Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa Recipes

[Blondie Gal]

Here's a chance for us to post our favorite festive holiday and New Year's recipes without having to PM one or two folks. Some of us don't know what we want until we see it or read about it, so let us know what is cooking / baking / frying / grilling at your house this season! Just type the recipe in here, and we'll drool over 'em. This also applies to recipes for your favorite munchies for football games and holiday parties - whatever goes down your gullet and makes you happy! :beerchug: :Eating2

 

[Nana]

OK...... here's a favorite from the Harrison house!

SPINACH-ARTICHOKE DIP

• 2 pkg. frozen chopped spinach (thawed)
• 1 16-oz velveeta cheese (cut into chunks for quicker melting)
• 1 16-oz velveeta mild mexican cheese (chunks)
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 2 cans artichoke hearts (drain and chop fine)
• 1 teaspoon basil
• 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt
• 1/2 - 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 cup milk

Heat all ingredients together on low, stirring frequently until cheese melts.
Serve with chips or bread chunks for dipping.
Get out of the way!!!

 

[Blondie Gal]

Crustless Cranberry Pie

I first had this from friends in Germany many years ago; this recipe is taken from allrecipes.com. Absolutely different / delicious / unique in flavor! Try it!!

Ingredients
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup white sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups cranberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 eggs
1 teaspoon almond extract

Directions
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease one 9 inch pie pan.
2.Combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Stir in the cranberries and the walnuts, and toss to coat. Stir in the butter, beaten eggs, and almond extract. If you are using frozen cranberries, the mixture will be very thick. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
3.Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 40 minutes, or until a wooden pick inserted near the center comes out clean. Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

Ummmmmmmmmmmmm, boy!!

 

[Bikerbozo]

I'm partial to Gingerbread Men coated in Whit Chocolate. Tried some in Germany a couple of years ago and loved them.

 

[Nana]

OK...... it really isn't just for the holidays! But I just baked this yummy cake for a holiday treat for my friends at Karate this evening.
I'll have to sneak it out of the house though, as Mike will be into it if he gets any chance at all!!!!

WINE CAKE

• 1 box yellow cake mix
• 1 box (3-1/2 oz) instant vanilla pudding
• 1/2 cup red or white wine
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 4 eggs

Combine all ingredients and beat well with an electric mixer -- about 5 minutes!
Pour batter into a 10" bundt pan which has been well greased.
Bake at 350º F for 45-50 minutes, until a toothpick comes out clean.

About 10 minutes before the cake is done, make the glaze:

• 1 stick butter, chunked
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup red or white wine
• 1/4 cup water

Over medium heat, stir the butter together with the water and wine until it is all dissolved together.
Add the sugar and continue stirring to dissolve.
Increase heat and bring to a boil.
Remove from heat and set aside as you take the cake out of the oven.

With cake still in pan, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes around the bottom.
Pour 1/2 of the glaze over and around the holes and let sit for a few minutes to allow the cake to absorb the glaze.

Invert cake onto a serving dish, remove the pan, and drizzle the rest of the glaze over the top.
Sprinkle lightly with powdered sugar.

(PS: don't feel sorry for Mike --- I always make sure he gets his portion first! :Eating2)

 

[Blondie Gal]

Crispy Parmesan Chicken Breasts
This is so good! The g'kids eat every bite! (I use large chicken breasts and increase the ingredients and cooking time by 1/2)

What You Need
1/3 cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. paprika
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
6 small boneless skinless chicken breast halves (1-1/2 lb.)
3 Tbsp. butter or margarine, melted

HEAT oven to 400°F.

MIX cheese, crumbs and seasonings in shallow dish.

DIP chicken in butter; coat with cheese mixture. Place in 15x10x1-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.

BAKE 20 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).

 

[Blondie Gal]

Martha Washington Candy

My mother learned to make these in 1929, when she was in high school home economics class, and I've made them every Christmas since 1970, when I had my own first kitchen. John doesn't like coconut, so I omit that and the chopped pecans, and top each ball with a pecan half. Mmmmmmmmmm! Betcha can't eat just one!

Yield 8 dozen

Ingredients
1 cup margarine
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups shredded coconut (optional)
2 cups chopped pecans (or pecan halves, if you put them on top)
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions
1.Line 2 cookie sheets with wax paper. Set aside.
2.Mix margarine, sugar and sweetened condensed milk in large mixing bowl. Add coconut, pecans, and vanilla; mix well, using a sturdy large spoon. Chill until firm enough to handle.
3.Form into small balls and place on prepared cookie sheets . Chill until very firm.
4.Melt chocolate chips in top pot of double boiler over simmering water. Using a toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate. Let cool on wax paper.