Category Holiday

Pumpkin Soup

I was going through old cookbooks that have been passed on along the years. I found one that my Mother in Law gave me that is titled "Light Cuisine" Cook Light ~ Eat Right, presented by Professional Home Economists in 1979. The recipe that most intrigued me was the pumpkin soup. I had never made it before and I had everything in my pantry at home. The woman who shared the recipe is Barbara Gershman...Read More

Angel Berry Trifle Dessert

I've wanted to make this dessert for years now. Finally I decided it would be the perfect dessert for the hot summer days and 4th of July parties. I decided to double the recipe and make it 2 different ways. I did one in a Tupperware container that I could leave at a party and not worry about getting the dish back. I made one in my trifle bowl, and then decided to purchase those individual sponge cake shells...Read More

Turkey Stock & Giblet Gravy

You can prep everything ahead of time, so all you have to do is add it in. I chopped all the veggies and made containers of the dried and wet ingredients to take to my mother in laws. Read More

St. Patrick’s Day Cauldron Cupcakes

  Ingredients for Cupcakes:
  1 box Betty Crocker Super Moist Butter Yellow Cake Mix, 15.25 oz.
  Cake mix requires: 3 eggs, 1 cup of water, and 1/3 cup of butter
  Ingredients for center filling:   
  1 cup of sour cream
  1 cup of white sugar
  1 cup of sweetened coconut
  Ingredients for frosting:
  6 oz. Ghirardelli Dark Melting Chocolate wafers
  6 oz...
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Charcuterie, Cheese & Fruit Plates

I saw a post on Pinterest from cali-zona.com which inspired me to go with many prepared platters for our New Year ’s Eve party. I went a little bigger than planned but I am happy with the outcome. There was seriously a little bit of everything. I think the best way would be to list everything that was laid out on the table and then you can decide what inspires you for your next party...
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Russian Teacake Cookies

I always love the taste of these cookies, especially around Christmas. They are perfect on their own and even more perfect with a cup of tea or coffee...
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Caramel Apple Pie

FUJI APPLES = FIRST ATTEMPT WITH DULCE DE LECHE
GRANNY SMITH APPLES = 2ND ATTEMPT WITH CARAMEL SAUCE
Ingredients {for the apple filling}: Enough for one pie
  • Firm Apples- 6 large Fuji apples (sweeter) or Granny Smith (more tart)
  • Sugar- 2/3 cup *See Notes at the bottom
  • Cinnamon- 1 1/2 tsp.
  • Dulce de Leche (this takes 2 hours) – Use half of the can in the apples and the other half for topping or...
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Perfect Pie Crust

This is the Tenderflake lard company’s recipe for flaky pie crust. Tenderflake is based in Canada so I modified a little since I couldn’t get my hands on their lard.
 
Ingredients: {for the pie crust}Yields 3 times 9″ double pie crusts or 6 pie shells
 
5 ½ cups all purpose, pre-sifted flour
2 teaspoons of salt
1 lb. or 16oz. of Farmer John Premium Manteca Lard or any lard
1 egg, lightly ...
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Reese’s Peanut Butter Fudge

My Grandma had this recipe in her recipe box more than 5 times so I knew it would be good. The best part is that it is super easy and it does taste just like a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup. These would be perfect to have out for the holidays. I took cold slices of it to the neighbors last night so they had a surprise dessert after dinner. It is basically peanut butter chocolate fudge...
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Tamales

Growing up I would visit my best friend in the whole wide world at her house in La Verne. Around the holidays I remember her family working endless hours in the kitchen making tamales. I have never attempted to make them myself so Jen and I asked her Aunt Cathy and her mom if they would show us some of their tricks. Here are some helpful hints to making perfect tamales.

Northgate Market – hu...
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