Holidays are over --- Back to cooking

I love Christmas and all that surrounds it. It lights, the tree, the food, but mostly the spirit of love and being with my Family.

And, because I cook so much for Christmas, I tend to stop making meals for about 4 weeks. Yes, we still eat. But, we are back to just simple, no fuss food.

Then after 4 weeks, I am tired of the same old stand byes. I then start looking around for things I love, and searching for new recipes. I have/had a friend who gave me this recipe. What a life saver. This is great for an after school snack.

I was speaking with several people on how to keep Boys full. This is the way.

Yes, this need to be eaten up soon -- They don't keep. You may want to half this recipe.

SOFT PRETZELS-Ellerene Searle -

1 1/2 cup warm water 1 tsp. salt
1 pkg. yeast 1 egg
3 1/2 - 4 cups flour 1 tsp. sugar


Dissolve yeast in water. Combine salt, sugar and 2 cups of flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. Turn on to a floured board and knead until smooth. Place in greased bowl. Cover, rise until double in bulk 45-60 min.

Dough is ready if mark remains when touched. Punch down dough.

Cut into 16 equal parts. Roll each part into 18-inch long ropes. Twist each into pretzel shape. Place on greased baking sheet.

Brush with egg and sprinkle with salt(sea salt or a larger type salt works better otherwise you think there isn't salt on it).

Let rise a little and Bake at 425 degrees for 15 to 20 min.

**If you prefer just bake, plain or after baking try cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on (after a wash of butter)

Have Fun!

New Year's Resolution - Turning Guilt into Vegetables

Every year we start out making new Goals, and resolution.

And, of course, the same ones are listed every year,

Lose Weight
Be kind
More Exercise
Safe money

I even used to Remember what I had accomplished the year before, and then counted that as my accomplished goals for the year. This worked only when I did something grand, or achieved something memorable.

What was I to do? --- I needed a new goal --

I was reading a blog from one of my Daughter’s friends, (Thanks Bethany), when I happened on what was the best goal to have . . . Eat more vegetables --- Start with Carrot Cake.

I have the best recipe for Carrot Cake, Thanks to my Sister in Law.

I love this cake, and yes, it contains vegetables. And for some Reason, it only will work in a bunt cake pan.

Start a new campaign - eat vegetables - And help attain your goals.

Happy New Year


CARROT CAKE - PAULINE BROWN – Carol Jean Brown

Beat until thick and lemon-colored 4 eggs
Slowly beat in 2 cups sugar
Add while beating 1 1/2 cups salad oil
Add 3 cups flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. soda
2 tsp. cinnamon
Fold in 2 cups grated carrots
& 1 cup chopped walnuts

Bake at 350 degrees for one hour. (I have had better luck baking this in a bunt pan rather than a regular cake pan.)

FROSTING; Cream together 8 oz. cream cheese and 1/4 lb. butter. With electric beater, add 1 lb. box powder sugar and 1 tsp. vanilla.

Merry Christmas!

From our Family to yours - Merry Christmas -

and shout it loud, Not "Happy Holiday", but the real wishes - of the Gatherings of Family and Friends, sharing the gifts of Jesus Christ.

Please be sure to Thank your Heavenly Father for the blessings of the Ultimate Gift this Christmas, his Son, Jesus Christ.

CJ

Oh Fudge!

I try so hard not to swear.

And in the scriptures it teaches us to not swear by the sun, moon or things on the earth. And, I know that in that example it is to make an oath by the sun, star, moon or anything on the earth. But, I find that our English language is getting so limited by the words we hear around us that we are using substitutions for the real words. And, not using the richness of our words. See, I can't even find a different word for word.

I find myself so very guilty -- When I get really frustrated, I say, "Oh Fudge"

I make really good fudge, and I got this out of the Salt Lake Triubune some 30 years ago, and it is still my favorite.

Please enjoy, and don't swear - by the Fudge or anything else.


HELOISE'S BEST FUDGE
4 1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 lg. can evaporated milk
3 (6 oz.) pkgs. chocolate chips
1 (10 oz.) pkg. miniature marshmallows
1/2 c. butter
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. chopped nuts
Put sugar and milk in large, very heavy saucepan and bring slowly to a rolling boil. Let boil for 8 minutes. Remove from heat and add chocolate chips, marshmallows, and butter. Beat only until chips and marshmallows are melted. Mix in nuts and vanilla. Spread in large, ungreased pan.

Clogged drains recipe

Yup, that's today's blog subject.

I can't tell you how many Holidays, have been an issue because of clogged drains. This is one of my children's favorite teasing items. Except the smoke detector incidents, they weren' my fault, they are just to sensitive.

I have given up peeling potatoes or carrots into the garbage disposal, and just use it for really liquid things. Which makes the garbage stack up. But, think of all that food matter that is helping the dump, How did I get onto this subject?

Right.

After having the plumber out, on holidays (price - doubled), or better yet having the husband and sons on the roof - always ice and snow covered - trying to snake the clog out.

A plumber friend gave me this recipe. And, it is excellent. PLEASE DO NOT DRINK THIS - IT IS FOR YOUR DRAINS ONLY.

1 CUP CLOROX
2 of your larges pots full of boiling water - a least a gallon each


I usually get the water ready, and then have my husband or someone who can lift that much weight.

I have then slipped behind them to the sink (either kitchen or bathroom) and poured in 1 cup of colorox (I do not measure, I just dump).

Then add the water in mass - that give the colorox weight, pressure and heat to dislodge the clog. Please have them turn their head, as the fumes can be somewhat loud.

I do this monthly, but I have forgotten to do this. And, with all the cooking, I felt inpressed to give you this info ---- I know it isn't something fun - but please, take 30 minutes, and do this, it will save your Christmas.

Yeah that I have drains in my house!!!

Wise Women Cookie Storage

At Christmas Time, I keep several cookie fixings in the Fridge or Freezer.

You know, how you keep walnuts, cocoa, sugar, peppermint candy, flour, all in abudance, just so you can make cookies anytime?

I was back in Virginia, for 6 weeks, and it was wonderful to see my grandchildren and be with them. However, I wasn't in my kitchen. And, yes, I shopped for all sorts of items I needed to cook with.

Then coming home, I asked my husband, "Do I have . . . ?", "Yes", he would reply. And on it went through 3 shopping trips (Sam's, Albertsons' etc.) So, now I am trying to remember - did I buy this . . or was that in Virginia?

Somehow, I didn't get walnuts - Which for me for Christmas is just something I can't live without.

I want to make Fudge --- No walnuts
I want to make Icebox cookies --- No walnuts
(these freeze in a roll and you can slice and then bake them.
I want to make a cheese ball - yup, no walnuts or sharp cheese.

I keep hoping that the Storage Fairy will come some night and help me out.
But, no such luck.

I wish there was a service - that I could leave a note on my door, which would run to the store and pick up some items for me, and just the items. Like when we lived in SLC and Winder Dairy would bail me out with Fresh ingredients, like cottage cheese, bread. Which sound crazy, but it kept me from going to the store and finding other things I didn't need, but thought I did.

Oh yeah! I had that service --- When we had teenagers, and in order to have driving privledges, that person ran all my errands . . . I guess they have all moved on to bigger and better things.

So, today I will make - Butter cookies and Peanut butter cookies ---- Yup, you guessed it. The peanut butter is rancid - I know it is just my hubby and me, and I'm not that crazy about peanut butter. But, you would think - I would have just a 1/2 cup of the stuff.

I send you my favorite giving cookie recipe - the IceBox Cookie -

ICEBOX COOKIEES - Iris Brown (my mommy in law)

2 cups brown sugar 1 tsp soda
3/4 cups shortening 1 tsp baking powder
3 eggs 1 tsp vanilla
3 1/2 cups flour 1-cup walnuts

Mix sugar and shortening. Add eggs. Sift dry ingredients and add to mixture. Make rolls and slice. Bake at 400 degrees until light brown on edges. Can be frozen in rolls before slicing.

Yes, I will be sure to pick up walnuts. Well --- What time does the store close?????

Merry Christmas

Pulling together

I love the Lion House Cookbook I guess it is now called Lion House Classic.
At the very beginning of the book it speaks about Brigham Young and his residence. Yes, that is where the Lion comes from, his nickname was the "Lion of the Lord".

This is a great Taffy, because you can pull it cool, so it doesn't burn your hands. My kids loved this, when we did this for Family Home Evening -- Yes, it was years ago, and they won't remember. But, we did.

After Vaughn and I were sealed in the Salt Lake Temple, (I am remembering years and years ago) we visited the Church Headquarters, where we were introduced to the current Prophet, Pres. Benson, and all the General Authorities. Vaughn's Mission President and His wife were the Host and Hostess for the Church. And they brought us to a room with all these leaders of the Church. It was a birthday party for one of them. And, Pres. and Sis. Wagstaff had made arrangements for us to drop in on this party.

We were surrounded by these great men, giving us their well wishes and telling us how gratful they were for our choices. This was a little hard for me to take in, even now, some thirty years later.

Then we had our Wedding Lunch at the Lion House. I guess that is why I always favor recipies from this book, this comes from the Deseret News article I found. (It is in the book also)

Please enjoy this with your family, I did.

LION HOUSE TAFFY

2 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups water

1 cup white corn syrup

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons glycerine (available at drugstores)

2 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon vanilla


Pulling together: Celebrate Pioneer Day with an old-fashioned candy

Mix sugar, water, corn syrup, salt and glycerine in a heavy saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until temperature is 258 degrees. Remove from heat and add the butter and vanilla, stirring until the butter is melted.

Pour candy onto a buttered cookie sheet. Cool until lukewarm and taffy can be handled comfortably.

Wash and dry hands thoroughly. Take a small piece of taffy and stretch and fold repeatedly until the taffy turns white. Form taffy into desired shape. Place on a piece of waxed paper.

Makes enough taffy for 10-14 people to share. -- Lion House Classics