Christmas Bonbons Recipe

Christmas Bonbons

Ingredients :

1/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup margarine; softened

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed and undiluted

1/4 cup honey

1 1/2 teaspoons grated orange rind

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 egg

1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons all purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon baking soda

1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

1/8 teaspoon ground allspice

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1/3 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup finely chopped dried apricots

3 tablespoons chopped almonds

 

Directions :

1.     Cream sugar and margarine, using an electric mixer set at medium speed,

         until mixture is light and fluffy (about 5 minutes).

2.     Add juice concentrate, honey, orange rind, vanilla, and egg;

3.     Beat at medium speed until blended.

4.     Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda, cloves and allspice.

5.     With mixer running at low speed, gradually add to orange mixture.

6.     Stir in cranberries, raisins, apricots, and almonds.

7.     Spoon batter evenly into 33 paper lined miniature muffin pans.

8.     Bake at 350 deg F for 20 minutes or until lightly browned.

9.     Cool in pans 3 minutes;

10.   Remove from pans and cool on wire rack.

 

 

Courtesy : World Famous Recipes

 

 

Christmas Bread Recipe - Choclate Chip Banana Bread

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Makes : 1 loaf (18 servings)

Ingredients :
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mashed ripe banana (2 to 3 medium)
1/2 cup vegetable shortening
2 large eggs
1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Directions :
1.   Heat oven to 350°F.
2.   Grease bottom only of 9 x 5-inch loaf pan.
3.   Combine all ingredients except small chocolate chips and walnuts in large bowl,
4.   Blend well on medium speed of mixer.
5.   Stir in small chocolate chips and walnuts.
6.   Pour batter into prepared pan.
7.   Bake 60 to 65 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean.
8.   Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan.
9.   Cool completely on wire rack.

Variations:  Chocolate Chips or Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips may be substituted for small chocolate chips.

Recipe courtesy : The Hershey Company

Christmas Pie Crust Recipe - Peanut Butter Chip Crust

Peanut Butter Chip Crust

Makes : One 9-inch pie crust.

Ingredients :
1 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
3/4 cup peanut butter-flavored chips
2 tablespoons sugar
5 tablespoons melted butter

Directions :
1.   Put vanilla wafer crumbs and peanut butter chips in food processor or electric blender and process

       until mixture is well combined and fine crumbs.
2.   Combine crumb mixture with the sugar and melted butter.
3.   Press crust mixture into a 9-inch pie pan and chill until firm. Fill as desired.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Sausage Recipe

Quick-Mix Breakfast Sausage

Serves : 8

Ingredients :

1 pound ground pork
1 teaspoon ground sage
1/2 teaspoon dried savory
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions :
1.   Thoroughly mix seasonings into pork.
2.   May refrigerate covered to allow flavors to "marry".
3.   Shape into patties and brown OR crumble and brown for use in a recipe.

Tip :
*For Spiced Breakfast Sausage: To Breakfast Sausage mix add 1/4 teaspoon EACH ground cloves and ground mace

Nutrition Facts :
Calories 120 calories
Protein 10 grams
Fat 8 grams
Sodium 170 milligrams
Cholesterol 40 milligrams
Saturated Fat 3 grams
Carbohydrates 0 grams

Recipe courtesy : Cooks Recipe

Christmas Fish Recipe - Fish in Beer Batter

Fish In Beer Batter

Makes : 4 servings.

Ingredients :
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup beer
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup vegetable oil
4 (8-ounce) sole fillets

Directions :
1.   In a large bowl mix flour and baking powder; stir in beer, egg, paprika, salt
      and garlic powder.
2.   Heat oil in a skillet.
3.   Dip sole fillets in the batter, one by one; coating both sides.
4.   Put directly into the hot oil, fry for about 4 to 5 minutes on each side, until done.
5.   Drain on paper towels and serve hot.
6.   This fish is moist and flaky. Serve with homemade French fries for a quick
      meal.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Appetizer Recipe - Cranberry Shrimp Cocktail

Cranberry Shrimp Cocktail

Makes : 12 servings.

Ingredients :
Cocktail Sauce :
1 (16-ounce) can Cranberry Sauce (Jellied)
1/2 cup chili sauce
2 tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 teaspoon prepared horseradish

Shrimp:
48 cooked medium shelled deveined shrimp with tails left on (about 1 pound)

Directions :
1.   Combine all sauce ingredients in a medium saucepan.
2.   Bring to a boil on medium-high heat.
3.   Reduce heat; simmer for 10 minutes or until onion is tender and sauce thickens
      slightly, stirring frequently.
4.   Cool; refrigerate until cold.
5.   Fill a large bowl with crushed ice
6.   Place bowl of cocktail sauce in center of ice.
7.   Arrange shrimp on ice around bowl of sauce.

Courtesy : Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc.

Christmas Bar Recipe - Strawberrie-n-Cream Dream Bar

Strawberries 'N Creme Dream Bars

Makes : 24 bars.

Ingredients :
1 1/2 cups vanilla wafer crumbs
2 tablespoons butter OR margarine, melted
2 (8-ounce each) packages cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
24 strawberries

Directions :
1.   Preheat oven to 375*F.
2.   Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter in a bowl.
3.   Press onto the bottom of an 8-inch square pan.
4.   Beat together softened cream cheese, sugar and eggs until smooth.
5.   Stir in lemon juice and vanilla. Pour over the crust.
6.   Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the center is set.
7.   Cool, then cut into squares.
8.   Melt semisweet chocolate chips and decorate the squares.
9.   Top with 24 strawberries.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Pork Recipe - Tandoori-Style Pok Saute

Tandoori-Style Pork Saute

Makes : 4 servings.

Ingredients :
2 cups water
1 cup brown rice
8 ounces pork steaks
1/2 cup onion, sliced
1 garlic clove, crushed
4 plums, sliced
1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons grated gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions :
1.   Bring water to a boil in a saucepan.
2.   Add brown rice and return to a boil, cover, and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until
      the rice is tender.
3.   Cook pork steaks in a non-stick skillet for 2 minutes or until browned, turning
      occasionally. Transfer to a warm platter.
4.   In the same skillet, saute sliced onions and crushed garlic clove for 1 minute.
5.   Add sliced plums; saute 1 minute longer. Remove from the heat.
6.   Return the pork to the skillet. Combine yogurt with flour.
7.   Add to the skillet along with grated ginger, turmeric, and pepper.
8.   Bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
9.   Serve the pork over the cooked rice.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

 

Christmas Sea-Food Recipe

Christmas Eve Seafood Chowder

Serves/Makes :   12

Ingredients :
6 cups water
4 large potatoes, diced
1 large onion, diced
1 teaspoon salt
1 pound raw fish, haddock, sole, pollack, salmon
1 can broken lobster
1 can (10 oz. size) clams or bar clams
12 ounces scallops
2 cups cereal cream
1 cup whole milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 tablespoons parsley, fresh chopped, dried
1/4 cup green onion, chopped

Directions :
1.   Dice potatoes, simmer in water in large saucepan until tender.
2.   Add diced onion, fish and salt.
3.   Simmer until fish is tender.
4.   Add canned seafood and scallops.
5.   Simmer 5 minutes, add cream, milk and butter.
6.   Heat until very hot but not boiling, simmer on low heat for 20 to 30 minutes to allow
      flavors to blend.
7.   Add parsley and green onions just before serving.

Courtesy : CD Kitchen

Christmas Drink Recipe : Lemon-Rum Slush

Lemon-Rum Slush

Makes : 7 cups

Ingredients :
1/4 cup sugar
2 (6-ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
2 cups water
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
2 cups rum

Directions :
1.   Combine all ingredients
2.   Freeze 6 hours, stirring occasionally.
3.   Remove mixture from freezer; stir until slushy.

Just For Lemon Slush :
Omit rum, and let frozen mixture stand at room temperature 20 to 30 minutes or until slushy.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Recipes - Muffin Puffs in Doughnut texture

Doughnut Puffs

Makes : 1 dozen muffins.

Ingredients :
1/2 cup milk
1/3 cup Butter, melted
1 large egg, beaten
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 cup currents

Topping Ingredients :
1/3 cup Butter, melted
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions :
1.     Heat oven to 375°F.
2.     Combine milk, 1/3 cup melted butter and egg in small bowl. Set aside.
3.     Combine flour, 3/4 cup sugar, baking powder, salt and nutmeg in large bowl.
4.     Add egg mixture; stir just until combined. Stir in currants.
5.     Spoon batter into greased 12-cup muffin pan.
6.     Bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7.     Meanwhile, place 1/3 cup melted butter in small bowl.
8.     Combine 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon in another small bowl.
9.     Remove muffins from pan; let stand 2 minutes on wire cooling rack.
10.   Immediately dip top of each muffin into melted butter, then into cinnamon sugar
        mixture.
11.   Serve warm.

Tip : If you are out of currants, simply omit them.

Nutrition Facts (1 muffin) :
Calories: 250,
Fat: 10 g,
Cholesterol: 45 mg,
Sodium: 250 mg,
Carbohydrates: 37 g,
Dietary Fiber: <1 g,
Protein: 3 g.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes 

Christmas Cookie Recipe - Date-Walnut Turnovers

Date-Walnut Turnovers

Makes : 18 turnovers.

Ingredients :
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 (8-ounce) package (1 1/2 cups) chopped dates
1/4 cup Butter, softened
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 (17.3-ounce) package frozen puff pastry sheets, thawed
Ice cream or Heavy Whipping Cream, whipped, if desired

Directions :
1.     Heat oven to 400°F.
2.     Place walnuts and dates in food processor bowl fitted with metal blade.
3.     Cover; process until finely chopped (1 minute).
4.     Add butter, flour, sugar and cardamom; process until well mixed (30 seconds to 1
        minute).
5.     Roll out each sheet of puff pastry on lightly floured surface into 10 1/2-inch square.
6.     Cut each into nine (3 1/2-inch) squares.
7.     Divide date mixture evenly among squares. (If necessary, brush edges lightly with
        water before sealing.)
8.     Starting with one corner, fold each square diagonally in half to form triangle.
9.     Seal edges together with fork.
10.   Place turnovers onto ungreased large baking sheets.
11.   Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until turnovers are lightly browned.
12.   To serve, top with ice cream or whipped cream, if desired.

Tip :
Freeze baked turnovers. To reheat, thaw turnovers. Heat oven to 350°F. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until heated through.

Nutrition Facts (1 turnover) :
Calories: 260,
Fat: 17g,
Cholesterol: 5mg,
Sodium: 95mg,
Carbohydrates: 25g,
Dietary Fiber: 2g,
Protein: 4g

Courtesy : Land O Lakes, Inc.

Christmas Cupcake Recipe - Cherry Cupcake

Cherry Cupcakes

Makes : 15 servings

Ingredients :
1 (18.25-ounce) package chocolate cake mix
3 large eggs
1 1/3 cups water
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 (21-ounce) can cherry pie filling
1 (16-ounce) can vanilla frosting

Directions :
1.   Preheat oven to 350°F.
2.   Place paper liners in 24 muffin-pan cups.
3.   Add eggs, water and oil to cake mix in a large mixing bowl.
4.   Beat ingredients together following package directions.
5.   Pour batter into prepared muffin-pan cups, filling two-thirds full.
6.   Remove 24 cherries from cherry filling; set aside.
7.   Spoon a generous teaspoon of remaining cherry filling onto the center of each cupcake.
8.   Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cools in pans on wire rack for 10 minutes.
9.   Remove from pan. Let cool completely.
10.  Frost each cupcake with vanilla frosting.
11.  Garnish each cupcake with reserved cherries.

Courtesy : Cherry Marketing Institute.

Christmas Cake Recipe - Dark Fruit Cake

Dark Fruit Cake

Sift together :
3 cups cake flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutemg
1/2 tsp.salt

Cream together :
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 C brown sugar
3 eggs, unbeaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tbsp. Kentucky bourbon

Cut with steel blade :
2 cups raisins
2 cups dates
1 cup figs

Chop with knife :
1 C pecans
1 C walnuts
1 C candied cherries
2 tbsp. candied orange peel
1 tbsp. candied lemon peel
1/4 C candied citron
1/2 C candied pineapple
1 C apple juice
1 C blackberry jam
1/4 C all purpose flour
1/2 C Kentucky bourbon
pecan halves if desired

 

Directions :

1.     To the creamed butter and sugar mixture, add the dry ingredients, alternately with 1/2 C apple juice and 1 C blackberry jam.

2.     To this mixture add the chopped nuts and fruits which have been tossed with 1/4 c all purpose flour. Mix thoroughly.

3.     Line a large tube pan with waxed paper and grease well. Pour mixture into the pan.

4.     If desired, top with pecan halves. 

5.     Bake at 275 degrees for one hour and then at 300 degrees for 2 hours longer.

6.     If top browns too soon, cover with brown paper.

7.     Cool 15 minutes in pan and completely on a wire rack.

8.     Sit wire rack on a towel and drizzle 1/2 C bourbon over top of cake.

9.     Wrap in towel and put into a cake tin for at least 3 weeks.

10.   Check every week and if cake feels dry, drizzle with a little more bourbon.

 

Courtesy : Nanny Winslow from Marengo, Indiana
 

Christmas Beverage Recipe - Champagne Reception Punch

Champagne Reception Punch

Makes : About 2 quarts or 10 (6-ounce) servings.

Ingredients  :

5 pints (10 cups) fresh strawberries
1 1/2 cups pineapple juice (chilled)
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
3/4 cup superfine sugar
1 bottle (4/5 quart) champagne or sparkling wine (with or without alcohol) chilled

Directions : 

To make the strawberry ice cubes : 

1.   At least 6 hours before party time, wash the berries.

2.   Place 1 small, pretty berry (with leafy hulls attached) in each compartment of 2 standard-size ice cube trays, then fill with water and freeze.

 

To prepare the punch :

1.    Remove the hulls from the remaining berries and place them in a food processor. 

2.    Process for 2 minutes or until pureed, then transfer to a punch bowl.

3.    Stir in the pineapple juice, lemon juice, and sugar; cover and refrigerate.

4.     Just before serving, pour in the champagne and float the strawberry ice cubes on top.

 

 

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

 

Christmas Fish Recipe - Pepper-Seared Yellowfin Tuna

Pepper-Seared Yellowfin Tuna

Fresh yellowfin tuna steaks are stuffed with a delectable combination of goat cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms and basil.

Makes : 4 servings.

Ingredients :
4 (8-ounce) yellowfin tuna steaks
4 ounces goat cheese
1 ounce sun-dried tomatoes, reconstituted and sliced
8 shiitake mushrooms, stems removed
8 large basil leaves
2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
6 tablespoons olive oil, divided use
Freshly ground black pepper

Directions :
1.     Preheat oven to 400°F.
2.     Combine garlic with half the olive oil; set aside.
3.     Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium-high heat.
4.     Place mushroom caps top-side down and sear until slightly crisp; turn and
        sear briefly. Remove from heat and set aside.
5.     Make a pocket in the tuna steaks by slicing in half horizontally; do not slice
        all the way through.
6.     Stuff each tuna steak in the following order with 1 ounce goat cheese, ½
        ounce sliced sun-dried tomatoes, 2 mushrooms and 2 basil leaves.
7.     Brush inside of top flap with garlic oil.
8.     Season outside of steaks with freshly ground black pepper; set aside.
9.     Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, oven-proof sauté pan over
        medium-high heat.
10.   Add stuffed tuna steaks to pan and sear until brown.
11.   Carefully turn over each steak and sear on other side.
12.   Place in oven and bake 5 to 10 minutes, or until thoroughly done.

Courtesy : National Fisheries Institute.

Barbequed Chicken for Chirstmas Time

Barbecued Chicken Bundles

Makes : 8 servings

Ingredients :
8 (6-ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves
1 (8-ounce) package Cheddar Cheese, cut into (1x1x1/2-inch) slices
16 (about 3/4 pound) slices bacon
1/4 cup barbecue sauce

Directions :
1.     Heat one side of gas grill on medium or charcoal grill until coals are ash white.
2.     Place coals to one side in charcoal grill.
3.     Make aluminum foil drip pan; place opposite hot coals.
4.     Make slit in each chicken breast half to form pocket.
5.     Place 1 slice cheese in each pocket. Roll each chicken breast into bundle;
6.     Wrap crisscross with 2 slices bacon. Secure bacon with toothpicks.
7.     Place bundles on grill over drip pan.
8.     Grill, turning every 15 minutes and brushing with barbecue sauce during last 10 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink (30 to 40 minutes). (If crisp bacon is desired, place bundles over direct heat, turning 2 to 3 times, during last 10 minutes.)

Oven Directions:
1.     Heat oven to 400°F.
2.     Prepare bundles as directed above (if crisp bacon is desired, precook bacon until half done).
3.     Place bundles on broiler pan, bottom-side up.
4.     Bake for 30 minutes; turn. Brush with barbecue sauce.
5.     Continue baking for 20 to 30 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Dessert Recipe - Chocolate Cherry Torte

Chocolate Cherry Torte

Makes : 12 to 15 servings.

Ingredients :
1 (16-ounce) package chocolate-covered graham cracker cookies, crushed
1 cup butter, melted
1 (12-ounce) container non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 (21-ounce) cans cherry pie filling

Directions :
1.   Set aside 1/4 cup crushed cookies for topping.
2.   Combine the remaining cookies with the butter;
3.   Spread into a 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Set aside.
4.   In a mixing bowl, combine whipped topping with the cream cheese until smooth. 5.   Spread over crust; top with pie filling and sprinkle with reserved cookie crumbs.
6.   Refrigerate for several to 24 hours before serving.

Tip : The chocolate-covered graham cracker crust and fluffy filling makes this a special dessert.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Fun Cookies - Chocolate Raspberry Tart.

Makes 12 servings

Ingredients

10 pecan shortbread cookies
10 gingersnaps
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup semisweet or milk chocolate chips
12 ounces raspberries
1/2 cup seedless raspberry, strawberry or peach jam
1 cup whipping cream or crème fraîche, whipped

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Crush cookies into fine crumbs with rolling pin or in food processor fitted with metal blade (about 2 cups).
3. Add butter to food processor and pulse until combined.
4. Alternatively, blend cookie crumbs and butter in a bowl.
5. Press buttered crumbs over bottom and up sides of a 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom or into a 9-inch pie plate.
6. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until lightly browned; cool slightly.
7. In microwaveable dish, microwave chocolate for 1 minute on HIGH; stir well.
8. Microwave in 20 second intervals, stirring after each one, until chocolate is melted.
9. Spread over bottom of crust.
10. Gently press raspberries into chocolate, dome side up, arranging in rings, starting from outside.
11. Reserve any unused berries for garnish.
12. Melt jam in microwave for 20 seconds on HIGH; stir until smooth.
13. Pour or brush over raspberries. Chill 15 minutes before serving.
14. Top with whipped cream and reserved raspberries.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Creamy Fruit Salad for Christmas Eve

Makes 10 (1/2 cup) servings.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Sour Cream
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup flaked coconut
2 (15-ounce) cans fruit cocktail, drained
2 teaspoons grated lemon or orange peel
Fresh mint leaves, if desired

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in medium bowl; mix well.
2. Cover; refrigerate at least 2 hours.
3. Garnish salad with fresh mint leaves, if desired.

Tip : Fresh citrus peel adds a sparkle to this quick and simple fruit salad.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes

Christmas Recipe Tips - Orange Fig Jam.

Makes about 5 pints.

Ingredients

5 cups crushed figs
6 cups sugar
1 cup orange juice
1 teaspoon orange zest

Directions

1. Combine figs, sugar, orange juice and zest in a large sauce pot.
2. Bring slowly to a boil, stirring until sugar dissolves.
3. Cook, over medium-low heat, until thick.
4. Stir frequently to prevent sticking.
5. Immediately pour into hot, sterilized jars, leaving 1/3-inch head space.
6. Adjust caps. Process 15 minutes in boiling water bath.

Courtesy : Cooks Recipes