Wendi's English Toffee

This is undoubtedly the best toffee recipe alive and kicking. I have gift bags of it in my kitchen right now ready to pass out. Unless I eat it all. It could happen.


2 cups sweet cream salted butter
2 cups sugar
1/4 cup water
1 lb whole raw almonds
24 oz. chocolate of choice (milk chocolate is great, even if you are a dark chocolate lover)
1 lb walnuts, finely chopped


Heat butter, sugar and water on med. high heat in a heavy stock pot.
Stir constantly and gently until 250 degrees. Do not let bottom burn. 
Silicone spatulas work best.


Once 250 degrees, add almonds and continually stir until 298 degrees. 
(if the butter separates while making this, carefully continue stirring until the butter is mixed back in.
Pour hot candy into an 11 x 15 pan. Spread evenly


When candy has cooled slightly, about 10 minutes, place 12 oz of the chocolate on top. When chocolate melts, spread evenly and sprinkle walnuts on top.


When cool, invert onto wax paper. (You'll want two pieces of wax paper  
over-lapping so it's wide enough)
Melt remaining 12 oz of chocolate and spread evenly on top of toffee. Sprinkle remaining walnuts on top.
Cool toffee and wrap in wax paper. Do NOT Refrigerate! Chocolate can separate from toffee.
Break into small pieces and store.
The beauty of toffee is that it has a long shelf life, unlike cookies. So it's great to make at Christmas time and keep around the house as last minute gifts or as teacher presents.
I hope you enjoy this candy as much as I do. Thanks Wendi for sharing! 

Christmas Tree, baking and friends...what could be better?

What a wonderful weekend! Thanksgiving was wonderful and on Friday, we went to chop down our tree. Buying our tree the day after Thanksgiving has been a tradition in my family since I was  a child. We went to Helvatia Christmas Tree Farm and bought hot chocolate, roasted marshmallows and chopped down the most beautiful tree we have ever bought.

We also bought 4 new ornaments; 3 birds and an owl. If you watch Portlandia or live in Portland, you know all about putting a bird on it!


The whole family got in on the decorating action while listening to Christmas music, much to Althea's chagrin. She's pretty sure she's going to get sick of the music any day now! LOL.
Then we went over to our friend's house for some games, went to the mall's tree lighting ceremony and came back to our house with some other friends for left overs and more games. It was a very busy and super fun day.


On Saturday, I went to my friends house to make toffee. She has people over twice in December and shows them how to make the perfect toffee. It was a lot of fun baking and hanging out with the girls. Since I've been working again, I haven't had as much time as I'd like to spend with them. I am truly blessed to have such wonderful friends. You know who you are! Here's a picture of the delicious toffee.

Maybe you get some or maybe I'll eat it all. Who knows?


Later Saturday night, our family played B.S. (the card game) We all were on a sugar high and laughed the whole 90 minutes it took us to play the game. The game was going on so long, I totally started cheating. I was putting 2 or 3 cards down at a time and Totally got busted! It was so funny.


On Sunday, we got tons errands done. I bought those super hard to find items that my mother-in-law had to have; I got a new outfit for my Christmas party, wrapped a bunch of presents and have them all ready to get mailed out. I even have my cards stamped and ready to go. I really like getting as much done as possible as early as possible so I can sit back and enjoy my favorite time of the year.


What are some of your holiday traditions? Is there something that you bake and would like to share the recipe with us? Please email me so I can write about it. Or post comments in the comment section.
Thanks for reading!
xoxo
Kristen

Thankful for Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving was especially wonderful because we had our cousin Rashelle and you many, many in-laws to spend it with. There were about 35 of us sharing the holiday together. I have missed that so much since I've moved to Oregon. It felt like being back in California with all of my cousins. I loved it! It's so amazing how my husbands cousins husbands family has taken us on as one of their own. 


Now, let's talk about the food. Yummy! The turkey was moist, there was lots of ham (my favorite) and so many different side dishes. And about 30 pounds of mashed potatoes! There were lots left over and not because they didn't taste good. They were delicious. Everyone loved the Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake. But, to my surprise my favorite dish, along with many others, was the Brussel Sprouts! We just can't get enough of them. Thanks Tod! I added a little blue cheese to them at the end and it really kicked them up a notch. Mmmm. I need to make more. They are definitely on the list for next year.


There is so much to be thankful for this year. We are all healthy. The girls are doing really well in school. Lewis started a new job the day before his old company was sold.  I started working again. And people are actually reading my blog. Who would of thunk?
But the thing I am most grateful for this year, is that it's the first year since living here that I feel truly at home. I have the best group of friends and family here now. I feel like I've finally found my place here. And when Mamma's happy, everybody's happy!


I hope everyone had as wonderful of a Thanksgiving as we did. 

Marna's Rolls

It just isn't Thanksgiving without Marna's homemade rolls. They are easy to make and very tasty any time of the year. I have even used them to make cinnamon rolls for the girls. (Those of you who know me know I am not a cinnamon fan)


8 Tbls. rapid rise yeast 
2 tsp. sugar
I can evaperated milk + enought warm water to = 4 cups
Mix these ingredients together and let sit for 15 minutes


In a separate bowl, mix together 
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 Tbs. salt
8 cups BREAD flour
2 cups melted butter
Mix all ingredients together with mixer using dough attachment


Alternate adding 8 eggs and 8 cups of flour
Mix for ten minutes
Cover with towel and put in warm place to rise
Once doubled, roll and shape to your liking
Bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes, depending on the size you make them and enjoy!

Is it too much?

I'm looking at my food list for Thanksgiving and am wondering, is this too much? I mean, I want left-overs. Who doesn't? I want to not have to cook for the rest of the weekend. I need to eat lots of pie. But this list is pretty long. I'll let you be the judge. You tell me if you think it's too much...or maybe not enough...


Turkey with Blackberry Sauce
Ham with Honey Mustard
Brussel Sprouts with Figs and Bacon
Sweet Potato Puff
Stuffing with Pecans and Craisons
Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes w/fresh Rosemary and Sea Salt
Glazed Carrots
Homemade rolls


Chocolate Chip Cheesecake (x2)
French Silk Pie
Blackberry Pie
Pecan Pie
Pumpkin Pie
 all served with freshly whipped cream

Thanksgiving Cheats

When I first moved to Oregon, far away from all of my family, I had to do all of the Thanksgiving cooking for my family. Oh how I missed the days of bringing a few pies over to my Aunt's house and taking home lots of leftovers. But I wasn't about to leave out any of the dishes, so I had to find a way to make things easier on me so I wouldn't fall asleep at the dinner table...again...

Cheat 1. Stove top stuffing. I prefer the herb flavored. Just add some chopped pecans and craisons and you're good to go.

Cheat 2. Buy turkey breasts and cook them in the crock pot. Just add butter, white wine and herbs. You will never have to stick you hand up a turkey's butt ever again. And your turkey will always be moist.

Cheat 3. Pillsbury pie crust. Total time saver and better than I can do. I use them for my single crust pies.

Cheat 4. Buy your pumpkin pie at Costco. 

Cheat 5. Force your kids to help you cook and take all of the credit. You might have to pay them off.

If you have any cheats, please share. We could all use some extra help during the holidays!

Lanie's Asparagus

Maybe everyone knows this one already, but...


Tender Baked Asparagus:
Wash a bunch of asparagus and snap off the tips of the cut ends;
Spread them out on a baking sheet or stone
Drizzle or mist with olive oil
Mince 1-3 fresh garlic cloves and spread over asparagus
Lightly salt & pepper (optional)


Bake inoven@ 350 or 400 for approx. 10 minutes (I use the higher temp when the asparagus stalks are really thick) 
I always test a couple for tenderness by poking with a fork before I take them out and add a couple extra minutes if they are still tough.
This is so easy and pretty healthy too, depending on the amount of olive oil you use. An oil mister really cuts down on the amount of oil used, but still covers them evenly.

Brussel Sprouts...but with bacon so they taste good!

This recipe is from one of my oldest friends, Tod. We were besties in middle school and high school. Aww, the memories. 
This is the vegetable I'm going to serve on Thanksgiving. I'll let you all know how it tastes. I just don't do the whole green bean casserole thing.


Brussel sprouts with bacon and figs. Mmmm. Cook bacon, quarter Brussel sprouts, pull bacon out and set aside. Add sprouts to pan with bacon grease (pull some grease out if it's too much) Saute' for about 3-5 minutes on medium-high. Add 1/4 cup chicken broth and figs. Cover and cook for about 10-15 minutes on med-low. Add bacon at very end along with a splash of balsamic if you want. I guarantee people who hate Brussel sprouts will like this.

Iris' Pumpkin Soup

I asked my friends for some vegetable recipes to go with all of the starch we eat on Thanksgiving and boy did they deliver! I can't wait to try this out. Hot soup sounds so wonderful on this rainy Oregon evening.


Pumpkin Soup


Look for white pumpkins or butternut squash. 
Chop, seed and put in your pot along with an apple and an onion. 
Add about four cups chicken stock and simmer until the pumpkin is soft.
Allow to cool, then scoop the pumpkin meat out of it's skin. Toss the skin in the 
compost and puree the rest of the goodness with a bit of cream. 
Add salt and a touch of nutmeg. It's a staple around these parts. And don't forget to roast the seeds!

Sweet Potato Puff

This recipe is from a massage therapist friend of mine. It's a great alternative to that disgusting marshmallow yam yuckiness. I like to think it's more sophisticated, like me!

325 degrees fro 35-40 minutes
3 cups cold, mashed sweet potatoes
1/2 cup sugar
2 beaten eggs
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 cup coconut flakes

Topping
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped pecans
2 Tbs. melted butter
1//4 cup flour

Beat potatoes, add sugar, milk, eggs and vanilla until fluffy. Stir in the coconut. Spoon into baking dish. Combine topping, sprinkle over potato mixture. Bake uncovered in greased baking dish.

Hint: I bake the sweet potatoes (you can also use yams) and mash them the night before and refrigerate them. It saves time on the Turkey Day.

Melanie's Holiday Yams

Here is a recipe from my friend Melanie. We used to work together way back in the 90's. She always made the best food and threw super fun Oscar parties. Thanks Mel!
Heres a recipe my mom and I came up with. I'm not a big fan of yams, but this isnt bad. Not the same old marshmallow stuff! LOL!

Holiday Yams
Ingredients:
4 large yams, peeled, cut into bite size chunks
1/2 C. butter
1/4 C. seasoned rice vinegar (found in the asian section of the supermarket)
1/2 C. packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
a pinch to 1/4 tsp. salt 
1/3 cup chopped walnuts, plus some for garnishing 

Boil yams until tender. Combine remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat until butter melts and sugar dissolves. Pour over yams and stir until combined. Garnish with walnuts.
Note: For extra flavor, you can toast the walnuts or use spiced walnuts.

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake

It's finally here! The recipe all 2 of my followers have been waiting for! Our family has enjoyed this cheesecake for 20 years or so. I only make it once a year and we savor every bite. It's easy to make and so, so delicious.

Crust
1 cup vanilla wafers (about 30)
1/4 cup cocoa
1/4 cup melted butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar

Crush wafers and add remaining crust ingredients. Press into bottom and up 1/2 inch on sides of spring-form pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. Take out and turn oven up to 400 degrees.

Filling
3 packages cream cheese
1 cup sugar
3 Tbs flour
1 tsp pumpkin spice
1 cup canned or freshly mashed pumpkin
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups Hershey's mini chocolate chips

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, flour and spice, then add pumpkin and eggs. Stir in chips and pour into crust. Bake 10 min at 400, then turn oven down to 325 and keep baking for 50 minutes. If center is too jiggly, bake another 5 or 10 minutes.
Place on wire rack to cool for 1 hour, the refrigerate over night. Serve with fresh whipped cream and enjoy.

Teaser

You know you've been waiting. And you'll have to wait just a few more days.
Coming soon: Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake recipe. You know you want it!

Crock Pot Turkey

My wonderful sister in law wanted to know how I make my turkey breasts in the crock pot. It's so easy and delish. I just buy two turkey breasts, throw in a cube of butter, 1/4 bottle of white wine and some herbes de provence and sea salt, cover and turn on medium heat. The beauty of this is that your oven is free to bake my usual pie per person or your usual Turkey Day sides.
Stay tuned in for more yummy recipes!

Dreaming of Turkey Day

When I moved to Oregon, far away from all my extended family, I had to start cooking ALL of the Thanksgiving dishes myself. Sweet Potato Puff, mashed potatoes, stuffing, turkey, ham, green beans. Not to mention all those pies. (you need one pie per person, right?) So, one year I got really smart and just bought seasoned turkey breasts from Costco and cooked them in the crock pot with butter, wine and herbs. It made turkey day sooo much easier. And I had more time to bake all of those pies.

Pumpkin pie, of course, Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Cheesecake, Pecan Pie and Blackberry Pie. Yummy.
Now, I buy my pumpkin pie at Costco, because, who can beat that price. Plus, I don't like pumpkin pie, my family does, so who cares, right? Now, let's talk about that cheesecake. Oh. My. God. It's so delicious, plus I only make it once a year, so it's really special. And who doesn't like Pecan  and Blackberry Pies.

Well, I'm tired, so I will post the recipes later. I just wanted to get your mouths watering. I'm such a tease!