Christmas Parfait with Homemade Granola

 

Homemade Granola

1. In a bowl add 3 Tbsp oil,  2 Tbsp maple syrup, 2 Tbsp honey and whisk to combine

2. Add in I cup old fashioned oats, 1/4 cup sliced almonds, 1/4 cup sunflower seeds and stir to coat

3. Spread out on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake for 15 min at 325 degrees 

4. Let cool, break apart and serve 

Sweet Sweets: Christmas Candy Classics

I have many great memories of being in the kitchen with my mom and eating her yummy food and goodies.  Around Christmas each year she would make fudge and divinity just like her mother and grandmother before her.  The tradition will some day be passed on to me.  I loved having her as a guest host in this episode to show us how to make these delectable holiday candies.  Candy making can be tricky but knowing a few secrets can help.  We hope you try making these recipes with your loved ones and make unforgettable memories in the process. 

Chocolate Fantasy Fudge

3/4 cup butter
3 cup sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp vanilla extract
7 oz jar marshmallow cream
1 cup chopped pecans

*optional for a slightly less sweet flavor add a pinch of salt and 1/4 cup cocoa powder 

1. In a saucepan melt butter, sugar and evaporated milk over medium hight heat, stirring constantly to prevent burning.  Once the mixture starts to boil reduce heat to medium.
2. Still stirring, bring to a full rolling boil for 4 min. or until candy thermometer reads 234 degrees.
3. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips stir until melted and combined
4. Add vanilla and marshmallow cream. Stir, stir and stir some more until it becomes smooth and glossy.
5. Add pecans and stir again. Stir until the mixture has cooled a little
6. Line a pan with foil and press the fudge evenly into the pan with a spatula
7 Allow to cool and cut into cubes. Store in a foil lined tin.

Microwave Peanut Brittle

•           1 1/2 c Spanish peanuts

•           1 c sugar

•           pinch of salt

•           1/2 c corn syrup

•           1 tsp butter

•           1 tsp vanilla extract

•           1 tsp baking soda

1. In a glass bowl add 1 1/2 cup Spanish peanuts, 1 cup sugar, a pinch of salt (or use salted nuts) and 1/2 cup corn syrup. Stir to combine.

2. Microwave for 4 min at 80% power, remove and stir, then microwave again for 4 min at 80% power.

3. Remove and stir in 1 tsp butter and 1 tsp vanilla and microwave a final time for 2 min at 80% power.

4. Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and set aside.

5. Add 1 tsp baking soda and stir until light and foamy and immediately turn out onto the grease pan, spreading as thinly as possible.

6. Allow to cool and break into pieces.

Divinity

•           1/2 c water

•           2 c sugar

•           1/2 c corn syrup

•           pinch of salt

•           2 egg whites

•           1 c chopped pecans

•           1 tsp vanilla extract

•           2 Tbsp powered sugar

1. In a saucepan over medium high heat combine 1/2 cup water, 2 cups sugar, 1/2 cup corn syrup, and a pinch of salt.  Bring to a boil the reduce the heat to medium (the syrup should continue to boil)

2. Meanwhile, beat 2 egg whites to stiff peaks

3. Bring to syrup to soft ball stage, using a candy thermometer. (10 min or so)

4. Slowly beat 1/2 of the syrup mixture into the egg whites.

5. Put the remaining half of the syrup back on the stove and bring to soft crack stag

6. Slowly beat the rest of the syrup into the egg whites

7. Add 1 cup chopped pecans and 1 tsp vanilla and continue to beat.

8. Add 2 Tbsp powered sugar and continue to beat until the mixture is no longer glossy.

9. Spoon onto wax paper and allow to cool. Store in a tin.

Christmas Curry

 This is our traditional Christmas meal.  It started with my Grandma and Grandpa Gibson and now it's going strong 2 generations later.  The recipe was given to my grandma from a missionary friend of hers. We love this unique Gibson family tradition. 

1. Saute 3 diced onion and 3 cloves garlic in oil and 1 tsp chili powder, 3 Tbsp curry powder and 1 tsp salt until onions are tender

2. Add 1 1/2 lbs beef stew meat (or any cut of beef or lamb) and brown the meat

3. Add 2 cups tomato juice and 2 cups water and simmer until meat is tender (an hour or 2)

4. Add 1/2 head of chopped cauliflower and 4 diced potatoes and simmer until the veggies are soft

5. Meanwhile start on the cinnamon rice

6. In a stock pot boil 1/2 lb stew meat (chopped smaller), 1 diced onion, 3 cloves garlic, 4 whole cloves and 1 stick cinnamon until meat is cooked. 

7. Strain the solids and keep the liquid

8. Remove the garlic, cloves and cinnamon stick and add 1/2 cup peas to the meat and onions

9. Using the reserved liquid (2 cups) cook 1 cup rice (or more if needed)

10. Add the cooked rice to the meat and peas

Optional Salad topping

This gives the curry and nice zip and really adds to the dish

1. Dice 1 onion, 3 tomatoes and 1 bell pepper, add salt and pepper to taste

2. Add 3 Tbsp white vinegar and 1 Tbsp water

3. refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving

**We will typically make this Christmas Eve, refrigerate and reheat for Christmas Day.  This gives the flavors a chance to develop before serving and its nice not to have cook it Christmas Day! 

Christmas Cookie Decorating

 Here is a video showing you some of my favorite Christmas cookie decorating techniques. 

Recipes can be found here 

Holly Jolly Hot Chocolate

Instant Hot Chocolate Mix

In a large bowl mix 

    1 lb powdered sugar

    1 large box of dry Nestle Quick

    8 qt. box of powdered milk

    1 lb container powdered coffee creamer

    1/2 cup or more cocoa powder 

Store in an air tight container

Stovetop Hot Chocolate

(Makes 4 servings)

1. In a saucepan melt 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips over medium heat. 

2. Add 4 cups milk and 1/4 cup sugar

3. Heat milk to scalding but not boiling. 

4. Stir in 1/2 tsp vanilla 

5. Serve hot and enjoy!

Add crushed peppermints or raspberry gelatin to make different flavors 

Sweet Sweets: Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake

I love to bake all the time, but especially at Christmas.  I have a whole roster of things I make each year, but I can't eat it all myself so I enjoy sharing it with family, friends and neighbors.  This recipe is perfect for sharing.  It's like my version of fruit cake that actually tastes good.

Cherry Chocolate Chip Cake

1. Mix together 1/2 cup oil, 1/2 cup butter (softened) 3/4 cup sugar and 3 eggs

2. Mix in 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp almond extract, 1 tsp salt, 

1/2 tsp baking soda and 1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder 

3. Mix in 2 cups flour (can use glutten free flour)

4. Throughly mix in 3/4 cup milk)

5. Chop a 10 oz jar of maraschino cherries and mix in

6. Add 1 (or more) cup of mini semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir a final time. 

7. Grease 4 mini loaf pans and divide the batter between them (about 1 cup in each)

8. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 35-45 min (until a toothpick comes our clean)

The Glaze

1. In a bowl combine 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp almond extract and 2 tbsp water

2. Stir until smooth

3. Drizzle over cooled cakes 

4. Enjoy, share or freeze. 

Sweet Sweets - Chocolate filled bon bon cookies

It wouldn't be Christmas time without some of these! My mom used to make them every year and now I make them with my kids. I love passing down traditions like this.

Ingredients:
3/4 cup shortening
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract
1 3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
Hershey's Kisses
Powdered sugar (For rolling)

1. Cream together shortening, white sugar and brown sugar.
2. Beat in egg, vanilla extract and almond extract.
3. Sift in flour, salt and baking powder and mix
4. Mix in pecans
5. Take a small amount of dough and roll it around a hershey kiss and place on a cookie sheet.  Repeat with all the dough.
6. Bake for 12 min at 350 (they will not turn brown so don't over bake)
7. Let cool completely and roll in powdered sugar
**Best when warm, can warm in the microwave for about 10 sec.

Raspberry Cream Pie

 Ingredients 

1. Graham cracker crust 

1 package softened cream cheese 

2/3 cup powdered sugar 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 cup whipping cream 

2 small containers fresh raspberries 

2 Tbsp cornstarch 

2 Tbsp water 

2/3 cup regular sugar 

Directions

1. Whip cream, set aside 

2. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. 

3. Gently fold in the whipped cream 

4. Spoon into the graham cracker crust and spread around. Chill I’m refrigerator 

5. In a small saucepan, boil 1/2 of the raspberries with water and sugar. 

6. Cook down and strain seeds 

7. Add corn starch and whisk until thick, chill until cool

8. Spread over top of cream cheese mixture in pie shell. 

9. Decorate with fresh raspberries, serve pie chilled. 

Homemade: The Cookbook

I'm so excited to announce that the cookbook is available on my publisher's website. $39.99 plus tax 

https://mascotbooks.com/mascot-marketplace/buy-books/cookbooks/all/homemade-the-american-family-cookbook/

Paying homage to the classic cookbooks of decades past, “Homemade: The American Family Cookbook” aims to inspire and teach current and future generations how to cook great meals at home for themselves and their families. This cookbook is full of tried-and-true tips and techniques to guide you through the recipes and is perfect for new and experienced cooks alike. The book is filled with classic American recipes that celebrate the midwest and family. 

Also available on Amazon 

Lunch/Dinners on the Go!

Homemade Sandwich Pockets. 

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees
• Defrost 16 Rhodes frozen Texas rolls, but don’t allow to rise.  
• Roll each out with a rolling pin until flat
• Add whatever fixings you like 
• Fold and seal dough around the fillings
• Place on a baking sheet and bake for 15 min
• Serve immediately or allow to cool completely and store in the freezer in a zip-lock bag.
• Heat in microwave for 45 sec 

Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

• Assemble romaine lettuce, cooked chicken, ranch dressing, chopped tomatoes, bacon bits, cheddar cheese on a large spinach tortilla
• Roll up, slice and eat

Thai Spring Rolls

• Dip a rice paper wrapper in warm water
• Assemble: Lettuce, cucumber, avocado, shredded carrots, crab meat
• Roll up and double wrap in another rice paper
• Serve with sweet chili sauce. 

Sweet Sweets: Tart Cherry Cobbler

 

Ingredients: 

Filling:

3 cups tart cherries 

1 cup sugar 

1/3 cup flour 

1/2 tsp almond extract 

Topping: 

1 stick butter softened 

1/2 cup sugar 

1 egg

1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

1/4 tsp baking powder 

Pink of salt

2/3 cup flour

Directions 

1. For filling: Mix cherries, sugar, flour, almond extract and pour into a glass baking dish. 

2. For topping: Cream together butter and sugar. 

3. Add egg and vanilla, mix 

4. Add baking powder and salt, mix 

5. Add flour and mix 

6. Spoon topping over the cherry filling 

7. Bake at 375 degrees for 30-35 min. 

8. Serve warm with ice cream 

Sweet Sweets- Tequila Key Lime Pie

Ingredients 
1 graham cracker crust
1/3 cup sour cream
2 cans sweetened condensed milk
2/3 cup lime juice
1 Tbsp lime zest
1 shot (1 1/2 oz) tequila

Directions
1. Mix sour cream, condensed milk, lime juice and lime zest until well combine
2. Add tequila and stir again
3. Pour into graham cracker crust and smooth out with a spoon
4. Bake for 5-8 min at 350 degree (until tiny pin bubbles form on the surface but don't burst)
5. Chill for several hours or overnight
6. Slice and serve.

Pork-n-Pineapple Tacos

Pork-n-Pineapple

1. Place a pork tenderloin in a slow cooker and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper

2. Add 3 oz tomato paste, 1/2 cup tomato juice, 6 oz pineapple juice, 

1 Tbsp brown sugar, 1/2 tsp cumin, and 1 Tbsp chili powder

3. Add one onion cut into fourths, let cook for 6 hours. 

4. Remove pork and shred with a fork

5. Discard the onion and add pork back to the sauce until serving. 

Pineapple Salsa

 One jalapeno or mini sweet pepper (according to preference) finely chopped

1 slice of onion finely chopped

1 Tbsp cilantro minced

1/2 cup chopped pineapple chunks

Lime juice and salt to taste

Combine and chill until serving

Guacamole 

1. Chop 6 cherry or grape tomatoes, 2 slices of onion, 1-2 Tbsp cilantro and place in a bowl

sprinkle with 2-3 Tbsp lime juice and let soak for an hour or so

2. Mash 2 ripe avocados and add to the vegetables. 

3. Mix and add salt to taste.  

Lettuce Eat Salad - Wilted Lettuce Salad

Wilted Lettuce Salad

2-3-Tbsp bacon grease

1/3 cup sugar

1/3 cup white vinegar

2-3 Tbsp chopped onions

Baby salad greens

1. Heat Bacon grease

2. Add onion and saute

3. Add sugar and vinegar and stir to mix and scrape bacon bits from bottom of pan

4. Allow dressing to cool slightly then toss with salad greens and serve immediately

Perfect Pies

      

   

Pie Crust

2 cups flour

1 tsp salt

2/3 cup plus 2 Tbsp shortening

1. Put all ingredients in a bowl and mix with fork

2. Add cold water (up to 5 Tbsp), mix until loosely combined

3. Form into a ball with hands

4. Spank to combine

5. Flatten and form into crust

Makes 2 crusts

Tart Cherry pie

2 pie crusts (one for top, one for bottom)

1 package thawed tart red cherries

1 cup sugar

1/3 cup flour

½ tsp almond ext.

2 Tbsp butter (for dotting)

1. preheat oven to 400 degrees

2. Combine sugar, cherries, flour, and almond in a bowl

3. Pour into bottom pie crust

4. Dot with butter

5. Add top crust

6. Bake 50 min. 

Peach Pie

2 pie crusts

1-2 packages thawed peach slices

2/3 cup sugar

2-3 Tbsp flour

¼ tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ginger

Preheat oven to 400

1. Combine sugar, peaches, flour and spices in a bowl

2. Pour into bottom crust

3. Dot with butter

4. Add top crust

5. Bake 50 min

Apple Pie

2 pie crusts

6 granny smith apples (peeled, cored & thinly sliced)

3/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 Tbsp flour

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 tsp ground ginger

1. Preheat oven to 400

2. Combine sugar, apples, flour and spices in a bowl

3. Pour into bottom crust

4. Dot with butter

5. Add top crust

6. Bake 50 min

Pie Tips

**Cut a few slits in the crust (in an ascetically pleasing pattern) to allow air to escape while baking

**Brush the top crust with milk and sprinkle with sugar before baking.  This gives your crust a sheen and a light crispiness. 

**Bake with a crust cover (make one our of foil if you don't have one) for the first 35min then remove for the last 10-15.  This keeps the crust from getting burnt. 

**Combine crust scraps and roll out on a baking sheet. Spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Bake at same temp as whatever pie you are making for 10-15 min. Cut into pieces and enjoy as a snack while you wait for the pie to bake. ;0)

  Pecan Pie

Ingredients

1 cup Karo Light Corn Syrup

3 eggs, beaten

3/4 cup sugar

2 Tbsp Brown sugar

2 Tbsp melted butter 

1 tso vanilla

6 ounces pecan halves

1 pie crust  

Directions

1. Beat eggs in a bowl,  Add all other ingredients except pecans.  Mix until well combine

2. Roll our pie shell in the bottom of pie pan.  Place pecan halves in concentric circles to cover the bottom of the shell.  

3. Carefully pour filling over pecans

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

    Pumpkin Pie

  Ingredients 

1 can pumpkin

1 1/2 cups evaporated milk

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp ginger

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 tsp vanilla

1 pie shell (see here for pie crust recipe) 

Directions

1. Mix all filling ingredients in a bowl.  

2. Roll out pie crust and place in bottom of pie plate

3. Pour filling into shell 

4. Add some fun fall leave pie crust cut outs for a beautiful decorative touch.  (place a pie shield over the crust to prevent burning while baking) 

5. Bake at 425 for 15 min, then reduce heat to 350 and bake for 30-40 min, until pie is set. 

Serve with whipped cream 

Breakfast Yo! Microwave Monkey Bread

This recipe goes back to my teaching days.  It was a recipe we used in our microwave cooking lesson.  I'm not sure who first wrote it but I know its been around for a long time.

Microwave Monkey Bread

Ingredients

1/3 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

3 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp water

1 can refrigerated biscuits

(Optional 1/3 cup chopped nuts)

Directions

1. In a glass pie plate place butter, sugar, water and cinnamon and microwave for 1 min

2. Mix until well combine

3. Cut biscuits into fourths and place in plate. Use a spatula to toss and coat the biscuits in the sugar mixture. 

4. Place a small glass bowl in the center and form a ring with the biscuit pieces around the outer edge. 

5. Microwave for 3 min and let stand 1 min. 

6. Turn out onto a serving plate and remove middle glass bowl. 

7. Enjoy!

Grapefruit Sweet Rolls

 Its Grapefruit season! I have always loved grapefruit.  My mom would cut me a half and I'd watch her, mesmerized, as she would cut around the outside and then on each side of each section.  She'd sprinkle some sugar on top and I'd dig in.  When finished I would squeeze the juice onto my spoon just like me dad always did. I look forward to it each year.  I considered myself a real adult when I could enjoy a grapefruit half without sugar :)  I was trying to come up with some recipes that celebrated the season.  This one is a take on orange rolls and its delicious.  Would be so fun for a Valentine's Day breakfast! 

1. Dissolve 1 package of active dry yeast in 1/2 cup warm water (not hot because that will kill the yeast)
2. Add 1 tbsp brown sugar and let sit 5 min (this helps feed the yeast) 
3. Scald and cool 1 cup milk - heat milk in a saucepan until you start to see steam, don’t let it boil, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. (This helps weaken the whey protein that can inhibit the yeast. Also, When cooled to around room temperature, it works much better in the recipe than cold milk to combine the shortening and activate the yeast) so don’t skip this step 😊
4. In a mixing bowl mix together 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup shortening and 1 egg, add to the cooled milk, mix.
5. Add that to the yeast and mix
6. add 2 cup flour and mix
7. Add another 2 cups flour and 1 tsp salt, mix
8. Knead dough for 5 min. (it will be a sticky dough)
9. Place in a greased glass bowl and allow to rise to double (about an hour)
10. Turn out dough on a well floured surface and roll out into a rectangle 
11. Cover dough with butter, brown sugar and cinnamon. Carefully roll dough up (long side of the rectangle) then slice about 2 inch thick (about 12-15 rolls)
12. Place rolls in a greased baking dish an allow to rise (double in size) 
13. Bake at 375 for about 15-20mins.

14. While the buns are still hot pour the glaze over.  It will soak in and be so delicious. 

Grapefruit Glaze

In a bowl mix 1/2 cup grapefruit juice and 2 cups powdered sugar

I added a little pink and orange food coloring to make it more festive and grapefruity