Innholdsfortegnelse for December 2013 i Taste of Home

Make Homemade Memories There’s no time like the holidays to gather around the food! A FEW MONTHS AGO, WE ASKED YOU TO SHARE YOUR FAVORITE WINTER FOOD MEMORIES ON FACEBOOK. THEY WERE DELIGHTFUL (AND SOMETIMES HILARIOUS, TOO). Reader Julie Hershkowitz of St. George, Utah, told about a “snowball fight” she had as a kid with her mom, brothers and cookie dough—what a huge, fun mess. Cooks who care, like Michelle “Momma D” Dentremont in Port Hueneme, California, and Michelle Pippen of Hohenfels, Germany, told of delivering yummy baked goods all over their communities. In other Taste of Home families, Christmas breakfast is a big deal. The recipes you share are magical. Easy Eggs Benedict Casserole, Golden Danish Twists, Black Forest Waffles—yum! It doesn’t matter if you sit down to your…

There are a lot of people who are sweet on 32-year-old baker Joy Wilson. She has published a popular cookbook (with a second out this fall) and has been lauded by the Times of London for her blog joythebaker.com, named one of the top 50 food blogs in the world. For Taste of Home readers, Joy shares some baking secrets, like her special ingredient for banana bread. We noticed you use browned butter often. In cookies. Cakes. Doughnuts. Pancakes. Bread. What’s your favorite way to sneak browned butter into a recipe? Browning butter really does make butter better. I love adding it to doughnuts. And to quick bread recipes like banana bread with spices and walnuts. The browned butter adds extra richness and melds perfectly with the hearty walnuts and…

Grab a stack of graham crackers and a bowl of frosting (the kind from a can works like a charm). Four Field Editors share their behind-the-scenes secrets for a cheery little gingerbread house that’s a cinch to make. Christmas Graham Houses Bring some holiday spirit to your home with these cute creations. They’re so easy to build and decorate, even little elves can join in the fun. —TASTE OF HOME TEST KITCHEN GREENDALE, WI PREP: 40 MIN. + STANDING MAKES: 4 HOUSES (2 TALL AND 2 SHORT) 19 whole graham crackers, divided 1 can (16 oz.) vanilla frosting 2 cups confectioners’ sugar Assorted candies and cookies 1. Using a serrated knife, cut 10 crackers in half to make 20 squares. Cut four of the squares diagonally in half to make…

Slow-cook your way to no-fuss feasts that are everyday easy. And straight from kitchens like yours. EAT SMART SLOW COOKER Slow-Roasted Chicken with Vegetables This recipe couldn’t be simpler. A few minutes of preparation and you’ll come home to a delicious dinner. Even a beginner cook could make this and it would turn out perfectly. —ANITA BELL HERMITAGE, TN PREP: 15 MIN. COOK: 6 HOURS + STANDING MAKES: 6 SERVINGS 2 medium carrots, halved lengthwise and cut into 3-in. pieces 2 celery ribs, halved lengthwise and cut into 3-in. pieces 8 small red potatoes, quartered 3/4. tsp. salt, divided 1/8. tsp. pepper 1 medium lemon, halved 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 broiler/fryer chicken (3 to 4 lbs.) 1 Tbsp. dried rosemary, crushed 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 Tbsp. olive oil…

Makin’ Bacon Readers are crazy for the latest in holiday wrapping—the edible kind, that is. Check out 10 new ways to make anything better. The only paper you need? Napkins. 1 Dried apricots wrapped in bacon, baked at 350° for about half an hour (turn after 20 minutes). Meanwhile, make a dipping sauce from one jar plum jam and soy sauce to taste. Stir over medium-low heat till melted. —MARY ALBARINO CORNWALL, NY 2 Marinated bites of venison or chicken tenderloins wrapped in bacon, cooked on the grill! —JERI HUNT MIDLAND, MI 3 Stuff a whole jalapeno with cream cheese and a Lit’l Smokies link, then wrap in thick-cut bacon and grill. —WENDY MATHIS TAYLOR EULESS, TX 4 I make a yummy meatloaf wrapped in bacon, but you can use…

“For every family gathering, everyone always asks me to bring my pastitsio. Even though my version is a bit lighter than my mother’s, the family loves it just the same.” —NIKKI TSANGARIS Nikki’s Perfect Pastitsio My mother used to work so hard in the kitchen to make this classic Greek dish, and the results were always well worth her effort. My recipe for pastitsio is easier but is every bit as great as Mom’s. —NIKKI TSANGARIS WESTFIELD, IN PREP: 45 MIN. • BAKE: 50 MIN. MAKES: 12 SERVINGS 2 1/2 cups uncooked penne pasta 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 1/2 lbs. ground sirloin 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1…

The Pie Piper Q: Anna, we can’t get enough of your pie! How’d you know you had a winning recipe? A: This pie came about when I was creating contest recipes for the State Fair of Texas. First, I took it to my co-workers at Children’s Medical Center in Dallas—they’ve done lots of taste-testing for me. In a high-stress area like that, something small like a cookie (or pie, or cake) can go a long way to brighten someone’s day. This pie got thumbs-up because it’s like an intense German chocolate cake. Christmas Cookies Dough unto others this holiday season and send us your best cookie recipes. Whether sprinkled, iced or shaped, these treats are easy and fun and look great piled on a plate for Santa. Share your recipe…

1 Create a bow with AirHeads Xtremes Sour Belts. Add a gumdrop. Attach all with a dab or two of canned frosting. 2 Get this old-fashioned ribbon candy look with AirHeads Xtremes Rainbow Berry Sour Belts and a gumdrop. 3 Make a snowman face with gumdrop slices. For the base of the top hat, cut a sliver from a large gumdrop and flatten. 4 Your island of misfit (and broken) candy canes gets a new life. Roll popcorn balls in crushed candies before they set. “Dawson, 5, always asks to be a ‘cooker.’ He even asked for an apron for Christmas.”—KELLY CHURCH JONESBORO, AR “My daughter Lydia, 4, loves cooking. She flips through Taste of Home and points out what she wants to make together.”—AMANDA WEST SHREVEPORT, LA “Elizabeth, 7,…

Hundreds of volunteers from nearly every state—and Canada—belong to the big, happy Taste of Home Field Editor family! They share cooking trends, recipes, reviews and tips from their kitchens, neighborhoods and cities. Check the list for Field Editors near you, and watch this space for dishes and ideas from home cooks like you who love to cook and cook to love. ALABAMA Karen King Bessemer Lisa Allen Joppa ALASKA Cindi DeClue Anchorage Cari Molinaro Wasilla ARIZONA Lee Mason Gilbert Kellie Cook Mesa Karen Keefe Phoenix Sherri Jerzyk Tucson Linda Lambert Wittmann ARKANSAS Amy Sasser Dardanelle Jeannie Mullen Farmington CALIFORNIA Mandy Ramirez Beaumont Marina Castle Canyon Country Kallee Krong-McCreery Escondido Jenn Tidwell Fair Oaks Tina Fox Lake Arrowhead Marilyn Henley Newport Beach Paul Williams Redding Holly Camozzi Rohnert Park Nancy Smith…

Tweet Treats Give your backyard buddies a wing up this winter. Trim the trees outside with these easy homemade birdseed ornaments. FLIT OVER TO THE NEXT PAGE FOR a simple how-to 1. Go loopy Tie ends of each ribbon section together to form four loops for hanging. You’ll need these later. 2. Stir away Mix gelatin with ½ cup boiling water. Stir well to dissolve, then add to birdseed, continuing to stir well. If mixture is watery, add more seed until it’s stiff but sticky. FOOD ON THE FLY Birdseed Ornaments Deck out your yard—and wait for chirps of joy. What You Need • 4 ft. of 1/4-in.-wide ribbon, cut into 12-in.-long sections • 1/2. oz. unflavored gelatin powder (or 2 envelopes of Knox) • 11/2. cups birdseed • B…

Follow the lead of these big-hearted readers who know that feeding hungry stomachs—and spirits—is a goodwill gift that fits anyone. My husband is a Navy Seabee, and his guys know that our house is always good for a meal. The Seabees especially love the homemade cookies I send when they’re field training. Some of these young men are far from home for the first time in their lives, so having people they can count on for company and home cooking means a lot. —MICHELLE “MOMMA D” DENTREMONT PORT HUENEME, CA One of my favorite ways to give back is to bake Christmas cookies for the local soup kitchen. Last year, when we lived in Fort Benning, Georgia, I made eight varieties, including decorated sugar cookies and pinwheels. I package them…

Make magic with treats from your pantry. “Anna’s Ginger Thins with scalloped edges make great shingles. Use a serrated knife to gently saw the cookies in half. Then attach them to the roof with frosting. You can also turn Pirouette cookies into stacks of firewood. Simply cut the cookies into six 2-in. pieces and stick them together with frosting.” —KANDY AMERSON “I’ve discovered that a small can of tomato paste placed inside the house is a sturdy support for the walls as the frosting dries.” —KELLY KIRBY “Every gingerbread house needs a snowman. Stick three miniature marshmallows together with vanilla frosting, then use the frosting to glue a chocolate chip on top for a hat and jumbo nonpareils for eyes, a nose and buttons. Poke chow mein noodles in for…

All it takes are a few simple switcheroos to keep gluten-sensitive family and friends healthy and happy this season. Gluten-Free Spritz Delights My daughter has Down syndrome and loves hosting parties, especially on holidays. Cookies always took center stage until she was diagnosed with celiac disease. I decided then to take on gluten-free baking, and these are the best yet. —CHERYL COSTILOW AMHERST, OH PREP: 25 MIN. BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING MAKES: 81/2. DOZEN 1 cup butter, softened 1/2. cup sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. almond extract 21/4. cups gluten-free all-purpose baking flour 11/2. tsp. xanthan gum 1/2. tsp. salt 3/4. cup gluten-free vanilla frosting Food coloring, optional Gluten-free sprinkles 1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in…

Salt-Encrusted Prime Rib Restaurants have nothing on this recipe. For a true meat lover, it’s very easy, and the results are beyond belief. —ROGER BOWLDS BAKERSFIELD, CA PREP: 15 MIN. BAKE: 2 1/4 HOURS + STANDING MAKES: 10 SERVINGS 1 box (3 lbs.) kosher salt (about 6 cups), divided 1 bone-in beef rib roast (6 to 8 lbs.) 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 2 Tbsp. cracked black pepper 2 tsp. garlic powder 1/2 cup water 1. Preheat oven to 450°. Line a shallow roasting pan with heavyduty foil. Place 3 cups salt on foil, spreading to form a ½-in. layer. 2. Brush roast with Worcestershire sauce; sprinkle with pepper and garlic powder. Place roast on layer of salt, fat side up. In a small bowl, mix water and remaining salt (mixture…

Gingerbread People These soft, chewy cookies are among my grandchildren’s favorites. The kids love to help me decorate them. —JOAN TRUAX PITTSBORO, IN PREP: 45 MIN. + CHILLING BAKE: 10 MIN./BATCH + COOLING MAKES: 21/2. DOZEN 6 Tbsp. butter, softened 3/4. cup packed dark brown sugar 1/2. cup molasses 1 egg 2 tsp. vanilla extract 1 tsp. grated lemon peel 3 cups all-purpose flour 3 tsp. ground ginger 11/2. tsp. baking powder 11/4. tsp. ground cinnamon 3/4. tsp. baking soda 1/4. tsp. salt 1/4. tsp. ground cloves Royal Icing (recipe below) and assorted candies, optional 1. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in molasses, egg, vanilla and lemon peel. In another bowl, whisk flour, ginger, baking powder, cinnamon, baking soda, salt and…

WHAT’S ON YOUR SUNDAY DINNER TABLE? Share a favorite meal at tasteofhome.com/submit. Just click the Sunday Dinner link to tell your story. Ginger Butternut Squash Bisque This soup is filling enough for my husband, and it’s vegetarian, which I love. The couple who introduced us made it for us on a freezing night and we’ve been hooked ever since. PREP: 25 MIN. • BAKE: 40 MIN. + COOLING MAKES: 6 SERVINGS 1 medium butternut squash (about 3 lbs.) 1 Tbsp. olive oil 2 medium carrots, finely chopped 1 medium onion, chopped 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp. minced fresh gingerroot 2 tsp. curry powder 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) vegetable broth 1 can (13.66 oz.) coconut milk 1 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. pepper 2 cups hot cooked brown rice 1/4…

Thyme-Roasted Vegetables The smell of our house while this is baking calls everyone to dinner. Normally, it serves 10, but my husband has been known to have several servings at a time. It’s that good. PREP: 25 MIN. BAKE: 45 MIN. MAKES: 10 SERVINGS (3/4 CUP EACH) 2 lbs. red potatoes, cubed (about 9 cups) 3 cups sliced sweet onions (about 11/2. large) 3 medium carrots, sliced 1/2. lb. medium fresh mushrooms, halved 1 large sweet red pepper, cut into 11/2.-in. pieces 1 large sweet yellow pepper, cut into 11/2.-in. pieces 2 Tbsp. butter, melted 2 Tbsp. olive oil 1 Tbsp. minced fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried thyme 1 tsp. salt 1/4. tsp. pepper 1. Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine vegetables. Add remaining ingredients; toss…

Share your own recipe creations today at tasteofhome.com/submit. You could be in Taste of Home! We’re looking for your recipes in these categories: RED & WHITE GOODIES Take your inspiration from St. Nick’s suit when you send your top Christmastime treats. Think cranberry-cream pie, coconut cheesecake, pomegranate jelly roll, candy cane shortbread, cherry-almond fruitcake—if it’s red, white or both, your baked dessert’s fair game. HAPPY HOLIDAY APPETIZERS It’s party season. Share your best finger foods, like feta-apricot tartlets, pumpkin soup shooters, cheese-stuffed meatballs and other warm starters. Or tell us what keeps guests circling back for more—caramelized onion dip, mango-curry cheese log, spicy crab crostini or other cool-as-the-North-Pole bites. SPECIAL 5-INGREDIENT SIDES You’ve got the secret to smart holiday hosting: no-stress recipes. We want to make your apple-kale salad, honey-roasted…

Put these affordable and oh-so-thoughtful gifts on your holiday shopping list to make your special someone say, “Wow!” Santa’s (Kitchen) Helper Help your favorite home cook juggle the holiday feast with The Orange Chef’s dishwasher-safe iPad Stand. theorangechef.com $35 Toast the Hostess Tuck this new wine to share into a sack of presents. A tower of four disposable wineglasses from Stack wines equals one 750 ml bottle. drinkstack.com $13 A Christmas Cookie Brighten the face of any A Christmas Story fan with a leg-lamp cookie cutter—or a batch of leg-lamp cookies! neatoshop.com $6 Placemat Picasso Kids can draw their own comic strips or dream up a crocodile’s favorite foods on the paper placemats in this collection of nine kid-friendly designs. laurenceking.com $13 Chopstick Training Wheels The chopstick-newbies in your family…

March of the Penguins! Create your own colony (yup, that’s the real term) by using a large gumdrop for the body, a small gumdrop for the head, a sour rope for the scarf, and sliced-up jellybeans for the wings, feet and beak. Snip the ends of thin black licorice for the eyes. 1 SNO-GLO TREE Using short toothpicks, attach regular-size marshmallows and gumdrops—arranged to look like lights—to a foam topiary tree cone, available at most craft stores. 2 NO-MELT IGLOO CUPCAKE For the dome, place an unfrosted, unlined cupcake upside down on a serving plate. Cover with whipped topping and decorate with mini marshmallows. For the door, cut a marshmallow in half, then make a hole with an apple corer. 3 GOOD-ENOUGH-TO-EAT GARLAND String marshmallows of varying sizes and fresh…

A grocery list longer than the line to see Santa? Not this year! Give yourself the gift of time with 5-ingredient recipes ready quickly for company. FAST FIX Bacon-Wrapped Scallops with Pineapple Quinoa This is the first recipe I developed using quinoa as an ingredient. My husband thoroughly enjoyed helping me test the recipe. It’s a special dish that can be easily prepared in less than 30 minutes. —LAURA GREENBERG LAKE BALBOA, CA START TO FINISH: 30 MIN. •MAKES: 4 SERVINGS 1 can (14 1/2 oz.) vegetable broth 1 cup quinoa, rinsed 1/4. tsp. salt 1/8. tsp. plus 1/4. tsp. pepper, divided 10 bacon strips 16 sea scallops (about 2 lbs.), side muscles removed 1 cup drained canned pineapple tidbits 1. In a small saucepan, bring broth to a boil.…

Cue the chorus of oohs and aahs—your holiday snack spread is about to go down in history. Take it from the readers who shared them: These heap-your-plate appetizers keep everyone swooping back for seconds and thirds. Spicy Shrimp & Crab Cocktail I don’t usually like radishes, but I love them in this shrimp cocktail. Serve it straight up, with tortilla chips or on a bed of butter lettuce. Tip: Zing Zang Bloody Mary mix works just as well as spicy V8. Enjoy. —HEIDI KNAAK LIBERTY, MO PREP: 25 MIN. + CHILLING MAKES: 12 SERVINGS (1/3 CUP EACH) 2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded and chopped 8 radishes, halved and thinly sliced (about 2 cups) 2 cups spicy hot V8 juice 1 cup Clamato juice 1/2. cup finely chopped red onion 1/2.…

“My sons have huge appetites, and they love eggs Benedict. But eggs Benedict on Christmas morning with family underfoot, tossing wrapping paper? Luckily, we can pop this casserole in the oven and open presents in our pj’s.” —SANDIE HEINDEL Eggs Benedict Casserole This overnight breakfast bake is as special as traditional eggs Benedict but makes your morning easier. —SANDIE HEINDEL LIBERTY, MO PREP: 25 MIN. + CHILLING. BAKE: 45 MIN. MAKES: 12 SERVINGS (1 2/3 CUPS SAUCE) 12 oz. Canadian bacon, chopped 6 English muffins, split and cut into 1-in. pieces 8 eggs 2 cups 2% milk 1 tsp. onion powder 1/4 tsp. paprika HOLLANDAISE SAUCE 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream 2 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 1/2 cup butter, melted 1. Place half of…

Christmas Tree Brownies My son is 36 but acts as if he’s 5 when he sees these brownies—I’ve been making them for over 30 years! My daughter and four grandchildren love them, too. —JEANNINE SCHNEIDER FREMONT, CA PREP: 30 MIN. • BAKE: 25 MIN. + COOLING MAKES: 1 TREE, 2 WREATHS OR 24 REINDEER BROWNIES 3/4 cup butter, cubed 4 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped 3 eggs 2 cups sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1 can (16 oz.) vanilla frosting Green paste food coloring, optional assorted nonpareils 1. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a 13x9-in. baking pan with foil, letting ends extend up sides; grease foil. In a microwave, melt butter and chocolate; stir until smooth. Cool slightly. In a large bowl, beat eggs,…

FAST FIX Ornament Popcorn Balls These gooey-sweet treats are more fun for the family to make than the classic popcorn string. Tastier, too. —DEIRDRE COX KANSAS CITY, KS START TO FINISH: 30 MIN. MAKES: 1 DOZEN 10 cups popped popcorn 1 pkg. (10 oz.) large marshmallows 1/4 cup butter, cubed 1/4 tsp. salt optional decorations: candy canes, candy spearmint leaves and assorted gumdrops 1. Place popcorn in a large bowl. In a large saucepan, combine marshmallows, butter and salt. Cook and stir over medium-low heat until melted. Pour over popcorn; mix well. Cool slightly. 2. With greased hands, shape mixture into 12 popcorn balls, about ¾ cup each. Place on waxed paper. Decorate as desired; let stand until popcorn balls are set. PER SERVING 162 cal., 8 g fat (3…

My Christmas Fudge This virtually foolproof fudge is so creamy you won’t believe it. I searched for years and it’s the best recipe I’ve found. You can add just about anything you like to customize it. —BARBARA MILLER OAKDALE, MN PREP: 15 MIN. - COOK: 10 MIN. + COOLING MAKES: 53/4. LBS. (96 PIECES) 41/2. cups sugar 1 can (12 oz.) evaporated milk 1/2 cup butter, cubed 2 pkg. (111/2. oz. each) milk chocolate chips 41/2 cups miniature marshmallows 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped 3 cups chopped walnuts, toasted 2 tsp. vanilla extract 4 oz. white baking chocolate, melted 1. Line a 13x9-in. pan with foil; coat with cooking spray. 2. In a heavy Dutch oven, combine sugar, milk and butter. Bring to a rapid boil over medium heat, stirring…