My mother gave me the 2007 Taste of Home Annual Recipes Book not long ago and I decided to give these a try. A layer of crushed Oreo cookies mixed with some butter, baked 10 minutes and cooled is topped with melted caramels and masses of pecans (which I roasted) and then a glossy fudge. They’re very … More Caramel Pecan Candy, a Star
We have these every year for Christmas and times when the extended families get together. Chopped dates, roasted walnuts, crushed graham crackers, marshmallows all held together with a can of sweetened condensed milk, then rolled in flaked coconut. They mellow for a few days. Then we’re off and away. I threw in some maraschino cherries … More Aunt Clara’s Date-Nut No Bakes, a Star
Christmas cookie platters on display in stores and on lovely tables all over the world include some variation of this classic cookie with a cake name. When I was growing up, we called them Russian Tea Cakes and they were made with chopped raw walnuts. They are also commonly called Snowballs and Mexican Wedding Cakes. … More Mini Tea Cakes, Star of the Day
It may be a good thing that today I sent a big handful of the wrapped Molasses Caramels to my mother and a few to my downstairs neighbors. Why? All the rest of the wrapped caramels are going to be unwrapped and repurposed. The caramels are indeed intensely flavored, which means that their appeal is … More Ginger Snicks with Molasses Caramel Filling, Star of The Day
There is a peanut butter fudge fan club in my family. There’s even a fan of a bowl of peanut butter frosting as a snack (not mentioning any names) in the family. Of the several kinds made over the years, this is the star, made from a Reese’s recipe I found online. Takes awhile. It’s … More Peanut Butter Fudge, Star of the Day
Christmas goodie-making time began on Monday night with an untried recipe which was a result of looking at half a dozen recipes for molasses caramels, choosing the one which appealed most because it doesn’t have corn syrup and having a go, changing it a bit. My family loves molasses and also a dark caramel custard. … More Molasses Caramels, Star of the Day
“Christmas with You” YouTube Link What is it about Christmas lights that make little children squeal with glee and grown-ups get their holiday groove on? I don’t put up a tree anymore, not even a fake tree, but lights? Plenty. They lift mood and help maintain it during the intense baking days. When these first … More Christmas with You
There is always leftover turkey after the next-day leftover Thanksgiving dinner and possibly a turkey sandwich, so I usually make real McCoy turkey enchiladas. Well, more like real Garcia turkey enchiladas since I learned how to make them in a lesson just for me by the Mexican-native mother of the teenager who babysat my daughter … More Chutney Baby, One More Time
Capturing the impression of light as it hits glass and fruit is one test of an artist’s still life paintings, to me. To some artists, it is merely the final touches of paint to the painting, to some a highlight, to others a reward for the work precedent. It is attention to detail in all … More Art as Food 2
While going to graduate school and living for several years in London, Thanksgiving dinner was not neglected by me or other American students and business people. Typically I invited colleagues from S.O.A.S. who came from many different countries and had not experienced our holiday tradition. (Some of the return invitations provided me the experience of … More Thanksgiving Joke, Told Yearly, Told Again
Ms Chef in Seattle 