Fancy Gourmet Dessert Cakes

The holidays are synonymous with turkey, gravy and mashed potatoes so if you would like a few tips for each; here goes. To really lock in the juices, butter baste your turkey. Put about three tablespoons of margarine and three tablespoons of cooking oil into a microwavable cup. Heat the mixture until both are melted together. Baste the turkey thoroughly with the mixture and cook your turkey as you normally would. You’ll be amazed at how juicy the bird turns out. Oh, by the way, get a kitchen thermometer and cook your turkey at a slightly lower heat, even if it takes a little longer, it will keep the bird from drying out too much. The thermometer will ensure that the turkey is safely cooked so you won’t get thrown off track by the change in degrees. 

Gravy is relatively simple to make. You can take about 11/2 cups of the juice which melted off the turkey during cooking (this is assuming that you are cooking an 18 to 20 pound bird), mix it with about 1/4 cup of flower and stir the mixture thoroughly in a large skillet over a low heat. The flower thickens the leftover juice and creates a nice gravy texture. Adjust the measurements accordingly to your bird’s weight.  

For mashed potatoes, you can add a little garlic powder along with the butter and milk before using the mixer on your boiled potatoes. It makes the potatoes a little more flavorful. Some people use a dash of Cheyenne pepper on the potatoes but I would recommend doing a test run before hand so that you are sure you like the flavor. We all develop little tricks over the years and I hope these come in handy. There is nothing like enjoying a fine meal, especially one that you have prepared yourself. Happy eating everyone!  Written by Delightful Biteful 

Looking at the traditions of Christmas and Chanukah it seems that these celebrations have common traits.

For Christmas hanging lights around town and in the home is an important part of the celebration.  On Chanukah, lighting of the Menorah for each day of the celebration is what gives this holiday the name “holiday of lights”.

Caroling is a wonderful Christmas tradition and has been part of the holiday for a great many years. During Chanukah, Hallel “Jewish Praise” is chanted each morning from a selection of Psalms. 

Giving of presents on Christmas Eve or Christmas day is a tradition for most people.  The giving of small gifts or money to children and some adults too is a popular way of celebrating through Chanukah. 

Traditional Christmas dinners are turkey, goose, duck or ham with stewed fruit, pudding or rich cake for dessert. Many people enjoy a late night dinner consisting of fried fish fillets or shell fish. 

Eating of fried foods (potato pancakes are very popular), to celebrate the “miracle of the oil” is a common Chanukah tradition.

Red and green and gold and white are symbolic colors for these holidays. When these colors are displayed it is clear that ‘tis the season.

Wonderful Christmas and Chanukah cards are a long time tradition. Many people have begun to create their own cards with software programs that are perfect for that kind of thing, and fun too.  

Of course in the past years many people complained that the holidays were becoming too commercial and that the meaning of it all was being squashed. Recently some folks have made a concerted effort to keep the spirit in mind and the materialism secondary. I myself am enjoying the change.  

Celebrating and rejoicing are a precious right that we are so blessed to have. May your season be a wonderful one. 

Written by Delightful Biteful

For many people decorating the tree is one of the most rewarding activities of the year. Here are some ideas I’ve come across in years past. Frosted white Christmas tree balls placed in front of the tree lights create an iridescent glow. If your conventional tree top keeps drooping over, try putting a big velvet bow on top of the tree, it adds a homey feeling. Many folks like using a strict color theme when decorating their tree; white and blue or white and green; another popular combination is maroon and gold. Satin balls and bows are usually the main decorations for this sort of thing. If you have some bright silk flowers on hand, you may want to place a few of them on your tree. Dried wild flowers in small bunches are also very nice (safest on artificial trees). A new and fun garland wrap is beads. A string of gold or silver beads really brightens up the tree during the day so you can refrain from lighting the tree all of the time. The best part is that the decorations are not hidden from view as with old fashioned garland. 

Popcorn balls for the kids wrapped in thin ribbon and hung from the tree branches are an old fashioned favorite. Remember? Melt five tablespoons of butter in a medium sauce pan and add about 15 large marshmallows and eight small squares of caramel, stir them together over a very low heat until the mixture becomes a thick liquid texture. Pour over half a bag of popcorn (medium size), careful not to burn your hands; mix together and mold into 21/2 inch balls. 

It is my opinion that, since we only get to do this once a year, we should dress things up as much as possible. It may help to keep the holiday spirit alive for the rest of the year. 

Written by Delightful Biteful

One sense that can have an overwhelming effect on our mood is the sense of smell. Warm folks up to the holidays with some simple tricks and get the most out of the time together.

Dried flowers and half a Cinnamon stick wrapped up in mesh cloth and tied with a thin ribbon make an instant potpourri. Cinnamon or flower scented oil is a convenient way to keep the scent strong. You can even hang a couple of sachets from the Christmas tree.

Pine cones are perfect for creating pleasant scents. Gently baste a pine cone with pine oil and it will retain the seasonal fragrance for some time.

Before adding the Christmas lights, spray the tree with the cologne of your choice (men’s cologne works best). You can usually catch the scent for a good while when standing next to it.

If you do not like conventional air fresheners, just spray a strong but stylish smelling perfume mist generously onto cotton balls and place them discreetly in different corners of the house. Places they can be hidden are; corners of window sills, under furniture, behind mirrors or pictures, under a chair or couch and so on. You can use scented oils in place of perfume if you prefer. You’ll be amazed at how quickly food and stale odors disappear and the house doesn’t have that “Supermarket Air Freshener Scent”.

To wind it all up, have wonderful smelling and tasting food. The smell of fine coffee is always a winner and don’t forget the aroma of a thick piece of chocolate cake!

Written by Delightful Biteful

BELEIVE! We all need to hang on to our beliefs and emphatically reinforce them at least once a year, so let’s do it with joy and fervor. If you really want to feel the spirit of the holidays, I have a few simple suggestions that may help.

There is an opportunity that many folks have but do not take advantage of. Late on a snowy night when all is quiet and a special twinkling light comes up off the soft, icy blanket, put on your goulashes and step outside for a moment of beauty and peace.

Many times during the holidays, we are harried and rushed to decorate and organize and keep everyone happy. Try to remember that decorations are more than superficial. They are symbols for the significance of the holiday. Stop and take a good look. A holiday Menorah or Christmas tree lights are especially useful for this.

A classic drink to help enjoy these moments is Eggnog. I have a quick refresher course for anyone who hasn’t made some in awhile.Add one egg for every cup of whole milk (1 serving).Normally 1 teaspoon of sugar is preferred per serving but sweeten to taste. A pinch of salt and/or 3 tablespoons of whisky per serving are optional. Blend it until frothy and top with nutmeg or a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Another simple classic is the hot toddy made with a cup of hot brewed tea, 1 tablespoon of honey, 1 shot of brandy and a squeeze of fresh lemon.

And so, after all is said and done, it is the little joys and special moments that make a life well lived.

Written by Delightful Biteful