.

You can make it as spicy or as mild as you want.  It's great with tortilla chips or over enchiladas.

And I'm a sucker for Tex-Mex food!  Give me a fresh tortilla, pinto beans and this salsa and I'm happy as a lark!

I've bottled this recipe at times for gifts--give it a water bath so the jars seal; tie with a neat ribbon with the recipe and you'll have thankful friends! 

December 4--Unbaking!

Each December Day, I would make at least one cookie recipe--sometimes there would be cookie exchanges, when I baked 12 dozen cookies--a dozen for 12 people who shared their cookies with me.

The kids loved this tradition!  Me, not so much!

 

 

This was an easy recipe to have on hand for those days when friends dropped in to visit 

and the kids could make them too.

 

Unbaking!  is the way to go!

 

How about making these for your friends?

 

Unbaked Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies--my version:

2 C sugar, 8 Tbsp. cocoa, 1/2 C milk--bring to a rolling boil; remove from heat and add 1 stick of butter, 3 cups of Quaker one minute oats, 1 tsp vanilla.  Mix well and drop by teaspoon onto wax or parchment paper (we didn't have parchment so used wax paper) 

let harden and then EAT!

there was always some kid standing there to lick the pan!!

 

 

December 3--Let's Bake!

 

See this worn recipe notebook?  I've had it since early 1977--right after our home was destroyed by fire at Christmas time, 1976.  Neighbors opened their arms, homes and hearts to our family.  Thumbing through my recipe book gives loving thoughts of those who gave us comfort and shared their favorite recipes.

 

Don't you have that book that is stuffed with pages from magazines?  handwritten recipes or newspaper clippings.  Let me assure you--every recipe in this book has been tested many times over.

this is one of those time honored recipes from a loving neighbor, Helen, who being Italian made these every Christmas.  I was honored that she would share her family treat with me.

 

Fig Cakes! 

1 C shortening, 1 C sugar, 3 eggs, 1 tsp. vanilla, 7 C flour, 7 tsp. baking powder, 1 C milk, 1 tsp salt

Cream shortening with sugar; add eggs and vanilla.  Sift flour and baking powder, gradually adding milk until dough is moist.  Roll out dough, cut into strips about 2" wide.

 

Filling:

2 pkg. dried figs, 1/2 C raisins, 1/2 C chopped pecans, 1/2 pt fig preserves, grated orange rind and juice of orange, dash of black pepper--soak dried figs about an hour until soft.  grind figs, pecans & orange rind, add to other filling ingredients.  Spread a Tablespoon of filling down the center of each 2" piece of dough; pinch the top over. place on cookie sheet and bake in 400* oven for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Once the fig cakes are cooled, sift one box of confectioners sugar and little milk and drizzle over the tops--talk about yummy!!

 

December 2--Delicious Fruit Cake!

 In 1977,  my favorite listening station was WWL out of New Orleans, Louisiana and the host of one program gave recipes and tips on cooking.

This was my absolutely favorite Fruit Cake Recipe of all times!!  And I love fruitcake--not many people do, but if you had tasted this fruitcake, you would have been a lover too!

 

 

As you can see this recipe is handwritten--not by me, but the radio personality who hosted the show.  If you wanted a copy, all you had to do--was write (YES, write as in a letter) and send a SASE (Self addressed stamped envelope) and he would send you a copy.

 

It became the tradition each fall, right before Thanksgiving, to gather all the ingredients and make this fruitcake--you see it had to "Age" for a good while.  Each day, I would pour a small amount of rum over the gauze covered fruitcake and then when I thought I couldn't take it anymore--maybe, a week before Christmas, I would cut into this fruity, nutty cake! 

I'm sure I ate more than the kids or husband!  I absolutely loved this cake!

December 1--Down the Path of Reflection

Every year for many years when the kids were younger and all living under one roof, I will prepare for the holidays by making something special each day leading up to Christmas.

This year I brought out my old cookbooks and strolled down that reflection path.  With each page flipped, I remember the person who gave me the recipe and how much we enjoyed the flavors and sharing of the moment.

 

This Booklet was from Fall, 1981 when a group of us attended the local newspaper sponsored luncheon.  There were demonstrations and tasting, of course! 

 

Here is one of my favorite recipes from that time and place==pickled eggs!

And here is the recipe that I made as gifts--