Cranberry Salsa
from The Gathering of Friends
1 12 oz. bag fresh whole cranberries
1- 2 c. water
1 c. sugar
1/4 fresh jalapeno, finely minced
2 4 oz. cans green chilies, chopped
2 green onions, minced
1/2 c. fresh cilantro, minced
2 small limes (or 1 large), juiced
2 tsp. Cumin
Combine fresh cranberries, just 1 c. water and 1 c. sugar in a pot over high heat and boil for 10 minutes. Use a fork to smash some of the berries in the pan and cool. Mince cilantro, jalapeno and green onions and stir into cooled cranberry sauce. Add chopped green chilies, lime juice and cumin and stir well. If desired stir in additional 1/2 c.-1 c. water to change consistency. Yields about 6 cups. Refrigerate for up to one week. Fill your favorite container and give this wonderful surprise burst of flavor as a gift.If you own a food processor: Make cranberry sauce on the stove as directed above. Cool. Put ¼ of a fresh jalapeno, 2 cans green chilies, 2 green onions, ½ c. cilantro into food processor and chop fine. Add lime juice and cumin. When cranberry sauce is cool, add to processor and just barely mix, so just barely slices cranberries. Add 1/2-1 cup water (I use ¾ c.) and mix with spatula. To serve as an appetizer: Soften 8 oz. of cream cheese on a pretty serving plate and pour 1 ½ cups of Cranberry Salsa (cooled or room temperature, not warm) over cream cheese and serve with your favorite crackers or chips (I like Wheat Thins). Can also use as a yummy spread on your favorite turkey sandwich or as a sauce with poultry or pork.
Kathryn's Famous Christmas Cheese Ball
from my generous and talented friend and neighbor Kathryn McAllister
1 8oz. Package cream cheese
½ square (¼ C.) margarine
½ square (¼ C.) butter (Land 0'Lakes or other nice brand)
1 1/3 oz. Blue Cheese (use 1/3 of Treasure Cave brand 4 oz. Block) or more to taste
Chopped walnuts
(Recipe makes 1 large or 2 smaller, 1 cup size cheese balls)Bring all ingredients to a cool room temperature. Mix with hand mixer thoroughly until smooth and creamy. Chop walnuts and put in a narrow bowl. With a spatula, drop mixture in nuts in one ball. Use a spoon to gather the nuts around the ball, can use hands to shape ball and place in container and cover in plastic wrap. Chill for at least a few hours before serving with favorite crackers. For a nice gift, use about 1 cup of mixture for the cheese ball (recipe will make 2 this size) and after rolling in nuts, place in a clear plastic Solo cup and cover in plastic wrap. Place in cellophane bag tied with ribbon for a yummy Christmas gift.
White Chocolate Mix
Makes a large bowl
5 c. corn or rice Chex cereal
5 c. cheerios cereal
1 10oz. bag mini twist pretzels
1 1b.bag plain M&M’s
1 12 oz. can/bag lightly salted peanuts
2 bags white chocolate chips
3 T. oil
Mix first 5 ingredients into a bowl. In a microwave safe bowl mix the white chocolate chips and oil and melt on high for 2 min. Stir to melt, and then microwave again for 10-30 seconds on high. Stir until all chips are melted. Pour melted chips into cereal mixture and stir to cover. Spread on cookie sheets covered with wax paper and allow chocolate to set up.
Easy Christmas Fudge
1 c. margarine
1 12 oz. can evaporated milk
4 1/2 c. sugar
1/2 bag mini marshmallows
1 pkg. semi sweet chocolate chips
1 pkg. milk chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. nuts (optional)
Melt margarine in large pan. Add milk and sugar and bring to boil over medium heat. Boil lightly for 5 minutes. Turn off heat and add marshmallows. Stir until melted. Add chocolate chips, stirring after each until chocolate is melted. Add vanilla and nuts. Pour into a greased 9 x 13 pan and allow to set over night (at room temperature). Use a plastic knife to cut into squares. Left overs can be frozen!
Helpful Hints:
- Presentation is everything. If the outside of the package looks nice, the gift seems to taste better! There are many ways to package your gift, be creative!
- Remember it is the thought that counts. A warm loaf of bread says a lot more than a bag of stale marshmallows that includes some phrase about snowman poop! Even if it means making your list a little shorter to make something a little more thoughtful.
- It is nice to include a kitchen utensil with the homemade treat (such as cookies and a small spatula).
- Homemade treats (especially sweets) seem to be more appreciated at the beginning of the season. Many counters are full of fudge on the day before Christmas.
- Don't worry about being clever or doing something different every year. If people rave about something you make, go with it! It's easier to plan for if it's already decided!
No comments:
Post a Comment