Melanie - December 19, 2008 - Comments (2)
I'm about to give y'all the best gift you'll receive this Christmas.
A recipe for incredibly rich and delicious toffee. One bite of it will seriously make you want to get up and have yourself some church right in your kitchen.
And, no, I'm not exaggerating.
Well, maybe a little bit.
I make an untold number of batches of this every year because it's easy, the mailman loves it and it keeps forever so I don't have to rush it over to anyone's house before it gets stale.
Of course, the same thing can be said for a fruitcake, but no one actually wants a fruitcake, whereas people will become your friend just so they can have some homemade toffee.
Toffee
1 c. chopped pecans
1 c. sugar
1 c. butter
1/4 c. water
12 oz. chocolate chips
Line a 9×13 pan with foil, butter the foil. Spread pecans on the foil. Mix sugar, water and butter in a skillet. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly until caramel colored. Pour over pecans. Spread chocolate chips over mixture. Wait until it cools and break into pieces. Eat until you make yourself sick.
Run, don't walk to your grocery store and make some today. You won't regret it and it might even get you an upgrade on your Christmas present from your husband.
Sophie - December 11, 2008 - Comments (6)
I just made the weirdest sandwich-type thing ever for supper, and it was so oddly and unexpectedly delicious that I marched straight to this computer as soon as I was finished so that I could tell you all about it.
I KNOW! I'm a giver like that.
(Plus, Melanie is in Houston tonight listening to Beth Moore's teaching and Travis Cottrell's singing, and normally I would just call her about four times to talk about what we ate for supper, but since she would probably prefer to have some uninterrupted praise and worship time, I'm gonna "call" the internet instead.)
(I just appreciate y'all being here more than you know.)
(Anyhoo.)
I found this recipe when I was looking for something different to take to a Christmas party (as much as I adore chocolate, my sweet tooth gets a little worn out this time of year), and since I thought these wraps would be mostly savory with just a hint of sweet to remind you that HEY! IT'S CHRISTMAS! WE MUST NOT ABANDON THE SUGAR!, I decided to give them a try.
And I found them to be delightful.
from Southern Living
Festive Turkey Roll-Ups
6 (8-inch) flour tortillas
1/2 cup hot pepper jelly with red jalapeño peppers
1/2 cup red raspberry preserves
3/4 cup Ranch vegetable dip (I mixed half a package of Ranch dip mix with 8 oz. of sour cream)
12 thinly sliced turkey breast slices, halved
1 bunch green leaf lettuce
1 1/2 cups (6 oz.) shredded Colby Jack cheese
- Mix together Ranch dip ingredients.
- Microwave tortillas on HIGH 10 to 15 seconds, and set aside.
- Stir together jelly and preserves.
- Spread 2 Tbsp. Ranch dip on 1 side of each tortilla. Top each tortilla with 4 turkey slice halves, and spread with 2 1/2 Tbsp. jelly mixture. Top tortillas evenly with lettuce and cheese.
- Roll up tortillas; wrap with plastic wrap. Chill up to 8 hours.
We cut a couple of roll-ups in half and ate them like sandwiches, and y'all, THEY WERE TASTY. Plus, you've got the red of the preserves next to the green of the lettuce, so they really ARE "festive" turkey wraps.
Oh, I adore a theme.
Enjoy, everybody - and have a wonderful weekend!
Sophie - November 17, 2008 - Comments (7)
There's something about cold weather that makes me want to read non-stop. And when I'm reading, you can find me one of two places in our house: in our den or in our guest room. Both places just feel cozy to me - and a big down coverlet ensures that I am as snug as a bug in a rug while I'm poring through whatever has my attention. I also like to remain wide-open to the possibility of napping in between chapters. I feel it's good to have options.
And there's one other thing that makes reading / Bible study time even more special when it's chilly outside: apple tea. I love it so much. My mama's friend Mary John makes one of the best versions I've ever tried, and in addition to tasting great, it makes your whole house smell absolutely divine.
Mary John's Apple Tea
1 qt. cider
1 cup cranberry juice
1/2 cup dark brown sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
8 whole cloves
1/4 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Heat until it boils, then reduce heat until ready to serve.
Now obviously we talk a whole bunch about books, authors and Bible studies here on AllAccess, but I'm curious: do you have a special place you like to "settle in" when you read or have your quiet time? Are there things you do to make that time especially relaxing? Do you have a special routine you like to follow?
And don't worry - I'll snuggle up under a comfy blanket before I read your comments. That only seems right. No apple tea today, though - just diet Coke. I'm pacing myself for the holidays, you see.
Have a great Tuesday, y'all!
My mama is my favorite cook in the world.
And if you should happen to be at her house when she's cooking a summertime dinner (we call lunch "dinner" in the South. I have no explanation for this. But I find that when Southern food-related traditions are in question, it's better just to smile real big, help yourself to seconds, say something along the lines of "laws-a-mercy, this is tasty," and roll with it), you will rise up from the table and call her blessed.
You might even call her "Mama" in the hopes that she'll claim you as her own and then cook you a big ole supper on your birthday.
And if you're lucky, that birthday supper will include squash casserole, fresh butterbeans, and some form of made-from-scratch cake, NOT THAT I HAVE DISTINCT MAMA-MENU PREFERENCES OR ANYTHING.
But since it's summertime and cranking up the oven ranks right up there with gluing the tips of your fingers to the inside of a door frame and then slamming the accompanying door repeatedly, I asked Mama to pick a couple of her favorite summertime recipes to share with y'all. They'd be perfect dishes to serve if you have your friends and family over for "dinner" or supper.
They'd also be great to serve to your Bible study buddies. Because it's always nice to fortify yourself with a little Southern sustenance before you dig into the Word.
Oh, I kid.
Sort of.
And I'll go ahead and tell you: Mama's chicken salad is a huge family favorite. I've actually seen my brother eat it straight out of the bowl WITH A WOODEN SERVING SPOON.
And after you eat it? You'll want to offer up a handclap of praise. Oh yes you will.
Mama's Chicken Salad
4 whole chicken breasts cooked with salt, pepper and celery sticks
Juice of 2 lemons
2 small jars of sweet pickle relish
2 small cans of crushed pineapple
2 stalks of fresh celery, chopped fine
1 1/2 cups of walnuts or pecans
1 cup of Hellman's mayonnaise (I use a little bit more because I'm a fan of mayonnaise. And I also use Blue Plate instead of Hellman's because I prefer it, but please don't tell Mama, SHE WILL THINK I HAVE RURNT IT ALL)
1 tablespoon of powdered curry (stirred into mayonnaise)
Chop cooled chicken into small pieces and pour lemon juice over all. Add all ingredients, stir until mixed well, and refrigerate for at least 24 hours. Serve on lettuce leaf or with assorted crackers.
Believe you me: there is not a cracker in this world that wouldn't consider it an honor to be paired with Mama's chicken salad.
Best Pasta Ever
1 pound rotini pasta
1 cup sun dried tomatoes
2 cups sliced cucumbers
1/2 cup red onion
2 small cans of sliced ripe olives
1 8 oz. bottle of Kraft Caesar salad dressing
1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
Cover tomatoes with water and boil for about 12 minutes or until tender. Drain, chop into small pieces, and set aside.
Cook rotini according to package directions, then drain and let cool.
Mix all ingredients together (GENTLY!), then chill in refrigerator overnight. This is even more yummy the second and third days - if you can keep it around that long.
So what about you? Are there any summertime food favorites in your family?
We'd love to hear about them in the comments.
And if you wanted to share a link to a recipe, we wouldn't mind that, either.
Not one little bit.
Because we're selfless like that.
Melanie
Melanie
Sophie
Sophie
Pam
Pam
Paige
Paige
Kris
Kris