Friday, December 19, 2008

Augratin Cheese soup

1 box/package of AuGratin potatoes with sauce mix
1 can chicken broth
3 cups water
2/3 cup diced carrots
2/3 cup diced celery
1/2 cup half and half

combine potato slices, cheese sauce mix, chicken brothe, water, carrots, celery in large saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat, cover and simmer 25-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat , stir in cream. Garnish with parsley if desired.

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Hot cocoa

Here's the Hershey cocoa recipe with a twist:

Mix together in pot on stove on medium heat until boiling and boil for 2 min the following:

1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
dash of salt
1/3 cup hot water

then add and heat - but don't boil: 4 cups milk
Once heated to temp desired, add: 3/4 tsp of vanilla for traditional hot cocoa

The twist : spice it up!!

add: 1/2 tsp of peppermint or strawberry
and 1/2 tsp of vanilla
top with redi whip and sprinkle a tad of cinnamon or cocoa to decorate and add a peppermint stick to stir with.
Quick, easy, and the family LOVES the new twist on the holiday classic.

Oat Cakes

Oat Cakes & tea from the Lyceum in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

3 cups flour
3 cups rolled oats
2 cups sugar
2 tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
2 cups shortening
3/4 cups cold water

mix dry ingredients first then cut in shortening.Add water & mix. Roll out thin on a lightly floured surface. Cut into squares.
on un-greased cookie sheet , Bake 350 degrees for Min.

hint: it's easier to roll out if you slightly chill dough.

Very yummy- my sister made them and we thought they were tasty...

Cream Cheesse Frosting

This icing is good on Cinnamon rolls, banana cake, ...lots of good things really!

Frosting:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, at room temperature
1/2 cup butter (1 stick), at room temperature
1 pound confectioners' sugar, sifted
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

In a bowl, blend together the cream cheese and butter. Gradually add the confectioners' sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Beat in the vanilla.Frost cake when cooled

some variation:
take 1/2 cup pecans and stir in frosting or after cake is frosted sprinkle pecans over cake.

Qucik cookie glaze

stir together
3/4 cup powdered sugar,
3-4 teaspoons of milk
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
in small bowl - mix until of drizzling consistency-
add 3-4 drops food coloring for decorating!

Best ever butter Cookies

Butter cookies

1 cup butter- softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. orange juice
1 tbsp. vanilla
2-1/2 cups all purpose flour
1tsp. baking powder

frosting
3 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter- softened
1 tsp vanilla
1 to 2 tbsp milk
Optional:food color and/or decorator
candies/sugars if desired


Combine 1 cup butter , sugar ,and egg in large bowl. beat at medium speed , scraping bowl often, until creamy. Add orange juice and vanilla, mix well. reduce speed to low, add flour and baking powder, beat until well mixed.

Divide dough into thirds ; wrap each in plastic food wrap. Refrigerate until firm (2-3 hours)

Heat oven to 400 degrees . roll out dough on lightly floured surface.one third at a time (keeping remaining dough refrigerated). roll to 1/8 to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut with 3 inch cookie cutters. Place 1 inch apart onto ungreased cookie sheets. Bake for 6-10 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. cool completely

FROSTING
combine powdered sugar, 1/3 cup butter and 1 teaspoon vanilla in small bowl. Beat at low speed, scraping bowl often and adding enough milk for desired spreading consistency. tint frosting with food color, if desired. frost and decorate cooled cookies as desired.
Makes 3 dozen cookies

Kinderpunsch -alcohol-free hot punch

"Kinderpunsch" is an alcohol-free hot punch, served mainly in Christmas markets in Germany.
Substitute grape juice for apple if you'd rather.

Ingredients:
1 cup water
2/3 cup white sugar
2 pinches ground cloves
1 cinnamon stick
3 cups apple juice
1 lemon, sliced

In a 3 quart saucepan, bring water, sugar, cloves and cinnamon to boil.
Stir in juice and heat through. Do not boil. Take spices out and pour over lemon slices in serving bowl. Serve warm. Makes 1 1/2 quarts

Very sweet- and tasty! I made it with the apple juice - never tried it with the grape.