Recipe Friday--Candy Land

Jean here. I didn't use my regular logo because I love the look of Candy Land, though this version is nothing like the one I had as a child.

I am a candy maker from way back. Apparently, I am some kind of idiot savant because I can make divinity on a rainy day--something those who ought to know say can't be done. Lest you think I am claiming to be some kind of culinary goddess, let me hasten to say that I can't make a pound cake and get it out of the pan in one piece. Anyway, I'm not giving you that divinity recipe. I will if you comment that you want it, but I just don't see what's all that divine about divinity. I like a peanut butter situation of some sort way better. I am giving you three of my tried and trues that are always crowd pleasers.

And if you want that divinity recipe, shout out. I don't believe in secret recipes.

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Peanut Butter Fudge

• 2 cups of sugar
• 2/3 cup milk
• ¾ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy; whatever you prefer. I've used both)
• ¾ cup marshmallow cream
• ¼ cup butter

Grease an 8 or 9 inch square pan.Combine sugar and milk in a saucepan and cook to a soft ball on candy thermometer.Remove from heat. Add remaining ingredients and stir well. Pour into prepared dish and cool. Cut into one inch squares.

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Chocolate Almond Toffee

• 6 oz. sliced almonds
• 1 lb. butter
• 2 cups sugar
• pinch of salt
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 12 oz. chocolate chips—milk or semi sweet

Spray a cookie sheet (with sides) with nonstick spray. Spread with half of the almonds.

Melt butter in a cast iron skillet over medium heat. Add sugar, salt, and vanilla. Increase heat to high and stir, working butter into melted sugar. You will think you have too much butter but you don't. It will happen.

Cook, stirring constantly, until it is the color of a Heath bar. (You can cook it until it comes to 300 degrees on a candy thermometer, but I just cook by color. Normally, I am a great believer in the candy thermometer but this is a shallow mixture and I find it works better to just watch it.)

Pour mixture over almonds, spreading to cover them. It doesn't have to go all the way to the edges.

Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Give it a minute for them to melt, and then spread chocolate to the edges of the toffee. Sprinkle with remaining almonds.

Refrigerate until hard—it doesn't take long, maybe an hour. Break into pieces.

The original recipe says to store it in the refrigerator but I never do.

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Microwave Peanut Brittle

• 1 cup sugar
• ½ cup corn syrup
• 1½ cups unsalted dry roasted peanuts
• I teaspoon butter
• I teaspoon vanilla extract
• I teaspoon baking soda
  

Combine sugar and corn syrup in a 2-quart glass measuring cup.Microwave on High for 4 minutes. Stir in peanuts with a wooden spoon. Microwave on High for 3 minutes. Stir in butter and vanilla. Microwave on High for 2 to 2½ minutes or until the mixture registers 500 degrees on a candy thermometer, hard-crack stage. Add baking soda, stirring until light and foamy. Pour quickly onto a baking sheet sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Spread with the back of a spoon. Use 2 forks to spread thinly as the candy cools. Let stand to cool completely. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

Christmas Memories

This week I was sharing about a favorite Christmas with my students.  I teach 3rd grade and the year I was in the 3rd grade was one of the best Christmases that I EVER had. 

Of course, some of that may have to do with the fact that I thought Santa had visited our house and left me a lot of really cool stuff but not left my sister anything!  She had been being really bad.  So bad in fact that Santa had actually called her a few weeks before Christmas to warn her that she was on the Naughty List!   I remember it like it was yesterday!  I had on my navey Winnie the Pooh turtle neck and my red, white and blue bell bottomed pants.   We walked into the living room and there sat all of my splendid gifts...a doll that walked and had hair that grew, an a Raggedy Ann bank, and an 8-track player with detached speakers!!!  But there wasn't anything for my sister! I told her that she had been warned what would happen and that she should have been good like me. (Of course, the defination for "good" can be VERY subjective!)   I let her know right away that since I was so good that I would let her play with my game while we listened to music that I selected and that maybe if she was really good the Easter Bunny would come to see her.

Of course, it was about this time that my mother went into the kitchen, probably to get a fly swatter to smack me with for being such a mean girl, but when she turned the lights on in there she discovered that Santa had brought my sister a kitchen set with a stove, sink and refrigerator so he had set up all of her stuff in the kitchen. Yea!  No, really I was happy for her that she got some things, really.

So what is a Christmas memory that you cherish?

A Gift for Everyone on Your List...Maybe

Tis the season to get catalogues. I have been inundated this Holiday Season with catalogues from every known and unknown company in the continental United States. My normal-sized mailbox is stuffed full of them; so much so I am starting to feel guilty about the mail lady having to lift them from her car (maybe not, remember the mail episodes we have been through over the years). Any way, I dutifully drag them home and make two piles: one that I will look through; and one that I will immediately throw in the garbage (mostly farm implements – don’t think I want to be giving a disc harrow to my best friend this year).

Looking through most of the catalogues, there have been items that I sit and wonder why anyone would buy them. For that matter it amazes me that someone actually thought them up, got them manufactured and then persuaded a company to sell them. So, I have compiled a list, with commentaries of course, of the some of the unusual ones that I have seen this season.

1. The Leg Lamp from A Christmas Story – I love this movie and the leg lamp is probably one of the funniest parts. But who in the world would actually put one of those up in their house? Just saying…
2. Remote Control Tarantula – Why would someone want a five-inch tarantula walking across your floor? I must admit I considered buying the dang thing just to scare the boys at the barn. But for what it costs I had visions of them taking a shovel to it before I could stop them. Didn’t want to waste the money even for a laugh.
3. The Target Alarm Clock – This would be the perfect gift for Maven Linda, our resident sharpshooter. The clock has a target sticking out the top and there is a gun that you shoot at the target to turn the alarm off. Just hope they don't grab the wrong gun and actually shoot it (visions of splintering alarm clock).
4. The “Pot” Holder - A silicone potholder for lifting those hot lids - only this one is in the shape of a “Pot” leaf (marijuana). Thought it was a cute pun.
5. The Wand Remote Control – A remote control for the television that is a wizard wand. I am sure there are a few Harry Potter fans who would love this one. Seems you have to master certain moves to make the thing work. That I would like to see.
6. Skeleton Garden Gnomes - Like the cute little red-hated Gnomes you put in the garden only these look like zombies. Gee, wonder if you would put them with the dead flowers?
7. 28-Day Mascara - I have a hard enough time just getting the regular mascara off. I can’t imagine what it would take to remove mascara after wearing it for 28 days. Kind of made me cringe a bit.
8. The Kitchen Assistant – This is a definite gift for our chef Jean. It’s this thing that looks like a long-legged spider that you sit down in the pot and then turn it on. It constantly stirs the contents of the pot for you. It seemed like a good idea until I started thinking about it crawling out of the pot and creating havoc all over the stove, pushing and turning over other pots.
9. A Vertical Turntable – Touted as a space-saving device, this is a turntable which you mount on the wall. I stared at it for a long time trying to figure out how they kept the record (yes vinyl record) on it. You see the record is on the turntable parallel to the wall, just hanging there. Amazed me and it amazed me that someone will probably buy it.
10. The Bacon Rug – It is actually a floor rug that looks like a strip of uncooked bacon. Really? Trychanosis any one?
11. The World’s Smallest Camera – It is this tiny digital camera about the size of the tip of my finger. I wondered how you pushed the button to take the picture without smashing the whole thing. And who would want this? Does it make the world’s tiniest photos?
12. The Beard Cap – It’s a toboggan (sock hat) with a crocheted beard and mustache attached that covers your face. Really looked creepy.
13. Pickle Bandaids – Bandaids with pickles all over them. They also have bacon ones.
14. Champion, the Storefront Horse – Named after Gene Autry’s horse Champion (but it’s yellow and everyone knows that Champion was a gray roan don’t they?), it is one of those electric horses that sit in front of the grocery store for kids to put a quarter in and ride. I wanted this with all the child-like enthusiasm a horse-nut could muster until I saw the price tag - $6,500.00. That’s a lot of quarters.
15. Tattoo Sleeves – The ad actually said it was for the person who didn’t want to sit through being poked with needles. These are tight coverings that are sheer and go up your arm. They are covered in different types of tattoo art. Why???


There were a lot more but I am sure you are now getting the drift of the crazy things out there. My favorite was a t-shirt that said “Even if it’s crap, just get it on the page.” Have you seen any unusual gifts for the Season? Tell us about them.

Cutting Corners to Happiness

Cutting corners definitely saves time and saving time keeps Jane sane, especially during the holidays.

During the holidays, it's easy to become stressed by to-do lists and shopping trips, not to mention wrapping gifts and decorating for company. There is shopping to get done, Christmas cards to write, parties to plan or attend, and the list goes on. Getting by is not how I want to proceed with my holidays. I would much rather be celebrating and enjoying every minute, but as the years have passed and my schedule grew to demand it, I learned to cut corners in order to survive.

This is my confession. The confession of a Martha Stewart wannabe. (Pirate!)

Yes! You can create wonderful holiday experiences with less. (Another reason why I like Sara Lee!) All your recipes don't need to be made from scratch. Your decorations don't need to be handmade. Gifts can be simple or extravagant, whatever your budget will allow. There is a shortcut for everyone. The trick is to find one that works for you.

I used to make all my Christmas gifts, but quickly ran out of time as my kids got older. I make cookies for all my neighbors to this day and deliver them on Christmas Eve. Doubling recipes helps me get platefuls of cookies, fudge and chocolate-covered pretzels. The most time-consuming thing on my list- Gingerbread Men. (But it is the one thing my neighbors look forward to.)

Here are some things I've learned to cut corners on:

1. Peanut Butter Hershey's Kiss cookies can be made quickly and easily using store bought Peanut Butter Cookie dough. Simply dump dough into a bowl, pick off a piece, roll dough into a ball, dip in sugar, fill cookie sheet with same. Cook. Immediately when the cookies come out of the oven, insert Hershey's Kiss into the center of each cookie. Let cool undisturbed. (I often put a batch in the freezer for a bit to help the chocolate set faster.) Voila!

2. Sugar Cookie dough can be store bought. Roll out dough, shape or cut into shapes, decorate with sprinkles or paint (if painting, mix egg yoke with food coloring to achieve exact color needed for paint. With small brush, brush paint onto cookies, then sprinkle with plain sugar for crystalized affect). Once baked, the painted cookies will resemble stained glass. Definitely a hit with my young bunch and safe to eat too!

3. Use store bought pie crust. (Though I always make my own because I still suffer from Martha Stewart mania.)

4. To make pull-apart Monkey Bread for breakfast, use plain Pillsbury biscuit or crescent roll dough, roll into balls, roll balls into cinnamon sugar, place in greased angel food or bundt pan, and bake when all balls have been added, one on top of the other. Makes a yummy breakfast treat!

5. When having company over, use candlelight. Candlelight masks any signs of dust or dirt in the room.

6. For a quick room freshening trick, spray room freshener on any artificial plants or arrangements in the house. The scent sticks and permeates throughout the room, keeping the air fresh and clean while your guests are in the house.

Do you have any helpful tips for keeping your holiday stress free?

I Get By With a Little Help

You probably think I am about to get all sappy about how my friends give me strength, my husband always has my back, and my faith sees me through. Wrong. Well, not really wrong. All that is true, but I am in no mood to preach today. You are probably in no mood to hear it, so that works out.

No. What I am talking about today are some little concrete things that I can buy at the store. Cheap. These are things that I rely on make my life better and they work 100 per cent of the time. That's a comfort—especially in a world where Christmas is peeping over my shoulder and I am not done decorating or shopping.

Neosporin. I am the clumsy sort. I cut and burn myself. Cats scratch me. I run into things and break the skin. My little friend in the tube has never failed me. A little dab and most of the time, my owie isn't even sore the next day.

Swiffer Wet Jet. This product changed my life. Really. I like a clean floor but hate a bucket. Also, there was that nasty wringing out of the mop. No more. This little baby (or perhaps I should say babies, since I have one on each story of my house) is always there for me.

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. I've used this every day of my life since I got a job after college and could pay for it myself. Technically, I guess I don't pay for it myself anymore. The Guy pays for it, but I mop the floor (see above) so I think I earn my keep.

Burt's Bees Lip Balm. It is the best. Chapped lips feel better immediately. I do love some instant gratification.

Dawn. Not only does it cut the grease on dishes, I use it pretreat stains on clothes. Also, it comes in a pretty apple green. It isn't mandatory that that I have dish detergent to please my aesthetic senses, but why not take joy where you can find it? Except not Joy, in the bottle. Dawn in the bottle.

What little things do you depend on to make life easier?

Breakfast Treats

I love a houseful of company. I love it even better when they stay overnight. When I have overnight guests I have a rule: "Sleep as late as you like. Breakfast will be on the warming tray when you come downstairs." I have a whole arsenal of breakfast recipes that lead to sitting around in pajamas half the day. And what's better on a cold morning? Good company, flannel, and pot after pot of coffee.
These are a few things I make for company breakfast. I didn't say they were good for you--just good. And it is the holidays.

Lemon Poppy Seed Pancakes

• · 2 cups flour
• · ½ cup sugar
• · 2 ½ teaspoons baking powder
• · ¾ teaspoon baking soda
• · ½ teaspoon salt
• · 1 ½ cups sour cream
• · 1 cup whole milk
• · ½ cup lemon juice
• · 1 stick melted butter
• · 2 large eggs
• · 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla extract
• · Grated zest of two lemons
• · 1/3 cup poppy seeds

In a large bowl sift together first 5 ingredients.

In another bowl whisk together remaining ingredients until well combined.

Pour wet ingredients over dry. Stir until just combined.

Cook over medium heat until bubbles appear. Flip. Serve with syrup and blueberries.

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Maple Scones

• 3 1/2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 1 cup (3 1/2 ounces, about 3/4 cup walnut halves) finely chopped walnuts*
• 4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup vegetable shortening (or unsalted butter, or a combination)
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup maple syrup, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring

*The walnuts are tastier if you toast them before chopping. Place walnut pieces in a single layer in a flat pan and toast them in a preheated 350°F oven for 7 to 9 minutes, or until they smell "toasty" and are beginning to brown.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, walnuts, baking powder and salt. Cut in the shortening and/or butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

In a separate bowl, combine the milk, 1/3 cup (3 3/4 ounces) of the maple syrup, and the maple flavoring. (You can leave out the maple flavoring if you wish, but it really adds a nice touch.) Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until you've formed a very soft dough.

Flour your work surface generously, and scrape the dough out of the mixing bowl onto the floured surface. Divide the dough in half.

Working with one half at a time, gently pat the dough into a 7-inch circle about 7/8-inch thick. Transfer the circle to a parchment-lined or lightly greased cookie sheet or other flat pan; it'll be very soft, and if you have a giant spatula, it's the tool of choice here. Repeat with the remaining half of the dough, placing it on a separate pan.

Using a sharp bench knife or rolling pizza wheel, divide each dough circle into eight wedges. Gently separate the wedges so that they're almost touching in the center, but are spaced about an inch apart at the edges. Pierce the tops of the scones with the tines of a fork, and brush them with some of the remaining maple syrup.

Bake the scones in a preheated 425°F oven for 15 to 18 minutes, or until they're golden brown. Remove them from the oven, and brush them with any remaining maple syrup. Wait a couple of minutes, then gently separate the scones with a knife (they'll be very fragile), and carefully transfer them to a cooling rack. Serve warm or at room temperature, with jam or maple butter (or even better, maple cream, an amber-colored, spreadable version of maple syrup, available at just about any New England shop selling native maple syrup). Yield: 16 large scones.

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Magic French Toast

• 1 stick of butter
• 1-cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons corn syrup
• ½ teaspoon maple flavoring
• 1 8 inch Challah loaf (or any rich sweet bread; I use Hawaiian bread)
• 1.5 cups half and half
• 1-teaspoon vanilla
• 1 teaspoon Amaretto (optional)
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 5 eggs, beaten

Melt butter, brown sugar, syrup, and maple flavoring in a 9X13 inch pan.

Cut bread in smallish cubes—about 1.5-2 inches. Place in pan. It is going to look like a lot.

Mix half and half, vanilla, salt, and eggs. Pour over bread. Refrigerate over night. It will soak up and look smaller in the morning.

Set out of refrigerator while oven preheats to 350 degrees.

Bake 35 to 40 minutes.

With fruit and sausage, serves 12 adults or one teenage boy.

Holiday Stress

Well, after hosting our friends as guest bloggers for most of November I am back.  I hope every one had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.  It was great to have some time off to spend with family and friends! 

I had already planned this blog topic before I read Kathy's blog on Wednesday, but the topics seem to have been designed together.  In the words of Boss Hogg, "I love it when a plan comes together!" 

As I mentioned already, I enjoyed spending time this past weekend with family and friends but those fun times can also be very stressful.  Already my calendar is filling up with committments during the month of December. For many of them I will need to shop for a present to take and make a dish of food to share.  Of course, the parties will be a lot of fun and it will be wonderful to see everyone during the holidays but even good fun things can add stress to our lives.  I love to bake and decorate my home but today I find myself twitching at the thought of needing to get my greenery up this weekend while it is still green.  So even though I enjoy both the process and then end results of decorating, I am struggling a bit with actually getting it done.  Of course, it is early days yet but I just know that the closer I get to Christmas the busier life will become.

One way that I have coped with holiday stress the last few years is to take a day off during December.  My church has a ladies luncheon on a Monday early in December and I have taken the day off to go and enjoy that.  I began this personal holiday tradition one year when I needed to assist with the luncheon but it was so nice to have a day off that I continued to take off to just attend the luncheon.  It is nice to be able to sleep in a little and know that I have a day to put a little bit more merry into my Christmas.

What are some ways you cope with holiday stress?