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Patty Craig : A Slice of Time

Guy Fieri said, “Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat” (https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/cooking-quotes). During December, we seem to cook quite a bit for family and to take to gatherings. I hope the recipes below include one that you enjoy.

Candied Pecans

1 c. white sugar

1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1 tsp. salt

1 egg white

1 T. water

1 lb. pecan halves

Directions:  Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Mix sugar, cinnamon and salt together in a bowl. In a separate bowl, whisk egg white and water together until frothy. Toss pecans in the egg white mixture. Mix sugar mixture into pecan mixture until pecans are evenly coated. Spread coated pecans onto a baking dish (I use a large cookie sheet, lined with parchment paper.). Bake in the preheated oven, stirring every 15 minutes, until pecans are evenly browned, 1 hour. Cool then store in an airtight container.

Sam’s Orange Pecans

¼ c. orange juice

1 T. orange zest or rind

1 c. sugar

4 c. pecan halves

Directions:  Mix orange juice, orange zest and sugar in a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring constantly. Add pecans, continue stirring to ensure that pecans are coated with the sugar mixture and not sticking to the pan. Cook until liquid is gone. Pour out onto wax or parchment paper, separating pecans with a fork. Cool then store in an airtight container.

Britney’s Sausage Balls

2 rolls of sausage, one mild and one with extra sage

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 ¼ c. Bisquick

Directions:  Mix the 2 sausages together, mix in the cheese, then mix in the Bisquick. Line a cookie sheet with aluminum foil and spray the foil with Pam. Roll the sausage mixture into small ball. Bake in 350-degree preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes.

Creamy Potato Gratin

1 garlic clove

Cooking spray

2 c. heavy cream

½ c. Miracle Whip Dressing

1 tsp. kosher salt

½ tsp. black pepper

½ c. finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 2 oz.)

3 lb. russet potatoes

1/3 c. grated Parmesan cheese (about 1 ½ oz. – may add more if desired)

1 T. chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Rub the bottom and sides of a 9x13-inch glass baking dish with the cut sides of garlic clove and coat it with cooking spray. Whisk together cream, Miracle Whip, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Stir in cheddar. Cut potatoes into 1/8-inch-thick slices. Arrange half of slices in prepared baking dish; pour half of cream sauce over potatoes. Arrange remaining half of slices in the dish; pour remaining sauce over top. Cover dish tightly with foil; bake in 350-degree preheated oven for 1 hour or until potatoes are almost tender. Uncover baking dish. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 degrees until potatoes are tender, about 15 minutes. If desired, broil for 2 minutes or until top is lightly browned. Let stand 10 minutes, and garnish with parsley.

Moira’s Candied Sweet Potatoes

About 6 sweet potatoes, washed

Butter

Cinnamon

2 c. sugar (1 c. brown, firmly packed, and 1 c. white, mixed together)

Mini marshmallows

Directions:  In a large pan, boil whole sweet potatoes until the outside skin peels off and a fork goes through the potato easily. Drain off the water and let the potatoes cool. Peel the skins away and slice the potatoes into ¼-inch slices, layering the bottom of a lightly-greased casserole dish. Add sliced pats of butter on top of potatoes. Next sprinkle cinnamon and sugar over all. Repeat layers until all potatoes are used. Bake at 350 degrees about 20 minutes, until syrupy. Remove from oven and top with marshmallows. Return to oven for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing the marshmallows to lightly brown. 

Roadhouse Rolls

1 c. warm milk

1/3 c. sugar

1 pkg. or 2 ¼ tsp. active dry yeast

3 ½ c. all-purpose flour, plus more for board

1 egg

1/3 c. butter, melted plus ¼ c. butter, melted (optional)

1 tsp. salt

Directions:  In a cup or small bowl, stir together the warm milk, sugar and yeast. Allow the yeast to proof and begin to activate while you prepare other ingredients. Using a stand mixer or food processor, combine the flour, egg, 1/3 c. melted butter and salt. Add the milk mixture and process until you have a smooth dough; it will be stickier and wetter than regular bread dough. Place the dough in a greased bowl, turn the dough to grease all sides, and cover with a towel. Let rise until it has doubled in size. When the dough has doubled, punch it down and turn it out on a floured board. Let rest for 10 minutes. Roll out the dough into a large, flat rectangle approximately ½ inch thick. Cut into 16 portions with a sharp knife and place on a greased baking sheet and let rise again, until doubled. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Bake the rolls for 10 minutes; they will be light brown when removed from the oven. If desired, brush the tops of the rolls with the remaining ¼ c. melted butter before serving.

Debbie’s Million Dollar Pie

1 can sweetened condensed milk

¼ c. lemon juice

1 can coconut

1 c. pecans

1 can crushed pineapple, drained

1 8-ounce container Cool Whip

2 graham cracker crusts

Directions:  Add lemon juice to milk. Let set a few minutes. Then, add coconut, pecans, pineapple and Cool Whip. Stir together. Pour into the 2 graham cracker crusts. Keep refrigerated.

Jean’s Wassail

2 quarts (8 c.) apple cider or juice

1 pint (2 c.) cranberry juice

¾ c. sugar

2 sticks cinnamon

1 tsp. allspice

1 small orange, peeled and studded with whole cloves

1 c. rum, optional

Directions:  Cook on high in a crock pot for 1 hour then on low for 4-8 hours. Serve warm.

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During this season as people gather to eat, cooking and food get much attention. Many even use cooking as a stress reliever. I’m enjoying both.

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