Tag-Archive for » Holidays «

Dec

This particular recipe came from a really dear friend of mine. She made this during the holiday season at work, and I knew I had to have the recipe! When we ran out of crackers for scooping it up – I was eating it with a spoon.

Seriously.

When I read the ingredients, I couldn’t believe they could combine to create such a lovely appetizer!

Holiday Cranberry Spread

1 16 oz bag fresh cranberries, rinsed, sorted
1 orange, seeded and peeled
1 red apple, cored and peeled
1 jalapeno, seeded and deveined
1 cup sugar
1 8 oz block cream cheese

In small food processor, pour cranberries, orange, apple, jalapeno and sugar. (Be very careful when handling jalapeno and make sure to avoid your eyes and wash your hands after handling.) Mix until thorougly blended. It may be necessary to mix in parts depending on the size of your food processor. Store in refrigerator for 24 hours.

One hour before serving, soften cream cheese and spread into bottom of glass pie pan. Spread half cranberry mixture over cream cheese, cover and return to refrigerator.

Serve with a variety of crackers. (Our favorites are Keebler Townhouse crackers!)

Makes enough spread for 2 blocks of cream cheese, but would also make a lovely side (like cranberry sauce) for turkey or ham.

Category: Recipes Tags: appetizers, cranberries, Holidays 3 Comments

Nov

Happy Thanksgiving

queenmommy

TG5

Category: Holidays Tags: Holidays, Thanksgiving Leave a Comment

Nov

Great Stuff on the Web

queenmommy

Here are some great links to holiday resources and giveaways! Check themout!

Remembrance Press - If you’ve got girls or love girly things – this is a beautiful Christian site you should visit. They’ve been having some giveaways and have some great print publications for purchase. This site makes me think of Anne of Green Gables or Jo March and Louisa May Alcott…

From The Old Schoolhouse – a *free*digital holiday supplement for Thanksgiving and Christmas. I’ve downloaded this and skimmed through it – and love it! For free, you can’t miss it!

Gooseberry Patch – this is there blog – which you should follow. =) Besides, it’s the holiday season and I cannot forget to mention my FAVORITE resource for cookbooks and holiday idea books. From gift mix recipes to craft recipes to scrumptious recipes that may become family favorites – you will find something great to give or keep. They are having giveaways and sales so if you’re doing some shopping – check it out.

Coffee with the Mrs has a great giveaway going on. Yes – it’s another Keurig giveaway – it’s the Keurig Elite B40 – and I’d LOOOOVE to win. Feel free to enter but if you win, you have to promise to share a cup with me someday. =) Yep – there are lots of entries already, but you can’t win if you don’t enter!

5 Minutes for Giveaways has one. incredible. giveaway right now. You have to go enter! They are giving an HP TouchSmart 600 computer away and you have an opportunity to NOMINATE someone else to receive a 2nd one!!! Talk about a SERIOUS Christmas gift. This offer ends December 1 so GET entered now. It has a flat touch screen – 23″ – that can be hung on the wall if you want! Holy cow! Read the post to get all the info on how to enter.

Visit the North Pole to experience the fun of Santa Claus. No – he isn’t the reason for the season, but you’ll find great recipes, fun games and more on this site.

If you celebrate the Christian season of Advent, this is a great site. If you want to learn more, you’ll find all kinds of details, including the definitions and meanings of all aspects of Advent.

Here is a sneak peek at an EXCLUSIVE package for Bath & Body Works during Black Friday weekend – exciting details & other coupons from Consumer Queen!

Okay – that ought to keep you all busy. =) Have a great day.

Category: Contests & Giveaways, Holidays Tags: contests, giveaways, holiday resources, Holidays One Comment

Nov

Favorite Pie of the Year

queenmommy

Before we got married, my husband let it slip that he loves sweet potato pie. I began a search to find a great recipe that I could surprise him with. I tried a couple before I found the one that knocked his socks off. I even modified it a bit, and when I make it for him, he gets this “I-will-love-you-forever” look in his eyes. The way to a man’s heart is DEFINITELY his stomach!

Sweet Potato Pie – My version

2 9″ pastry shells, unbaked
1 lb fresh sweet potatoes, cooked and peeled
1/2 cup butter
1 can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp mace
2 tsp vanilla
1/8 tsp salt
2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In large mixing bowl, beat hot sweet potatoes with butter until smooth. Add remaining ingredients except pie shells. Mix well. Pour into pie shells. Bake 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool. Serve with whipped cream.

Category: Recipes Tags: Dessert, Holidays, Pie, Sweet Potatoes, Thanksgiving Leave a Comment

Nov

How do you Celebrate?

queenmommy

With the holiday season right around the corner (and by “Holiday Season” – I do mean Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years) – how are you planning to celebrate?

Are any of these holidays YOUR favorite holiday of the year?

What is your favorite family tradition for any or all of these holidays?

What is your favorite food item of the holidays – that you just can’t do without or the day just doesn’t seem “right?” Do you make it or does someone else make it?

Do you celebrate any traditions or rituals differently as an adult now than you did as a child?

What traditions did you keep from childhood and incorporate into your family now?

Honestly – I’m interested in getting your input. Please feel free to share as much or as little as you’d like.

Category: Uncategorized Tags: Celebrations, family traditions, Holidays Leave a Comment

Nov

How I Cook A Turkey

queenmommy

I haven’t had to cook a turkey for several years – my mom or mother-in-law have been hosting for the last few years, and I’ve not had to bring the main course.

But I used to make turkey for Thanksgiving get togethers with friends, and I really enjoyed it.

I never even used a recipe. I watched a lot of Food Network, and tried to keep things simple. Here’s what I used to make a really good Thanksgiving Turkey.

Thanksgiving Turkey

Turkey, whatever size you need
Roasting Bag – appropriate size for chosen turkey
Butter
Ground Sage
Poultry Seasoning
Salt
Pepper
Flour

After thawing the turkey in the fridge, removing all the innards, and trimming where necessary, I would rub the entire bird down with butter. Sometimes I’d try to get a little butter under the skin, but if I was in a hurry, I just rubbed it all over. Then I’d sprinkle it with ground sage (probably about 1 tsp for an 8 lb bird) – which has such a lovely, complementary flavor for turkey. I’d sprinkle on a little poultry seasoning, and also some salt and pepper.

When using a roasting bag, the instructions tell you to add about 2 Tbsp. of flour – this keeps the bag from bursting, and also helps create the base for a yummy gravy.

I always cooked it according to the roasting bag’s package directions (which is one reason I used the roasting bag in the first place!) I never had to baste it or worry about it burning.

The turkey ALWAYS came out moist and delicious – and the spices worked together to make a great gravy. You could always use a little cayenne pepper if you like a little heat with your turkey, but I never needed it.

The next time I make a Thanksgiving Turkey, this is the way I will prepare it. =)

Category: Recipes Tags: Holidays, Thanksgiving, Turkey 3 Comments

Oct

Holiday Cranberry Spread

queenmommy

This recipe came from a really dear friend of mine. She made this during the holiday season at work, and I knew I had to have the recipe! When I read the ingredients, I couldn’t believe they could combine to create such a lovely appetizer!

Holiday Cranberry Spread

1 16 oz bag fresh cranberries, rinsed, sorted
1 orange, seeded and peeled
1 red apple, cored and peeled
1 jalapeno, seeded and deveined
1 cup sugar
1 8 oz block cream cheese

In small food processor, pour cranberries, orange, apple, jalapeno and sugar. (Be very careful when handling jalapeno and make sure to avoid your eyes and wash your hands after handling.) Mix until thorougly blended. It may be necessary to mix in parts depending on the size of your food processor. Store in refrigerator for 24 hours.

One hour before serving, soften cream cheese and spread into bottom of glass pie pan. Spread half cranberry mixture over cream cheese, cover and return to refrigerator.

Serve with a variety of crackers. (Our favorites are Keebler Townhouse crackers!)

Makes enough spread for 2 blocks of cream cheese, but would also make a lovely side (like cranberry sauce) for turkey or ham.

Category: Recipes Tags: appetizers, Holidays 4 Comments