Dessert -Almond Crunch

Christmas candies and cookies are so on the front lines now. This one was in the morning paper and looks like my kind of recipe. Easy!

ALMOND CRUNCH

12 double graham crackers

4 ounces sliced almonds (or 1 cup chopped pecans)

2 sticks butter

1/2 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a cookie sheet with foil. Place graham crackers on foil. Sprinkle almonds over the graham crackers. Bring butter and sugar to boiling point in heavy pan. Boil for 2 & 1/2 minutes. Pour over crackers and almonds. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes. Cool and break into pieces.

Dessert -Coconut Pound Cake

Here's a recipe that uses a cake mix. I have made it several times and love it. It is great to take to a Christmas party or for that matter any party.

COCONUT POUND CAKE

1 Duncan Hines butter recipe cake mix

1/2 cup sugar

3/4 cup oil

dash of salt

4 eggs

1 cup coconut

1 (8 oz) carton of sour cream

Mix all ingredients until smooth. Pour into a greased tube pan that has been sprinkled with sugar. NO FLOUR! Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour. It might not take a full hour so check cake at 45 minutes.

Appetizer -Vintage Cocktail Smokies

Can't have a Christmas party without the cocktail smokies. These little sausages will be a hit. My cousin's wife, Cindy, shared it with me. This recipe is quick and easy.

VINTAGE COCKTAIL SMOKIES

1 pkg. (1 lb.) cocktail-size smoked sausages

1 and 1/2 c. red wine

1 c. barbecue sauce

1 c. grape jelly

Place smoked sausages with wine in a bowl-cover and refrigerate overnight. Combine all ingredients in a sauce pan. Heat at a slow boil for 5 min. Serve from chafing dish.

Drink -Spice Tea Recipe #2

My cousin's wife, Tammy, shared this spice tea recipe with me. It is a little different from the other one posted. This would make a sweet little mixture in a jar for a teacher or friend, paired with a teacup and saucer or even a mug.

SPICE TEA

2 & 1/2 cups sugar

2 cups Tang

1/2 cup Instant Tea

1 & 1/2 cups lemonade

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. ground cloves

Mix the above ingredients together, it makes a lot. Save in a sealed container. When ready to serve add 2 or 3 tablespoons to hot water for a delicious cup of spice tea.

Dip -Shrimp Dip

Christmas gatherings are starting and easy recipes are in need. I have this shrimp dip recipe that will fit the occasion.

SHRIMP DIP

1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese

1 (3 oz) pkg. cream cheese with chives

2 or 3 tablespoons mayo. depending on how thin you want this dip

1 can shrimp (devained)

Put in blender and blend

Serve with your choice of crackers

Dessert -Paula Deen's Buttery Pistachio Brittle

I love brittle, it's like popcorn to me. One bite isn't enough. I found this Paula Deen's buttery pistachio brittle recipe. I thought during Christmas it would be a great idea to make some.

BUTTERY PISTACHIO BRITTLE

Makes about 2 1/2 pounds

3 cups sugar

1 & 1/2 cups water

1 cup light corn syrup

2 cups shelled pistachios

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon orange extract

1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter

Butter 2 large baking sheets; set aside

In a large Dutch oven, combine sugar, water, and corn syrup. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until mixture reaches 232 degrees F. on a candy thermometer.

Stir in pistachios. Cook, stirring constantly until mixture reaches 300 degrees F. on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat, and stir in baking soda, extract, and butter, stirring until butter melts. Quickly pour 1/2 of mixture onto each prepared baking sheet; spread to 1/4-inch thickness. Cool completely. Break into pieces.

Fitness-Body Works

I found this site that has 4 different routines. I am trying to watch what I am eating during the holidays and it is so hard. So I am trying to keep up my exercising that I hate. These routines might help me and thought others may want to exercise too.

Dessert -Peanut Buttery Chocolaty Cups

Love Paula Deen's recipes and this is one I found in a magazine. It looks good for a Christmas treat.

PEANUT BUTTERY CHOCOLATY CUPS

This makes about 10 dozen

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

1 cup creamy or crunchy peanut butter

1 cup graham cracker crumbs

2 cups confectioners' sugar

1 pound chocolate almond bark, melted and divided

In a medium bowl, combine butter, peanut butter, cracker crumbs, and sugar, stirring well. Spoon 1 teaspoon melted chocolate into bottom of a miniature-sized paper baking liner. Let cool. Press 1 teaspoon peanut butter mixture over chocolate, pressing to edges of liner. Spoon melted chocolate over peanut butter to cover. Let cool. Repeat procedure with remaining chocolate and peanut butter mixture.

Dessert -Paula Deen's Pineapple Upside-Down Biscuits

This is Paula Deen's sweet biscuit recipe that she might serve for breakfast or a side to a holiday dinner. I love watching Paula Deen and also trying her wonderful recipes.

PINEAPPLE UPSIDE-DOWN BISCUITS

1 (10-ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained, juice reserved

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup (1/2 stick)butter, at room temperature

10 maraschino cherries

1 (12-ounce) package refrigerated buttermilk biscuits (10 count)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease 10 cups of a muffin tin.

In medium bowl, combine pineapple, sugar, and butter, and mix well. Divide pineapple mixture among the muffin cups. Place a cherry in the center of each muffin cup. Place one biscuit in each cup on top of pineapple mixture. Pour about 1 teaspoon pineapple juice over each biscuit.

Bake 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden.

Eat Gourmet By Mail-Order

I saw this article that shared many of New York City's gourmet shops that would ship right to our home. What a great holiday gift or to make entertaining easier. I paid attention to several of the ones mentioned and wanted to share them with you. One was Jacques Torres Chocolate Haven which offers all-natural, handmade bonbons with no preservatives. Another one that caught my eye was Zabar's offering distinctive foodstuffs and custom-roasted coffee. One more that I jotted down was Yonah Schimmel Knish Bakery offering handmade knishes filled with potato or other filling. They all sounded wonderful, but I have never experienced any of their foods. This mail order idea sounds rather nice about now.