Festive Fruitcake Cookies

From Pioneer Woman Cooks and totally worth it!

Nuts & Bolts

Recipe stolen from my Mother in Law

Into a really big bowl put:

• 14 cups (= 1 regular sized box) of spoon-sized Shreddies or Shredded Wheat or a combination of the two or something similar (brand doesn’t matter, but whole grain with no sugar added if possible)

• 8 cups of toasted O’s (again, brand doesn’t matter, but whole grains with no sugar added if possible)

• a 150 gram package of Bugles (Original)

• a small bag of Pretzel twists

• 2 cups of nuts (1 cup whole almonds, 1 cup peanuts or whatever)

In a large measuring cup mix up

• 1 cup melted butter

• 1 cup olive oil

• 1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

• 2 Tablespoons Soya sauce

• about ¼ cup salt/spice mix (about ½ table salt, 1/3 garlic powder, the rest chilli powder, onion powder, whatever - a pre-mixed dry grilling mix (Mesquite flavour) works well too

Pour the spice mix over the cereal mix, and mix it up to coat. Pour it all into pans (cookie sheets work, but rectangular cake pans/casserole dishes are better – the sides are higher – will take 3 or 4 pans) – it can all go onto double racks. Put it all into a 200F (convection bake setting works well) oven and cook it up for 1 ½ hours or more, until the greasy look is mostly gone, stirring it around every ½ hour or so.



Egg Nog Cookies

1 1/4 C white sugar

3/4 C soft butter

1/2 C eggnog

1 tsp vanilla

2 egg yolks

1 tsp nutmeg

2 1/4 C flour

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Combine flour, baking powder, cinnamon and nutmeg in a blow, set aside.

Cream sugar and butter.  Add eggnog, vanilla, egg yokes and beat until smooth.  Add flour mixture.

Bake 20-22 minutes at 300 F



Candy Cane Cookies

1 devil food cake mix

2 egg whites

1 egg

2 tbsp water

2 tbsp butter, melted

1 tsp mint extract

3/4 C chocolate chips

Mix all ingredient together, it will be very stiff.  Drop by teaspoons onto cookie sheet and bake 8-10 minutes. 

Once cooled, drizzle with melted chocolate chips and sprinkle crushed candy canes.



Butternut Squash Apple Soup

Seriously, it doesn't look it, but this was delicious!  An awesome fall soup!

Adapted from Canadian Living Oct 1010

1 small butternut squash (peeled & cut in pieces)
1 granny smith apple (cut in quarters, skin on)
1 onion (quartered)
2 tsp chopped garlic
2 tsp oil
2 c broth
4 slices bacon
2 tsp coriander
salt and pepper to taste

Place cut squash, apple, onion and garlic in a baking dish.  Coat and toss with oil.  Place in the over at 350F for 40 minutes, stirring frequently until all is tender.  Peel apple and place in blender along with squash and onion.  Pour 1 cup broth into pan and scrape all the bits off. (You may have to return it to the over for a bit)  Add the broth and bits to the blender and blend until smooth.

In a heavy pot cook chopped bacon until crisp.  Remove and place on paper towel to drain.  Add puree, remainder of broth and 1-2 cups of water.  Simmer over low heat for 10 minutes.

Serve with crisp bacon on top.

Carrot Gingerbread Muffins

These were excellent on there own, but made even better with a little cream cheese icing!

From Canadian Living September 2010

1/4 C raisins

Sprinkle raisins with 2 tsp water and cover with saran wrap.  Microwave on high for 20 second and let stand.

2 1/4 C flour

2 1/2 tsp ginger

2 tsp cinnamon

2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

pinch cloves

Combine all above dry ingredients in a bowl.

1/2 C butter

1/2 C brown sugar

1/4 C granulated sugar

In a separate bowl, cream the above ingredients until light about 1 minute.

1/4 C molasses

1 tsp vanilla

2 eggs

Beat the following into the butter mixture.

Stir flour mixture into butter mixture. Then add 3/4 C yogurt and stir until combined.

Fold in raisins and 2 C shredded carrots.  Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes.  Makes 18 muffins.

Surf & Turf

A little ginger lime shrimp and marinated beef tenderloin!

Ginger Lime Shrimp

1 piece ginger root (grated)

3 tbsp coriander

2 tbsp soya sauce

1 tbsp lime (I used half a lime)

2 tsp oil (I used garlic infused)

pinch of sugar

Mix all of the above ingredients together in a bowl and toss with shrimp.  Marinate for at least 1 hour.  Skewer and cook on the BBQ until done.

Marinated Beef (borrowed from Dad)

1/3 C soya Sauce

3 tbsp Honey or Ginger marmalade

1/2 Lime juice

2 tbsp Ginger

2 tsp Oxo

1 pckg Onion soup mix

2 tbsp Olive oil
2 tsp Paprika
2 tbsp Garlic
1 tsp Blended sesame oil



Mix together and pour in ziploc bag with beef. Marinate a couple of hours to overnight.  Grill as desired.

Crock Pot Pork

1 C bbq sauce

1/2 C apple cider vinegar

1/2 C chicken broth

1/4 C brown sugar

1 Tbsp mustard

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1 Tbsp chili powder

2 cloves garlic (I used the chopped kind you find in a bottle)

1 1/2 tsp thyme

Mix all ingredients in a crock pot and toss in a pork loin.  Cook on low 4-6 hours or high 2-3 hours.  Shred if desired.  I usually serve with rice or on buns.  Even Corbyn eats this!

Uitsmijter

This one is all Darcy and in memory of our wonderful trip to Holland!

Melt some butter in a frying pan, add the ham and crack an egg on top, cover and cook.   Top egg with large slice(s) of gouda to melt.  Serve on top of lightly toasted bread.

Apricot Cranberry Rice Crispy Squares

Borrowed from here

1/4 butter or margarine

5 C marshmallows (40 big ones)

1 1/2 C dried cranberries

1 C dried apricots chopped (I cut them in 4 with scissors)

4 C rice crispies

Melt butter and marshmallows in a saucepan over medium heat until combined and melted.  Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into a greased 9 x 9 pan.

Rhubarb Pie

I used the recipe from here and while it was good, next time I will add strawberries!

Spiced Pecans

I usually double or triple this recipe and store them in the fridge in an air tight container.  They are an awesome addition to any salad!

2/3 C pecans or walnuts

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 tbsp olive oil

1/4 tsp salt

pinch cayenne

2 tsp thyme

Roast the nuts on a cookie sheet at 350F for 7-10 minutes.  Mix remaining ingredients in a bowl and toss with nuts when they come out of the oven.

Brownies

From Hershey's Chocolate Lover's Cookbook

1 C butter or margarine, soft

2 C sugar

2 tsp vanilla

4 eggs

3/4 C cocoa

1 C flour

1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1 C chopped nuts (optional)

Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and eggs.  Stir in remaining ingredients until smooth.  Pour into greased 9 x 13 pan and bake for 30-35 minutes at 350F.

Green Tea Lemonade

My Starbuck's favourite of late, but they are so expensive & requires me to drive so I thought I would try making my own.

1 pot Green Tea (I love Mighty Leaf Green Tea Tropical, which can be found at London Drugs)

1 can frozen lemonade

Ice

Brew the tea, cool and place in fridge.  Combine 1/3 lemonade with 2/3 iced green tea over ice.

Cauliflower with Spicy Lime Cream

From Rachel Ray June/July 2010

1/3 C mayo

2 tbsp cilantro

4 tsp lime juice

1/2 tsp chili powder

Mix the previous 4 ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.

2 lb cauliflower, cut in pieces

1/4 C olive oil

1/2 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp salt

Combine the previous 4 ingredients in a large bowl and toss to coat.  Thread cauliflower onto skewers and grill on medium/high BBQ for 10 minutes, turning occasionally. 

Brush with mayo mixture and serve warm

Chocolate Chip Square

Borrowed from The RecipeZaar

1/2 C butter or margarine

1/2 C brown sugar

1/4 C sugar

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla

1 C flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 C chocolate chips

Cream butter, sugar, egg and vanilla.  Stir in flour, baking soda, salt and chips.  Scrape into a greased 9 x 9 pan and bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes.

Brined Rosemary Porkchops

3 tbsp kosher salt
3 tbsp brown sugar
3 whole branches rosemary
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tsp black pepper

Combine salt, sugar & 1 cup hot water.  Add 2 cusp cold water and remaining ingredients.  Combine with chops for 4-6 hours.  Drain & lets stand 20-30 minutes at room temperature

Brush lightly with olive oil before grilling over direct hear for 8-1o minutes, turning once.

Recipe courtesy of Aunt Joyce & SAIT continuing education culinary program.

Blueberry, Lemon & Brie Scones

1 egg
1/2 C milk
1/4 C melted butter
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 C whole wheat flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/4 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbsp lemon zest (used orange)
1 C fresh, frozen or dried blueberries (used fresh)
6 oz brie, sliced

Preheat oven to 425F & cover a cookie sheet with parchment paper.  Beat egg and then add milk, butter & vanilla.  In a separate bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar, salt and zest.  Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the liquid, mix until well blended.  Add blueberries.  Divide dough into 12 balls and place on cookie sheet.  Flatten and bake 12-15 minutes or until the scones are well browned.  When ready to eat, split and insert brie slice.

Borrowed from All You Need is Cheese (Spring 2010)

Stawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

In a medium sauce pan combine the following and bring to a boil to thicken

2/3 C sugar

1/3 C cornstarch

2 C chopped rhubarb
1 1/4 C strawberry
2 tbsp lemon juice

Mix the following in a medium bowl
3 C flour
1 C sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda

Cut in 1 C of cold butter until mixture is crumbly.  Make a well in middle and add
2 eggs
1 C buttermilk
1 tsp vanilla

Mix to combine.  Spoon 2/3 of bread mixture into a buttered 9 x 13 pan.  Cover with berry mixture and then drop spoonfuls of bread mixture over top.  Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.

Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie

My son asked for this, and when picky eater Corbyn asks for something, I usually make it.  Plus we already have a ton of Rhubarb.  It was excellent!

Small container of Strawberries, sliced

Approximately 2 C Rhubarb, chopped

3/4 C white sugard

1/3 C flour

cinnamon to taste

Combine and let sit for 30 minutes.  Pour into prepared pie crusts (I cannot make pastry to save my life, but Safeway makes excellent frozen crusts)  Dot with butter and top with second crust.  Seal edges and poke holes in top to let steam escape.  Place on lined baking sheet and bake for 35 minutes at 400F.

Blueberry Muffins

These are awesome, but not calorie friendly.  Borrowed from here.

2 eggs

1 C sugar

1/2 C oil

1/2 tsp vanilla

2 C flour

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 C sour cream

1 C blueberries

Whisk together eggs and sugar.  Gently pour in oil & vanilla and continue mixing.  In a separate bowl combine dry ingredients.  Alternate mixing dry ingredients and sour cream into egg mixture until combined.  Fold in blueberries.  Pour into lined muffin tins and bake for 20 minutes at 400F. (Suppose to make 12, but made 18)

***I love blueberry muffins with a slice of aged cheddar..try it!

Apple-Cranberry Crisp

Darc has been asking me to use the apples we froze from our apple tree last year. So this was it...

2 lbs apples sliced
3/4 C cranberries
1/4 C white sugar
3 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp nutmeg

Topping
1/2 C oats
1/4 C flour
1/2 C brown sugar
1/4 C melted butter
1/2 C pecans

Combine apples, berries, sugar, cinnamon & nutmeg.  Toss to coat and dump in a greased 8 x 8 dish.  Place pecans in plastic bag and smash with rolling pin.  Combine all the topping ingredients and sprinkle over the apple mixture.  Bake 35-45 minutes at 375F.

Pulled Pork

1 C BBQ sauce
1/2 C apple cider vinegar
1/2 C chicken broth
1/4 c brown sugar
1 Tbsp mustard
1 Tbsp Worcestershire
1 Tbsp chili powder (I use the stuff that comes in the big jar from Costco)
2 cloves garlic
1 1/2 tsp thyme

Combine the above.  Pour a little in the bottom of the crock pot, place roast and pour the remainder of the sauce over top.  Roast on high for 3-4 hours or low for 6-8.  Shred with two forks.  Serve with rice or over toasted buns.

Black & White Cupcakes

Borrowed from Bake or Break

Filling

8 oz cream cheese

1 egg

1/3 C sugar

Cupcake

1 C sugar

1 1/2 C flour

1/4 C cocoa

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

1 C warm water

1/3 C vegetable oil

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

1 tsp vanilla

Preheat the over to 350 F.  Beat in mixer the first 4 ingredients.  Meanwhile, in a medium size bowl combine dry ingredients.  Make a well in the center and add water, oil, vinegar and vanilla.  Stir until smooth.  Pour into lined cupcake tins 1/3 full, top with cream cheese mixture.  Bake 20-22 minutes.  Makes 24 cupcakes (but I usually only get 18 :)

Roast Chicken

1 tsp salt

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp onion powder

1/2 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp cayenne

3/4 tsp pepper

1/4 tsp garlic

Combine all ingredients and rub all over chicken.  This can be done 24 hours before hand.  Roast covered 4-5 hours at 250 F.  Uncover for the last 30 minutes.

**I buy 3 packs of chicken from Costco and will rub this on before I freeze them.

Scones

1 3/4 C flour

1/3 C sugar

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

zest from one orange

5 Tbsp butter

8 Tbsp orange juice (juice from one orange)

1/2 C chocolate chips

Combine the first 5 ingredients in a medium size bowl.  Cut in butter until mixture is crumbled.  Mix in orange juice and chocolate chips.  Shape into 12 scones place a on parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 12 minutes at 400 F.

**substitute chocolate chips for cranberries

Stuffing

5 1/4 C of bread cubed (approx. baguette & half)
1 lb sausage (I use hot)
clove of garlic
1 C onion chopped
2 1/2 tsp sage
1 1/2 tsp rosemary
1/2 tsp thyme
1 apple, corred & diced
3/4 C cranberries
1 C mushrooms, chopped (I usually omit)
3/4 C chicken stock
4 TBSP butter, melted

In a large skillet cook sausage, onions & garlic, breaking up lumps until evenly browned.  Add spices and cook 2 minutes.

In a large bowl mix bread, apples, cranberries & mushrooms.  Add the mixture from the skillet and combine.  Drizzle with stocket and melted butter.

Spoon into the turkey to loosely fill.  Place remaining in a greased casserole dish and put in the fridge until time to cook.  Cook for 30 minutes at 350F until nicely browned.

Banana Chip Muffins or Bread

1 1/2 C flour
3/4 C sugar
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon (I use way more)
2 egg whites
1 C bananas mashed
1/4 C apple sauce
1 C chocolate chips

Mix the wet (I sometime puree them in a mini chopper), mix the dry and then combine the two!  Grease or line tins

Make 8 x 4 pan or 18 muffins.  Bake at 350 F for 50 minutes for the loaf or 15 minutes for the muffins.

Orange-Cranberry Biscotti

To go along with the ridiculous amount of coffee with drink each weekend.

Got the recipe here.

1/2 C butter

3/4 C white sugar

2 eggs

2 TBSP orange zest (the more the better, I used 2 large navel oranges)

2 TBSP orange liqueur (I used contreau)

2 1/4 C flour

1 1/2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

3/4 C roasted & chopped almonds

1/2 C dried cranberries (I used more)

Beat butter and sugar, add eggs.  Stir in zest and liqueur.  Mix the fry ingredients together and add to the wet.  Stir until combined.  Turn out onto a floured surface and divided dough into two equal pieces.  Roll each into a log approximately 10 inches long and 1 1/2 inches wide.  Bake on parchment paper for 20-25 minutes at 350 F until the top is brown.  Let stand 15 minutes.  Cute on a diagonal and return to parchment lined baking sheet.  Bake for 10 minutes at 350F, flip and bake for another 10 minutes.  Cool completely on wire racks.

Bread Pudding from Hot Cross Buns

I am having issues with the amount of food that we waste, so when I had 3 leftover hot cross buns I found something to do with them.  Problem was I don't like bread pudding and I am not a big fan of hot cross buns.  My hubby swears this was excellent.

Followed the recipe that I found here

French Toast

From Food Network Magazine (April 2010)

4 eggs

1 1/2 C Milk (I used 1C vanilla milk, 1/2 C skim)

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp sugar

pinch of salt

6 slices of bread

Whisk the first 6 ingredients in a bowl.  Working in batches dip the bread in the egg mixture and cook in a skillet until golden.  Transfer to a lined baking sheet.

Bake for 8-10 minutes at 350F until puffed.  Serve with syrup and fruit.

Monkey Bread

I have made 3 batches of this but it gets eaten so fast this is all I could manage to snap for a picture

Make the cinnamon buns here, but once out of the bread machine do the following.

1/2 C Butter Melted

1/2 C Sugar

3 Tbsp cinnamon

Raisons

Pinch of pieces of dough in a variety of sizes.  Dip in butter, then sugar and place in a a greased tube pan.  Sprink raisons at will. Let rise in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size.  Bake at 350 F for 25 minutes.  Let stand 10 minutes before you turn out.

Bruschetta

1/2 C Roma Tomatos, sliced

2 Tbsp Red Onion chopped
1 tsp garlic mashed
4 sprigs basil (I used about 1-2 tsp)
Splash of Balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
2 Tbsp grated parmesan
Sea salt & black pepper to taste
Part of Baguette, sliced

Add first 9 ingredients to bowl, place in fridge for hours or days.  Using broiler toast sliced baguettes.  Drizzle baguette with olive oil and place a tbsp of brushetta on each slice.  Sprinkle some parmesan over top and broil until cheese melts.

Asparagus with Goat Cheese Dressing

I got the recipe from the Tasty Kitchen and adapted it a little.

2lbs aspasagus

3 tbps balsamic vinegar

1 tsp dijon mustad

1/4 C olive oil

6 oz goat chees

1 tbsp minced onion

Steam aspagus for about 3 minutes, until bright green and tender crisp.  Arrange aspagus on a platter and season with salt and peppper.  Beat vinegar and mustard until smooth.  Beat in olive oil.  Crumble cheese and onion over asparagus and drizzle with dressing. 

Cinnamon Bun Pancakes

If you don't frequent the Tasty Kitchen for recipes, you really should start. 

I am just going to link to the recipe because I duplicated it exactly!  Make sure to make the icing...I mean syrup that does along with these.  They taste exactly like cinnamon buns.  A hit with me, husband, husband's co-workers but not the kids :(  They were lacking chocolate chips.

Sweet buns

Place the following in your bread machine and set to dough setting:

1/2 C warm water

1/2 C warm milk

1 egg

1/3 C melted butter

1/3 C sugar

1 tsp salt

3 3/4 C flour

1 pck active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp yeast)

Roll into approximately 16 buns and place in greased 9 x 13 pan.  Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes or until doubled in size.  (I let them rise in the oven, covered with a cup of boiling water)  Bake at 400F for 10-15 minutes.

Naan Bread

Place the following in your bread machine on dough cycle:

1/4 C melted butter

1 C warm water

3 Tbsp milk

1 egg

1/4 C sugar

4 C flour

2 tsp salt

2 tsp garlic

1 pckg active dry yeast (2 1/4 tsp)

Preheat the oven with pizza stone inside to 400F.  Roll out dough into approximately 5 inch rounds.  Place on pizza stone and bake until puffed and slightly brown.

Herbed Focaccia (Bread Machine)

For a 2lb Loaf

1 1/2 Cups warm water

3 Tbsp olive oil

1 Tbsp italian herb blend

2 tsp salt

4 1/4 Cups flour

2 tsp yeast (active dry or bread machine)

Place ingredients in bread machine on dough cycle.

Brush a  9 x 13 pan with oil.  Roll out dough on floured surface to an appropriate size.  Cover loosely and let rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 40 minutes.

Preheat oven to 450F.  Drizzle bread dough with olive oil, sprinkly with salt, cheese and herbs.  Bake 10-20 minutes, depending on size.

Indian Cashews

Canadian Living January 2010

 

3 Cups unsalted cashews

2 tsp sea salt

2 tsp curry

1/2 tsp cumin

1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

1/4 cup water

1 Tbsp brown sugar

1 Tbsp butter

 

On parchment lined baking sheet toast cashed in 350F oven for 10 minutes or until golden.  Mean while combine salt, curry, cumin & caynenne.  In a sauce pan, bring water, sugar and butter to a boil.  Stir in cashews and simmer until no liquid remains.  Add to spice mixture and toss to coat.  Roast nuts on same baking sheet until dry, about 10 minutes.

Lemon Curd

Borrowed from All Recipes

3/4 C Fresh lemon juice

1 Tbsp Lemon zest

3/4 C Sugar

3 Eggs

1/2 C Butter cubed

Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan and heat over medium low heatCook until curd can hold whisk marks.

Pour into prepared (cooked) tart shells and chill.

Soft Oatmeal Cookies

Borrowed from All Recipes

Ok, it was an exact copy except I used 1/2C raisons & 1/2C chocolate chips.

Paint Brush Cookies

We made these every Christmas when I was a kid, but my kids wanted to make them today!

Sugar Cookies

1/3 C Butter

1/3 C shortening

2 C flour

3/4 C sugar

1 egg

1 Tbsp milk

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

Paints: egg yolk, 1/4 tsp water & food colouring

Beat butter and shortening for 30 seconds. Add about 1 cup of flour and mix. Add sugar, egg, milk, baking powder, vanill and salt. Mix until combined and then still in remaining flour. Chill for 3 hours. (Sometimes I don't chill at all :)

Roll and cut out & paint. Bake at 375F for 7-8 minutes

Cinnamon Buns

Into the bread machine:

3/4 C water

1 Egg

1/4 C melted butter

2 tsp vanilla

6 tbsp sugar

1 tsp salt

2 tbsp milk powder

1 1/2 tsp yeast

Place on dough setting.

Filling (in seperate bowl)

1/4 C butter

1/3 C brown sugar

2 tsp cinnamon

Roll out dough into a rectangle, spread filling and sprinkle with raisons & pecans.

Roll & slice into 12 buns. Let rise in a warm place for 45 minutes.

Bake at 375 F for 15 minutes.