Sugar Plum Treats

This simple treat - candy coated marshmallow on a stick - can be made for just about any holiday but I enjoy them most passed out to casts of Nutcracker productions! You will need:

• 14 oz. bag of candy melts (I like the Wilton brand and find it @ Michael's or Jo-Ann's)
• craft sticks or lollipop sticks
• 10 oz. bag of large marshmallows
• assorted decorating sprinkles, chopped nuts, flaked coconut, and candy
• aluminum foil
• non-stick spray

1. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and lightly spray it with non-stick spray.
2. Melt the candy according to package directions. Be careful not to over heat it - the color will be cloudy or have bubbles once it hardens.
3. Insert a craft or lollipop stick into each marshmallow, dip into the candy melt then into the decoration of choice. I have small bowls of different decorations all out at once and rotate each time I dip a marshmallow to give me a variety of different looking "Sugar Plums".
4. Place each marshmallow on the lined cookie sheet to harden up.
5. Once they're all decorated, chill in the freezer for 15 minutes.

You could wrap them individually in candy sucker bags tied with ribbon or stick into a Styrofoam dome. These treats could also make great place setting markers for your Christmas Dinner Table or a "Saint Nick-ed" (similar neighborhood "event" to being Boo'd - see Halloween posts) treat to pass out to neighbors. I have even seen these at cookie exchanges. I assure you will be asked to make these treats for other events too.

Food Network Cookie Recipes

Food Network is posting some amazing cookie recipes! So far I have whipped up Mexican Wedding Cookies, Candy Cane Meringues, Rugalach, Rum Balls, Oat Walnut Thins, and Parmesan Pepper Balls. Oh what fun it is to bake! Trying something different always puts me in a festive mood this time of year. Having something different at the cookie exchange is a personal goal for me. Most times I look for ethnic recipes to challenge myself. It makes good conversation at open houses or other holiday get togethers and with my kiddos too. Try something kookie for your cookies - I assure you it will make you feel great!

Leftovers and More Leftovers

Go to www.Allrecipes.com for some amazing Thanksgiving leftover recipes. You can even add your own! I have found some great turkey chili, soup, and other creative recipes that my family enjoys. It's tough when your eating the same thing every day this weekend but I assure you will feel great after putting together recipes from this site.

Easy Oreo Truffles

Happy Thanksgiving! Get that turkey in the oven!

Found this recipe @ http://www.fabulousfoods.com/ and I tried them out -they're FANTASTIC and SO easy! You will need:

• 1 package Oreo cookies
• 1 - 8 oz. package cream cheese
• 2 packages semi sweet chocolate chips

1. Grind up cookies in a food processor (I use my blender) until they're in fine crumbs.
2. Add cream cheese to the cookie crumbs and blend until combined.
3. Place the mixture in the freezer for 10 minutes.
4. Roll combined mixture into 1 - 1/2 inch balls and place on parchment-lined cookie sheet.
5. Put back into freezer (may be made 1 week ahead of time at this point).
6. Melt chocolate chips in microwave on low or double boiler.
7. Dip frozen balls into chocolate and put back on parchment.
8. Decorate with chopped nuts,sprinkles, coconut, Heath bar bits, or extra cookie crumbs before the chocolate dries.
9. Freeze until ready to serve.

The kids loved them, my in-laws loved them, the neighbors loved them. I assure you will have the same success as I.

Linda's Christmas Eve Soup

My dear friend Linda shared this recipe ages ago and I have added it to my holiday menus! This Sherried Wild Rice Soup is fantastic! You will need: 

• 2/3 C. raw wild rice
• 2 C. salted water
• 2 medium leeks, including some green, diced
• 2 large mushrooms, diced
• ½ C. butter
• 1 C. flour
• 8 C. hot chicken broth, salt & pepper
• 1 C. half and half
• 3 Tablespoons dry sherry

1. Wash wild rice thoroughly. 
2. Place in a heavy saucepan with salted water. 
3. Bring to a boil.
4. Simmer covered for about 45 minutes until tender, but not mushy.
5. Fluff with fork.
6. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes.
7. Drain excess liquid.
8. Saute the leeks and mushrooms in butter about 3 minutes or until soft.
9. Sprinkle in the flour, stirring and cooking until flour is cooked, but not browned.
10. Slowly add the chicken broth, stirring until flour mixture is blended well.
11. Add the rice and season to taste with salt and pepper.
12. Heat thoroughly, stirring in half and half and add sherry.
13. Heat gently, but do not boil. 

 Makes about 12 servings.

I assure you this soup is so wonderful you will be adding it to your holiday menu!

Food!

When the holidays roll in, from Halloween to New Years, we seem to find ourselves faced with FOOD every where we turn. I have hypothyroid and find it harder and harder to keep the weight off so I'd like to share a few of my tips to avoid over-doing-it:

1. Don't skip breakfast. I have some lean protein and high fiber carbohydrates - no more than 350 calories total.
2. Have a small morning snack. I usually have my fruit for a morning snack.
3. Decide what you going to eat. I know who's hosting for the holiday meal and all the "traditional" dishes that will most likely be served; so I know what I really want to eat and what I could choose to skip. I always think about serving size too.
4. Schedule an after dinner walk. Since I have kids who are constantly on the go, this is easy for me. The neighbors usually have holiday lights and decorations up so a 20 minute causal stroll gives us all a chance to spread out a little.
5. Skip the alcohol. This is a challenge for me - especially if we go to my in-laws! I will sip club soda with a lime because it looks like a cocktail. Definitely a mind trick.

I hope these help you too.

Green Chile Pie

This recipe is similar to Pastel de Elote, but turns out more like a pie where the Pastel de Elote is closer to corn bread. Again I have Mrs. Bowers to thank. You will need:

• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 sour cream
• 2 cups jack cheese shredded
• 7 ounces green chiles (I prefer diced)
• 1 1/3 cups cheddar cheese shredded
• salt to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons cumin
• pie shell
• picante

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium bowl sprinkle the chiles over the shredded cheeses.
3. Beat eggs, sour cream, cumin and salt in a separate bowl.
4. Pour wet mixture into pie shell.
5. Sprinkle cheese mixture into pie shell.
6. Bake 1 hour and let stand to cool for 15 minutes.
7. Serve with picante.

I love using these recipes for the holidays and Fall potlucks. I get to tell a story about my "younger days" and how someone opened their home to me. (sigh) Gives me a warm feeling inside - not just because of the chiles! I hope you enjoy these recipes as much as I do and consider sharing them or opening your home to someone who could use a little company around the holidays.

Pastel de Elote or "Corn Pie"

My first Thanksgiving away from home was my during freshman year at Colorado State University. Lucky for me there was a gal whose family lived in Fort Collins and invited me into their home for the holiday. This post is a recipe Mrs. Bowers shared and that I have used every Thanksgiving since. You will need:

• 3 large eggs
• 1 can of corn
• 10 ounces frozen corn
• 1/2 cup melted butter
• 1/2 cup corn meal
• 1 cup sour cream
• 4 ounces Jack cheese cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 ounces cheddar cheese into 1/2 inch cubes
• 4 ounces diced green chiles
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp Worcestershire
• salsa 

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease 10 inch pie pan.
3. Beat eggs.
4. Add remaining ingredients and continue mixing.
5. Bake for 1 hour.
6. Serve with salsa.

Thanks Mrs. Bowers!

Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Apple Caramel Sauce

Every Thanksgiving my mother-in-law serves the same sweet potato puree topped with marshmallows. I don't like sweet potatoes this way so I am constantly on the lookout for new recipes. I found the one I'm sharing today in Fitness magazine almost 10 years ago and it's a great one!
You will need:

• 1 1/4 lbs sweet potatoes
• 1 1/2 cups apple juice
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 quarter-size slice of fresh ginger
• 1 tsp cider vinegar
• butter flavored cooking spray
• 2 tsp butter, cut up

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees.
2. Place potatoes (leave the skins on) in a 2-quart microwave-safe baking dish and cook in microwave on high for 5 minutes turning potatoes once halfway through.
3. Let stand 10 minutes or until cool enough to handle.
4. Combine juice, sugar. cinnamon and ginger slice in a small saucepan.
5. Over high heat, bring to a boil stirring until sugar is dissolved.
6. Boil 10 more minutes or until mixture thickens to a light syrup consistency.
7. Let cool.
8. Remove and discard cinnamon stick and ginger slice.
9. Stir in cider vinegar.
10. Peel potatoes and cut into half-inch-thick slices.
11. Coat baking dish with butter-flavored cooking spray.
12. Arrange potatoes in three overlapping rows in prepared dish.
13. Dot with butter and drizzle with 2 tablespoons syrup.
14. Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes until just tender.
15. Remove foil and drizzle with 2 more tablespoons syrup.
16. Bake potatoes 15 minutes or until tender.

You will probably have leftover syrup. I use it on waffles or something else later. I love sweet potatoes this way and so do my kids. Let me know what you think!

Turkey Treats

I use the whole month of November to get ready for Thanksgiving. There are so many things to do... planning the menu, planning kids' activities, planning adult activities, CLEANING! When I plan ahead I get everything done. So this month's blogs will be dedicated to giving you ideas to get ready for the holiday.

On that note, here is a kids' Thanksgiving dessert that is so easy and could be used as a place card holder for your Thanksgiving table. I have also brought these little turkeys into my children's classrooms for Grandparents Day before school closes for Thanksgiving Break. Not sure where I found this, but Sharon Ostrander submitted the idea to a magazine I picked up somewhere and tore it out from several years ago. You will need:

• chocolate star candies (turkey feet or base)
• caramel squares (turkey body)
• chocolate striped shortbread cookies (turkey feathers)
• candy corn (turkey beak)

1. Microwave caramel squares 2 at a time for no more than 10 seconds.
2. Place the caramel on top a chocolate star.
3. Turning the shortbread cookie so stripes go horizontally, stand it behind the caramel.
4. Place the candy corn on top of the caramel sticking out like a beak.

Cute little turkey, huh? When I use these for place card holders, I sit the name card atop the caramel turkey body to lean back to the cookie feathers. I assure you your guests will find their place quickly to get this snack!

Spooky Eyeball Tacos

Yesterday I posted some ideas of spooky treats to pack for the "little monsters" lunchboxes, but today is dinner! Spooky Eyeball Tacos are easier than you might think. Everything you would make for your regular taco night with a simple modification...
Instead of spooning ground beef (or turkey) into your taco shells, make meatballs! Here are the steps to make the taco after you have prepared all the traditional ingredients you usually serve.

1. Spoon in shredded lettuce and chopped tomatoes into the bottom of the shell.
2. Spoon in cheese and guacamole.
3. Place two meatballs into shell.
4. Using half a tablespoon of sour cream top the middle of the meatball.
5. Add sliced olives for irises.

They look really cool when you lay them on the side and on top of each other. Just like a monster coming at you and I assure you more than one will gobbled up!

Halloween Sandwiches and Lunch Treats

When Halloween falls on a school day, I add these fall themed treats to children's lunches with labels on the bags for a bit of lunchtime "eeww"s and aahh's:

1. Halloween Sandwiches - chicken salad sandwiches with the bread cut out of Halloween shaped cookie cutters.
2. Deviled Eyeballs - hard boiled eggs sliced, green olives sliced for irises, and red gel frosting for veins.
3. Spicy Bat Wings - chicken wings
4. Toasted Bones - You will need:

• 1 pkg refrigerated bread sticks
• 1 egg white
• sesame seeds or
• poppy seeds or
• cinnamon sugar or
• Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

1. Line cookie sheet with foil.
2. Unroll breadsticksand separate.
3. Roll each bread stick making in 10 inches long.
4. With a knife cut in half.
5. At each end of the bread stick tie a half knot. They should look like doggie bones.
6. With a pastry brush apply a light coat of egg white.
7. Sprinkle bones with your desired toppings.
8. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes until golden brown.

You can serve these treats for lots of different parties. It's all about the presentation! So remember the labels. For a third grade classroom celebration I was asked to bring grapes. To make it spookier, I made a sign that said, "Watch out... Spider Egg sacks." Gross, right? But the kids gobbled them up just as fast as the sweeter treats provided. Have a Happy Halloween lunch!

Graveyard Ghosts

I have a sweet treat "scene" to share today. Imagine a freshly filled in grave with tombstone... Got a picture in your mind? Good. You will need:

• brownies (I prefer the large brownie squares from the bakery department at my local grocery store)
• rectangle shaped cookies (any flavor)
• whipped topping (Cool Whip does nicely)
• mini chocolate chips
• candy corns and pumpkins
• red gel frosting tube

1. Using the red gel frosting tube, decorate rectangle shaped cookies with "RIP" or "Boo".
2. Stick the cookie into the brownie. (I like to purchase the pre-made from the bakery)
3. Stack a few spoonfuls of whipped topping in the shape of a ghost on top of the brownie.
4. Use 2 mini chocolate chips for the ghost eyes.
5. Finish the "scene" with candy corns and pumpkins on top of the brownie.

You can do this in an assembly line fashion if you choose to do it for an edible craft at your block party or classroom celebration. I like the pre-made brownies because they seem to be the perfect size for the "scene" and the cookies stick better than my homemade recipe. I assure you will have a tasty "scene"!

Something to Wet your Lips... Grown-up Monsters

Because it's Friday and you may be hosting or attending a "Monster Mash" tonight or this weekend, I found a couple of themed mixed drinks to serve! 

Dragon's Blood Punch

   

This drink is sure to wow your guests especially if you add a block of dry ice for that spooooky effect! You'll need: 

• 1 750ml Bottle of Vodka
• 1/2 cup Orange Liqueur
• 6 cups Red Fruit Punch 
• 6 cups Apple Juice
• 6 cups Cranberry Juice
• 2 Liters Ginger Ale

Optional: 1-2 blocks of dry ice 

1. Make sure to acquire all of the ingredients the night before your event.
2. Chill everything for at least 8 hours.
3. Pour all ingredients into a large punch bowl or cauldron.
4. Stir well and add the dry ice, (as alternatives, you can add large chunks of regular ice if you don't want to deal with the safety issues of dry ice).   

The Sweet Vampire

You'll need:

• 1  scoop Vanilla Ice Cream 
• 1 oz. Triple Sec 
• 1oz White Creme de Cacao 
• Drizzle of Grenadine

2. Pour into a wine glass
3. Drizzle grenadine down the inside edge of the glass and drip over the top of the drink for a bleeding effect.

Enjoy!

Blend all ingredients (save for the grenadine) until smooth.

Ghost Meringues

The day got away from me because I had so much fun making these! I had every intention of sharing these with you yesterday... A fluffy white and squishy ghost atop a chocolate graham cracker... Cute, cute, cute! This is fun for everyone and easy too. You will need:

• 3 egg whites
• 1/4 tsp cream of tartar
• 1 cup sugar
• mini chocolate chips
• chocolate graham crackers

1. Make your meringue.

Once meringues are cool, place them atop a choclate grham crasker square.

1. Beat egg whites and cream of tartar until very stiff and glossy.
2. Gradually beat in sugar a little at a time.
3. Spoon on to baking sheet lined with parchment paper; shaping them in a kind of slanted volcano shape.
4. Bake at 275 degrees for 60 min.
5. Turn off oven after 60 minutes but let the meringues cool inside.

1. Place meringues atop a chocolate graham cracker square.
2. Attach mini chocolate chips for eyes.

Fun and easy!  I assure you will get kudos and pats on the back for this cute treat. The kids loved them and shared as an after school snack yesterday so I'm off to bake another batch today!

A Blast of 31 Ideas

This is an easy post for me today, but I suspect you will be busy with the site I am going to share! (I know I will be bookmarking and taking notes for later events!) Check out:

DisneyFamily.com for "31 Days of Disney Halloween Crafts and Recipes"

I am saving all the cupcake decorating ideas! Whoo-hoo! Not only are they spooky for Halloween, but can be used for birthday parties with themes of Little Mermaid or Snow White! The 3D crafts can be used for birthday party activities like Pixie Hollow too. I love the Huey, Louie and Dewey ghosts and the Oogie Boogie Monster craft! What fun! You can always count on Disney to find a balance between the scary and fun.

Goblin Nutty Mix

This is a great treat to have out for a block party or Fall Open House. Of course I can't recommend this for a classroom party because of all the nut allergies our students have these days... sigh... And it is so simple, you could throw it together at the very last minute as you are walking out the door! You will need:

• Spanish peanuts with skins
• candy corns

Pour both containers into a black, green or purple ceramic bowl. Viola! I LOVE simple! The Spanish peanuts with skins just makes it look a little creepier. Don't forget to make a "food flag" to stick up from the bowl that says, "Goblin Nutty Mix". I assure you folks will appreciate the clever name for such a simple and festive treat.

Candy Corn Caramel Apples

This is a fun activity to do for a classroom party! Prep work will be key to successfully execution, but the kids will LOVE it! You will need:

• Granny Smith apples (1 per guest at least)
• Popsicle sticks for each apple
• caramel squares to melt for amount of apples (see package recommendations)
• 2-3 large bags of candy corn
• medium to large size crock pot
• nonstick spray
• wax paper
• quart size Ziploc

Prep to do before arriving at classroom party:

1. Wash apples and remove stems.
2. Stick Popsicle sticks into bottoms of apples.
3. Spray nonstick spray all over inside of crock pot.
4. Begin to melt caramel squares in crock pot on low.
5. Pour candy corn in to medium bowl.
6. Pack it up in the car and head to the classroom party!

Once at school:

1. Making this activity a "center" or "station" keeps the mess to a minimum. So set up  where there is room for crock pot, candy corn bowl, and a place for the "hardening process".
2. Have each kiddo dip their apple into  crock pot covering apple as best they can.
3. Next each kiddo should gently dip the bottom of their apple into the candy corn bowl.
4. Have kiddos place decorated apples on wax paper in your "hardening area".

5. Let them take them home at the end of the day in a quart size Ziploc!

I assure you the kids have probably not made their very own caramel apples before. What a fun experience for them!

Graveyard Cups

Graveyard Cups are that good ol' standby - dirt cups. And dirt cups by any name are still dirt cups and always party hit! So gather your ingredients:

• Chocolate graham crackers - smashed
• chocolate pudding
• gummy worms
• clear plastic cups (1 per guest)

You probably know the drill, but just in case:

1. Fill plastic cups half way with chocolate pudding.
2. Top  with crushed chocolate graham crackers.
3. Lay 2 gummy worms on top.

Ta-da! A party favorite!

Ants on a Log

I have used these for just about every party theme and this healthy snack is good one for Halloween class parties. Remember, I don't like to sugar the kids up too high! You will need:

• celery (one bunch for whole class is plenty)
• cream cheese (I use the garden vegetable flavor for added speckles of "stuff")
• raisins

1. Wash and cut celery into serving pieces.
2. Spoon in cream cheese to "stuff" the celery.
3. Place 2 or 3 raisins on top.

I like simple and quick!


Lots of kids don't like celery but when it's disguised with a title like "ants on a log" they just might try it and enjoy it. Same with the raisins, but most kids pick them off at classroom parties. You could use this as an edible craft, but it may not get eaten at all because the mystery has disappeared. When you use these for block parties or potlucks, most adults appreciate the healthy treat. Although they too may pick off the "ants"!