Christmas Goodies

I usually try new recipes out on people when they come over. That can either go great or ruin a whole night. I had my parents over for my Dad's birthday and decided to BBQ for the first time. Scott was at work and wouldn't be home in time. I got the BBQ started and put on a Tri-tip. The seasonings smelt soooo good. There was a thick layer of brown sugar. As we all know sugar burns! Boy did it. I had the heat up way too high, for way too long. Low and slow Summer...low and slow!!! About part way through the cooking process I remembered that and checked on it. Yea it was burnt. Luckily I did not trust myself so I had some chicken baking in the oven. So we had boring baked chicken legs. I didn't even have one they looked so gross. I chiseled through some tri-tip and ate that. It was actually pretty good despite the candied crust. Everyone ended up trying it and liking it. Sorry Dad! I need to try recipes out before I decide to make them for a crowd. Below is my Peanut Brittle recipe. I made this for the first time for our Christmas Party. I have to say it was fun to make and Scott thinks I should sell it! Peanut Brittle is one of those things that I have to make every Holiday season. Enjoy.

Peanut Brittle

1 c Sugar
1/2 c Light Corn Syrup
1/4 tsp Salt
1/4 c Water
1 c Peanuts
2 TBS Butter, softened
1 tsp Baking Soda

Grease large cookie sheet and set aside.

Measure out all ingredients ahead of time. You will need to move quickly and you don't want to get stalled by measuring out everything as you go along.

In a heavy saucepan, over medium heat, bring sugar, corn syrup salt and water to a boil. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Stir in peanuts. Put your candy thermometer in place in the saucepan and continue to cook. Stir frequently until the temp reaches 300 degrees.

Remove from heat and immediately stir in the butter and baking soda; pour at once onto cookie sheet. With 2 forks gently pull the mixture into a rectangle about 14x12". Cool and then snap into pieces.

Inspiration

I just finished watching Julie&Julia for the first time tonight. What a great movie! If you have a passion for food or anything for that matter this movie will speak to you. It was especially a great movie since I understand both points of view. Julie struggled with never finishing anything and so she decided to cook her way through Julia Child's "Master the Art of French Cooking". Oh all of this in 365 days...that is 524 recipes!!!! Julia Child really knew nothing about food and definitely had to work hard to keep up at Le Cordon Bleu. It was great to watch them both persevere and complete their goals. Although I have to admit Julia Child always annoyed me..she is a classic. French cooking is complicated and a bit too fussy for me, but I do appreciate it. Most of what is taught stems from the French way. I decided to post some recipes of mine. Being Christmas time I thought it was appropriate to share some Christmas goodies with you. Just like Julie in the movie stated..I am not sure if anyone actually reads any of my blogs..I feel like I am writing to a black void sometimes. It does get a lot off my mind and I will be able to sleep better if I share this. So as Julia would say Bon Appetit!

***Please excuse my photography skills...or lack of*****

Ginger Cookies

2 1/4 c Flour
2 tsp Ground Ginger

1 tsp Baking Soda

3/4 tsp ground Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Gound Cloves

1/4 tsp Salt

3/4 c Margarine, softened

1 c Sugar

1 Egg

1 TBS Water

1/4 c Molasses

2 TBS Sugar

Preheat 350

Sift flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt. Set aside.

In a large bowl. cream margarine and 1 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg. Then stir in the water and molasses. Add in the dry ingredients gradually. I like to refrigerate my dough for about 30 mins. If you don'r have time it is not necessary. Then shape into balls, about the size of walnuts, and roll them in the remaining sugar. Place on cookie sheet and flatten down slightly with the bottom of a glass.

Bake for 8-10 minutes. Cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes and they are ready to eat!

More to come later..I am off to bed!