Another Food (and Beverage) Thread!

[Sara]

Last night, I went to a “tree-trimming party” that turned out to be more of a celebration of food. (Not that I’m complaining!) We were asked to bring something to share. I decided to try something I’d never done before, and it turned out well. So I was thinking, why not a thread for our favorite holiday treats – new or old favorites. Whether you like Hanukkah latkes, plum pudding, or whatever tickles your palate, you’re invited to serve it up, here.

This is quick and easy and can be made with plain or spiced rum. For kids, simply leave out the rum. (Or leave it in for better-behaved kids, as my host suggested!)


Make-Ahead Hot Buttered Rum Mix

"This is an easy, delicious hot-buttered rum that doesn't require cream or ice cream. Keep the mixture on hand in the fridge for use anytime. You can substitute 1/2 cup hot strong coffee or tea for the rum and boiling water.”


PREP TIME
10 Min

SERVINGS – 10

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange peel
1/2 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spiceDIRECTIONS

Mix the brown sugar together with the butter, orange peel, and pumpkin pie spice in a mixing bowl until evenly blended. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
To make 1 serving, place 1 rounded tablespoon of the brown sugar mixture into a mug. Add the rum and boiling water, and stir until the mixture is completely dissolved.

[coffeegyrl]

I wonder how that would taste added to a cup of my famous coffee.

[Eva]

German lebkuchen. From a good backery. Yummmmmmm! My German parttime lover brought me some last time. I think I love him :)

Eva

[hoops]

ok, i like two kinds of holiday cookies, one of them is swedish butter balls...they are so easy to make, just butter and confectioners sugar, walnuts and vanilla, i think,...maybe something else but i can't think of it right now
and
Jello cookies.. a little more difficult to make cause you need a cookie press. they are made much like your average sugar cookie but they have powdered jello added and the secret to making them perfect is to add twice as much jello as the recipe calls for. YUMMMMMMMMMMM.
another thing i like about holidays is your very basic potato chips and onion dip, the rest of the world can go eat stuff pork limbs or whatever they think is fabulous...give me chips and dip and i'm happy
peace
hoops

[aabram]

Last night, I went to a “tree-trimming party” that turned out to be more of a celebration of food. (Not that I’m complaining!) We were asked to bring something to share. I decided to try something I’d never done before, and it turned out well. So I was thinking, why not a thread for our favorite holiday treats – new or old favorites. Whether you like Hanukkah latkes, plum pudding, or whatever tickles your palate, you’re invited to serve it up, here.

This is quick and easy and can be made with plain or spiced rum. For kids, simply leave out the rum. (Or leave it in for better-behaved kids, as my host suggested!)


Make-Ahead Hot Buttered Rum Mix

"This is an easy, delicious hot-buttered rum that doesn't require cream or ice cream. Keep the mixture on hand in the fridge for use anytime. You can substitute 1/2 cup hot strong coffee or tea for the rum and boiling water.”


PREP TIME
10 Min

SERVINGS – 10

INGREDIENTS

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 teaspoon finely grated fresh orange peel
1/2 teaspoon ground pumpkin pie spiceDIRECTIONS

Mix the brown sugar together with the butter, orange peel, and pumpkin pie spice in a mixing bowl until evenly blended. Use immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 month.
To make 1 serving, place 1 rounded tablespoon of the brown sugar mixture into a mug. Add the rum and boiling water, and stir until the mixture is completely dissolved.

Alright, so I think I'm liking this thread already :)

[Oak Kitten]

We just had our office potluck at work last week. I made Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce. It went over pretty well. Only four meatballs left over, which I had for lunch the next day. Mmm mmm.

Oak

[DaveM]

My bank has apparently been Touched By A Rudie. Their calendar for 2009 includes a recipe for each month, with a pocket for others.

[hoops]

the other ingredient in the swedish butter balls is flour...now how could i forget that??? Peanut butter had a great time helping me make them last night. I'm the kind of person, when i bake, i gotta get my hands in there so i know the consistancy is right...well as you might imagine, that leaves room for some spillage...being spillage that was LOADED with butter, peanut butter jumped right on it before i could fall to the floor...lol
another holiday fav, i haven't had in decades were these mollasass ( how the heck is that spelled?) cookies that had home made concord grape jelly in the middle. they took time and effort to make but yummmmm, they were good. here is the thing...mom hated to cook...imagine having a husband who loves to eat and is very fussy and having 9 kids and hating to cook. she hated it before all of that and still, every day...and she did it very well, tho she never thought so. we told her every night how delicious her food was, and thanked her. i'm babbling
peace
hoops

[sky]

Best hot chocolate

1 cup milk
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 soft banana
pinch cinnamon
pinch salt
3 ounces semisweet chocolate finely chopped
3 ounces bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
1/3 cup marshmallow spread

In a blender, combine the milk, cream, banana, cinnamon, salt. Puree until very smooth and thick. Pour the milk mixture into a small saucepan and set over medium heat.

Warm the mixture, whisking constantly until barely comes to a simmer. Add both choclates and the marshmallow spread. Wisk until completely melted.

if desired top with whipped cream.

It is tradition in our home to make homemade soft and chewy caramel popcorn every christmas. Yum

[Sara]

Thanks for that recipe, Sky. I'd like to try it! The thing is, I no longer have a blender. Do you think it'd work if I just mushed up the ingredients as best I can by hand, and then just let it all melt in a pot over the stove? :confused:

[Bat]

I'm pretty simple as far as hot drinks go...cocoa or a hot brandy will do fine.
But I'm an absolute nut for caramel corn...GOTTA HAVE A RECIPE FOR THAT!!
Please? Anyone? MEOW!!:D

[Sara]

I'm pretty simple as far as hot drinks go...cocoa or a hot brandy will do fine.
But I'm an absolute nut for caramel corn...GOTTA HAVE A RECIPE FOR THAT!!
Please? Anyone? MEOW!!:D
How 'bout this?

Caramel Popcorn
"Great caramel popcorn for any holiday or occasion. If you like chewy popcorn, bake less."

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq287/schoolcounselor4kids/CaramelPopcorn.jpg

PREP TIME 30 Min
COOK TIME 1 Hr
READY IN 1 Hr 30 Min
Original recipe yield: 5 quarts

SERVINGS – 20


INGREDIENTS

1 cup butter
2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 quarts popped popcornDIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (95 degrees C). Place popcorn in a very large bowl.
In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt butter. Stir in brown sugar, corn syrup and salt. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Boil without stirring 4 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in soda and vanilla. Pour in a thin stream over popcorn, stirring to coat.
Place in two large shallow baking dishes and bake in preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, for 1 hour. Remove from oven and let cool completely before breaking into pieces.

[Mary6906]

I just got finished baking some Chinese Chews

1/2 cup shortening
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 cup flour
pinch of salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 small pkg. chopped dates
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1 small bottle cherries (cut into pieces)

Mix in order given. Then pour into a greased 8x8 (or larger ) pan.
Bake 35-45 minutes at 350F. Let cool, then cut into pieces.

[sky]

Sara, i don't know if that would work. You might end up with chunks of banana in the cocoa.

This is my favorite caramel popcorn recipe,
1 cup water
2 pound brown sugar
1 cup white Karo syrup
1 cup of shortening
2 lb butter (not margarine)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

combine sugar, water and stir to boil. Add butter and shortning then cook to 255 degrees (i find 265 degrees works best on the candy thermometer). Remove from heat, add vanilla and baking soda and stir well, then add popcorn while stirring. Yum

[sky]

This is a brownie recipe with matshmellow on it that my mother made for every occasion when I was growing up. now I make it and it always seems to be a big hit.

1 cup butter
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sugar
mix the above ingredients together then add

4 eggs beaten well
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups walnuts (optional)
2 teaspoons vanilla

Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes in greased floured pan.
Take from oven and add 1 pound mini marshmellows, and bake for 5 minutes. cool one hour and ice thinly. If you bake it the day before don't ice it until the day you serve it (because it always looks better when the icing is fresh).

icing ingredients
1/2 margerine or butter
1 2/3 cups powered sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon vanilla
add canned milk to desired consistancy and frost brownies

[Eva]

You American people eat weird things sometimes... :confused:
Oh well. If it tastes good... :D

Eva

[sky]

It taste better than good. But I never said it was good for you.

[hoops]

my sister and i took care of dinner today...somehow we always find ourselves in the kitchen together on the holidays...she is a very good cook and baker, in fact her last name is Baker..but i digress. she makes these chocolate cupcakes that are so moist, as cakes usually are not...AND she fills them and tops them with whipped cream that has real...good quality semi sweet chocolate melted and folded into it...OMG!!
peace
hoops

[Bat]

Sara, Sky, thank you both! I think Sky's recipe sounds like the one my mom used to make popcorn balls...that was a real treat when I was a kid!!!

[Sara]

Okay, for health conscious folks and those making those resolutions to slim down and eat healthier, here is a link giving the worst (highest calorie, high transfat, etc.) foods in some of America's restaurant chains:

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/20-Worst-Foods/index.php?cm_mmc=Yahoo_blog-_-ETNT-_-The_20_Worst_Supermarket_Foods_in_America-_-Eat_This_Not_That

As an example:

The Worst Food in America
Outback Steakhouse Aussie Cheese Fries with Ranch Dressing (no offense to our Australian Rudies)

http://www.menshealth.com/eatthis/cms/uploads/1/worstfood.jpg

2,900 calories
182 g fat
240 g carbs

This weapon of mass construction is the caloric equivalent of eating 14 Krispy Kreme doughnuts, before your dinner arrives. Even if you split this "starter" with 3 friends, you'll have downed a meal's worth of calories.

Super Substitution: Both the Seared Ahi and the Shrimp on the Barbie offer a big dose of protein, which helps diminish hunger without putting you into calorie overload.

[dragonlady]

2,900 calories
182 g fat
240 g carbs


Holy Moly!!!!! I'll NEVER order that again!!!!

-di

[DaveM]

I think Red Lobster has a few offerings which are at least as bad, especially if you have a couple of their biscuits.

[coffeegyrl]

I'd rather have the Krispy Kremes (well, maybe not all of them) instead of those nasty fries anyway. That's a waste of perfectly good cheese!

[Eva]

Holy Moly!!!!! I'll NEVER order that again!!!!

-di
Yeah right... :rolleyes: I always say that about the high caloriestuff too. The truth is that all those fat and carbs feel so... satisfying :) :eek:

Eva

[Mary6906]

The meatballs/sausages and sauce have been cooking in the crock pot all day and is about ready to be served.... just waiting for the pasta to be done...

anyone want to have a virtual pasta party with me? Get your dishes and I'll be dishing it out.... One meatball and sausage per customer please... I only have so many.

http://www.lesleycooks.com/pasta/spag.jpg

Who's got the vino?

[coffeegyrl]

I want two sausages and no meatball!

there's a whine for ya...

[Sara]

anyone want to have a virtual pasta party with me? Get your dishes and I'll be dishing it out.... One meatball and sausage per customer please... I only have so many.

Who's got the vino?
I like Sally's "whine," but I also brought some. Here, Mary. Let me pour a little for you.

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq287/schoolcounselor4kids/PouringWineresized.jpg

[Eva]

Damnit, I am hungry again *sigh*

Eva

[Mary6906]

I still got some leftovers.... it always tastes better the next day after it marinates a bit!!

[Eva]

I'm afraid they will be off by the time I get to your place... :(

Eva

[Roady]

We just had our office potluck at work last week. I made Swedish meatballs with lingonberry sauce. It went over pretty well. Only four meatballs left over, which I had for lunch the next day. Mmm mmm.

Oak

Yum! One of my favorite meals! Haven't had real Swedish meatballs since my Mom died. Funny all the Finns - didn't know too many who weren't-made "Swedish" meatballs. Wonder why they didn't call them Finnish meatballs? Also loved cabbage rolls-baked and crispy on the outside. Not the boiled Polish ones.

[Oak Kitten]

Yum! One of my favorite meals! Haven't had real Swedish meatballs since my Mom died. Funny all the Finns - didn't know too many who weren't-made "Swedish" meatballs. Wonder why they didn't call them Finnish meatballs? Also loved cabbage rolls-baked and crispy on the outside. Not the boiled Polish ones.


If you made Finnish meatballs, you would have to put fish in them. Finns put fish in coffee, so why not meatballs?

Oak

[hoops]

cause that would be yucky
peace
hoops

[coffeegyrl]

Hoops you crack me up. And you are absolutely right! Yucky indeed.

[DaveM]

Don't the Finns use fish SKIN as a filter for clearing the grounds out of coffee? No idea where I heard that, but considering how most Eastern Europeans take their coffee (put grounds in cup, pour boiling water over grounds, drink with teeth together), it sounds like a fine idea.

[Oak Kitten]

Don't the Finns use fish SKIN as a filter for clearing the grounds out of coffee?

Don't know the answer to that one, Dave. Can't say I have ever tried introducing fish in any manner into coffee. I am a traitor to my ethnic heritage.

Oak

[coffeegyrl]

Don't the Finns use fish SKIN as a filter for clearing the grounds out of coffee? No idea where I heard that, but considering how most Eastern Europeans take their coffee (put grounds in cup, pour boiling water over grounds, drink with teeth together), it sounds like a fine idea.

coffeegyrl is HORRIFIED! What, they don't have paper in Finland?

[Mary6906]

Even I find that revolting!! UGH

[DaveM]

Well, Coffegyrl....as far as paper is concerned, if you go to the bathroom anywhere in Europe, do be prepared for one sort of surprise or another. It's best to bring your own.

[Sara]

Well, Coffegyrl....as far as paper is concerned, if you go to the bathroom anywhere in Europe, do be prepared for one sort of surprise or another. It's best to bring your own.
It's funny how non-food threads tend to evolve into foodie discussions and this one, a food thread, has devolved into . . . well, you be the judge! :D

[Dee]

Don't the Finns use fish SKIN as a filter for clearing the grounds out of coffee?

Barbarians! http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/shocked.jpg MORTIFICATION! http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k267/deemark/Emoticons/barf.jpg

I shall just sit here and politely drink my Honey & Ginger Green Tea and try to forget that I ever saw that.

Erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase erase . . .

[Bat]

Speaking of things Strange and Wonderful: I went to a NYE party where one guest brought a Rose Pie. I think it is her own recipe, sounds like something right out of hippiedom, and it was astounding stuff...tasted just like roses smell, and it was delicious!
It was like a lemon meringue pie, only instead of lemon flavor it was flavored with blended/pureed rose petals from an exceedingly sweet-smelling and prolific rose. She harvested the flowers from her garden and froze the petals, then pureed them and added to the clear pudding for the pie.
As I said, it was astoundingly delicious, and I think I've lived my whole umpty-ump years just to taste it!

[Eva]

Goodness, you people are squimish (sp?) May I remind you that the meat of the sausages most of you like to eat is pressed into the intestines of the animal it is made out of. Intestines yes. They get cleared and cleaned of poopy remains and there comes the meat! Tasty eh? :D

Eva

[Mary6906]

Hey, nobody's ever taken a bite out of me and complained!! :)

[DaveM]

The rose pie reminds me of a drink I tasted at the "World Of Coca-Cola" museum in Atlanta, c. 1992. They have or had an automated soda fountain where you could drink all of the Coca-Cola products you could hold (the hallway leading out of the place was lined with around 20 bathrooms, as I recall). Anyway, they had taps which delivered every Coca-Cola product sold anywhere in the world, and one was a "flower flavored" version of Fanta (sold in Japan according to the label).

It was oversweetened, and so tasted a bit like bubble gum, but there was an aromatic quality to it that outlasted the stickiness and was an absolute delight. Like a flavor and a scent experienced at the same time....interesting stuff, which I've never tasted since.

[Bat]

Dave, that describes Rose Pie to a T! I think you would love it, and it's no sweeter than lemon meringue, without the tang of lemon...which I guess makes it pretty sweet. The roses smell and taste quite strongly...a real taste treat, so different as to be astounding to first time triers.

[Sara]

Just got this recipe through using the link in Amy's post (www.soyvay.com (http://www.soyvay.com)) on the Secret Santa thread. (I think the website is a riot - thanks, Amy!, and great for Redjack.)

Can't wait to try it!

http://i456.photobucket.com/albums/qq287/schoolcounselor4kids/SoyVayLogo.gif

County Fair Sonata Salad
Caprice Potter

12 cups of mixed greens (red and green butter, red and green loose leaf, romaine, baby greens)
1/2 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup walnuts
1 Tbls. maple syrup
1 medium ripe pear, thinly sliced
1/4 cup blue cheese crumbles (optional)

Mix the walnuts and the maple syrup and spread in a single layer on a cookie sheet. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes or until crispy. Let cool. Mix all ingredients well.

Salad Dressing
3/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
1 Tablespoon Soy Vay Veri Veri Teriyaki
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon onion flakes
1 teaspoon oregano or other herbs
1 clove garlic, minced

Mix all ingredients in a glass jar and shake well. Pour over salad and toss. Serves 12.

[Bat]

Oh, YUMMY! That sounds really delicious!

[Mary6906]

Yes, I looked over that site, too. They do have some things I would like to try indeed.