Innholdsfortegnelse for Christmas Cooking 2008 i Taste of the South

Have yourself a merry little Christmas! The wonderful aroma of Christmas emanates from our kitchen in the same way that seasonal music fills the air in malls across the nation at this time of year. You know the scent—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves mingled with the delicious smell of apples and citrus. And don’t forget the chocolate! There’s also the smell of fresh-baked cookies, cakes, and pies. Sure, we Southerners bake and cook yearround; but at Christmas, we go all out—our Southern traditions just seem to demand it. Because we can quickly become overwhelmed by those demands during what should be an otherwise peaceful, joyful season, the Taste of the South staff and a few of our friends have been hard at work designing menus for this special collector’s issue to…

School concerts, choir practice, last-minute shopping—your family’s always on the go in the days leading up to Christmas. But with a little planning, you can still sit down for a meal together. Here’s an easy menu that you can assemble ahead of time. After all, the best part of Christmas is being with the ones you love. slow-cooker chicken and cornbread dressing Yield: 6 to 8 servings Preparation: 45 minutes Cook: 3 to 5 hours 1 rotisserie chicken, meat pulled from bone 1 recipe Cornbread, crumbled (Recipe follows.) 8 slices day-old bread, torn 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 yellow onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, chopped 4 tablespoons chopped fresh sage 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme 1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 teaspoon ground black pepper 4 eggs, lightly beaten 2 (14-ounce)…

mississippi mud cheesecake Yield: 1 (101⁄2-inch) cheesecake Preparation: 40 minutes Bake: approximately 2 hours Stand: 4 hours Cool: 1 hour Chill: 8 hours Crust: 2 cups graham-cracker crumbs 1⁄2 cup finely chopped pecans 3 tablespoons sugar 1⁄2 cup butter, melted 2 egg whites, lightly beaten Brownie layer: 8 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped 7 tablespoons butter 1⁄4 cup sugar 2 eggs 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract Filling: 1 (12-ounce) package semisweet chocolate morsels 1⁄2 cup butter 1 tablespoon natural unsweetened cocoa powder 4 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened 2 cups sugar 4 eggs 1 (16-ounce) container sour cream 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Icing: 6 (1-ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, chopped 1⁄2 cup heavy cream 1⁄4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon corn syrup 1 cup miniature marshmallows 1⁄2 cup chopped…

chocolate peanut-butter cake Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake Preparation: 20 minutes Bake: 25 minutes Cool: 2 hours 1⁄2 cup butter, softened 3⁄4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 1⁄2 cup sugar 1⁄2 cup creamy peanut butter 4 eggs, separated 2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 cup milk 1 recipe Creamy Chocolate Icing (Recipe follows.) Garnish: chopped miniature chocolate-covered peanutbutter cups IN A LARGE BOWL, beat butter and sugars at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add peanut butter, beating until combined. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Add to butter mixture alternately with milk, beginning and ending with flour mixture. IN ANOTHER LARGE BOWL, beat egg whites at…

lime-nut buttons Yield: 6 dozen Preparation: 15 minutes Refrigerate: 2 hours Bake: 12 minutes Cool: 25 minutes 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 11⁄2 cups confectioners’ sugar, divided 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 21⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 1⁄2 teaspoon salt 3⁄4 cup chopped almonds, toasted 1⁄2 cup chopped almonds 2 tablespoons fresh lime zest IN A LARGE MIXING BOWL, beat butter, 3⁄4 cup confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, sift together flour and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until combined. Fold in all almonds and lime zest. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. PREHEAT oven to 350°. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper; set aside. USING A TEASPOON-SIZE SPRINGLOADED SCOOP, drop…

Retailers call it Black Friday, 24 hours that can make or break their holiday sales. But for you and your friends, it’s the day after Thankgiving and the perfect time to get a jump-start on your holiday shopping. This year, after the “doorbusters” and “early-bird specials” are over, why not invite everyone back to your house for a late-morning brunch? Gingerbread Muffins can be made ahead and frozen for up to 1 month. Let them thaw, then warm muffins in the oven before serving. gingerbread muffins Yield: 22 muffins Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 20 minutes 1⁄2 cup butter, softened 1⁄4 cup sugar 1⁄4 cup firmly packed brown sugar 2 eggs 3⁄4 cup molasses 21⁄2 cups all-purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground ginger 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1…

MENU Christmas wassail malted mocha cocoa ? whipped marshmallow crème ? cranberry-orange delights ? pistachio-oat sandies ? peanut-butter and toffee fudge ? shrimp dip in celery boats ? creamy chicken dip with spiced pecans ? star pita chips preparation timeline 1 WEEK BEFORE: Combine dry ingredients for Malted Mocha Cocoa. Store in airtight container. UP TO 3 DAYS BEFORE: Make Peanut-Butter and Toffee Fudge, Cranberry-Orange Delights, and Pistachio-Oat Sandies; store in airtight containers. 1 DAY BEFORE: Assemble filling for Shrimp Dip in Celery Boats; cover and refrigerate. Wash, peel, and cut celery; place in resealable plastic bag and refrigerate. Make Creamy Chicken Dip with Spiced Pecans; refrigerate until 30 minutes before serving. Make Star Pita Chips. 1 HOUR BEFORE: Make Christmas Wassail. Keep warm. Heat water and vanilla for Malted…

lady baltimore cake Yield: 1 (9-inch) cake Preparation: 25 minutes Bake: 22 minutes Cool: 2 hours 1 cup butter, softened 2 cups sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄2 teaspoon almond extract 3 cups cake flour 3 teaspoons baking powder 1⁄4 teaspoon salt 1 cup whole buttermilk 5 egg whites, beaten until stiff 3⁄4 cup chopped dried cranberries 3⁄4 cup chopped golden raisins 1⁄2 cup chopped dried figs 1⁄2 cup chopped pecans 2 tablespoons orange-flavored liqueur, such as Grand Marnier 1 recipe Fluffy Meringue Icing, divided (Recipe follows.) Garnish: dried cranberries and golden raisins tossed in sugar PREHEAT oven to 350°. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round cake pans. IN A LARGE BOWL, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. Beat in vanilla and almond…

berry chocolate cupcakes Yield: 12 cupcakes Preparation: 15 minutes Bake: 20 to 25 minutes Cool: 30 minutes 3⁄4 cup sugar 1⁄4 cup vegetable oil 1 egg 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup all-purpose flour 1⁄3 cup natural unsweetened cocoa powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1⁄8 teaspoon salt 2⁄3 cup buttermilk 1⁄4 cup raspberry baking chips 1 recipe Berry Nutty Chocolate Icing (Recipe follows.) PREHEAT oven to 350°. Line a 12-cup muffin pan with paper liners; set aside. IN A MIXING BOWL, beat sugar, oil, egg, and vanilla at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. IN ANOTHER BOWL, sift together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. REDUCE mixer speed to low and add dry ingredients alternately with buttermilk to oil mixture. EVENLY DIVIDE two-thirds of batter among cups of…

double apple-cranberry pie Yield: 1 (9-inch) deep-dish pie Preparation: 20 minutes Bake: 35 minutes Cool: 1 hour 3 large Granny Smith apples (approximately 13⁄4 pounds),peeled, cored, and sliced 3 large Braeburn apples (approximately 13⁄4 pounds),peeled, cored, and sliced 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1⁄2 cup plus 2 teaspoons sugar,divided 1⁄2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1⁄4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces 1 (15-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts (2 sheets) 1 egg yolk, lightly beaten PREHEAT oven to 425°. IN A LARGE BOWL, combine apples, cranberries, and lemon juice. IN A SMALL BOWL, combine ½ cup sugar, brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Pour over apples, tossing gently. Set aside. LINE a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate…

santa’s milk Yield: approximately 2 quarts Preparation: 5 minutes Cook: 15 minutes 8 cups milk 1 cup sugar 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon vanilla extract IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN, bring all ingredients to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and serve immediately FOR FROTHED MILK, place mixture in a blender and pulse briefly, if desired. peppermint whitechocolate cocoa Yield: approximately 2 quarts Preparation: 10 minutes Cook: 10 minutes 4 cups half-and-half 8 (1-ounce) squares white baking chocolate, chopped 1 cup crushed peppermint candies (approximately 30 candies) 1 cup peppermint baking chips 1 cup heavy cream 1⁄4 cup confectioners’ sugar Garnish: whipped cream and peppermint sticks IN A LARGE SAUCEPAN, bring halfand- half to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to…

CREDITS RECIPE DEVELOPMENT Aimee Bishop: “2 Trifles Sweet,” pages 54–57; Raisin Muffins, page 47. Mallory Cortez: “9 Cobblers Bubbling,” pages 100–107; Coconut Bread Pudding, page 99; Chocolate-Toffee Pudding, page 94; Cranberry-Orange Bread Pudding, page 96; Key-Lime Rice Pudding, page 99; “O, Christmas Tree!” pages 16–23; Sweet-Potato Bread Pudding, page 94. Chantel Lambeth: “3 Cheesecakes,” pages 58–61. Marion Searcy: Old-Fashioned Pound Cake, page 73. Rebecca Touliatos: “6 Cakes with Icing,” pages 74–81; Banana-Coconut Pound Cake, page 71; “Black Friday Brunch,” pages 10–15; Chocolate Cream-Cheese Braids, page 48; Chocolate Cream-Cheese Filling, page 48; Citrus Pound Cake, page 72; Cream-Cheese Cherry-Vanilla Pound Cake, page 71; Italian Egg Casserole, page 49; Lady Baltimore Cake, cover and pages 52–53; Maple-Praline Sauce, page 47; “On Christmas Eve,” pages 38–43; Sausage-Stuffed French Toast, page 47; Shrimp-and-Grits Casserole,…

MENU apple cups with maple-toffee sauce ? caribbean-style smoked sausages ? peanut-butter cookie truffles ? warm chicken-salad wreath ? santa fe cheesecake ? macaroni-and-cheese balls ? mocha mix Don’t let anyone fool you—trimming a Christmas tree is hard work! Once your family has searched the Christmas-tree lot for the perfect tree, retrieved the decorations from the attic, and untangled the lights, they’re sure to be hungry. So treat them to a buffet of yummy holiday treats. Placing the star atop the tree can wait until after you eat. apple cups Yield: 12 servings Preparation: 30 minutes Cook: 20 minutes Bake: 15 minutes Cool: 20 minutes 1 cup butter 8 medium Braeburn apples, cored and diced 1 cup sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1⁄2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1⁄4 teaspoon ground cloves…

MENU stuffed beef tenderloin broccoli and cauliflower au gratin nutty green beans favorite mashed potatoes minty orange salad preparation timeline UP TO 3 DAYS BEFORE: Check pantry and refrigerator; shop for groceries. 1 DAY BEFORE: Blanch green beans for Nutty Green Beans; refrigerate. Make salad dressing; refrigerate. ON CHRISTMAS EVE DAY: Assemble Stuffed Beef Tenderloin. 2 HOURS BEFORE SERVING: Assemble Broccoli and Cauliflower Au Gratin. Wash and cut fruit and vegetables for Minty Orange Salad. 11/2 HOURS BEFORE SERVING: Roast Stuffed Beef Tenderloin. Make Favorite Mashed Potatoes. 30 MINUTES BEFORE SERVING: Assemble Minty Orange Salad. Finish Nutty Green Beans. For step-by-step pictures of how to butterfly a tenderloin, log on to www.tasteofthesouthmagazine.com/holidays. stuffed beef tenderloin Yield: 8 to 10 servings Preparation: 30 minutes Cook: 55 minutes Stand: 10 minutes 3…

ambrosia trifle Yield: 12 servings Preparation: 30 minutes Chill: 30 minutes 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened 1 (3.4-ounce) box instant vanilla pudding mix 11⁄2 cups heavy whipping cream 1 cup sour cream 1 teaspoon coconut extract 1 cup confectioners’ sugar 1 cup toasted coconut 3 cups sectioned oranges, well drained 1 (20-ounce) can pineapple tidbits, well drained 3⁄4 cup orange marmalade, melted and slightly cooled 3⁄4 cup pineapple preserves, melted and slightly cooled 1 angel-food cake, cut into 1-inch cubes Garnish: additional toasted coconut and orange sections IN A MEDIUM BOWL, beat cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Add pudding mix, cream, sour cream, and coconut extract, beating until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and toasted coconut, beating at low speed until combined. COVER and…

eggnog crème brulée Yield: 6 servings Preparation: 10 minutes Cook: approximately 20 minutes Bake: 1 hour 7 minutes Chill: 8 hours 2 cups heavy whipping cream 1⁄2 cup sugar plus 1 tablespoon, divided 1⁄4 cup brandy 1⁄2 vanilla bean, split and scraped* 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 teaspoon rum extract 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1⁄8 teaspoon salt 1⁄4 teaspoon cinnamon 6 egg yolks PREHEAT oven to 250°. IN A MEDIUM SAUCEPAN, combine cream, 1⁄2 cup sugar, brandy, scraped vanilla seeds, nutmeg, rum extract, vanilla extract, salt, and cinnamon. Cook over medium-low heat until bubbles form around the edges of the pan. Remove from heat and set aside. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, whisk egg yolks until just combined. Gradually whisk one-fourth of hot cream mixture into beaten egg yolks. Whisk egg…