Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Christmas Remembered

Well, this Christmas seems like a distant memory now- it came and went so quickly it almost seems as if it never happened. But I do have a beautiful new sewing machine to help jog my memory of the holiday. It has a computer and even embroiders! In fact... it's almost like cheating, not sewing. But I will surely get a lifetime's worth of use out of it. Among the many things given to me was something I will also cherish for a lifetime: my own personal copy of our "Jones Family Cookbook." It is a compilation of each family's favorite recipes as well as original recipes passed down through the ages. With the millions of recipes saturating the print and electronic media, I find it extremely helpful to know that my favorite version of even common dishes can be found right in my own kitchen cupboard. It's my ultimate-comfort-food manual! I'd like to share a few of my favorites... Give them a try if you feel so inspired!

SUPER CINCINNATI CHILI
- This is my favorite Cincy Chili recipe to date!
**1 qt. water (or beef broth), 2 lb ground beef or turkey (beef tastes better!), 1 tsp. cinnamon ,2 LG chopped onions, 1 toe garlic, 1 tsp black pepper, 1 TBS salt, 1 6-oz. can of tomato paste, 3 LG whole bay leaves, 1.5 oz. unsweetened Baker's chocolate, 1 tsp cumin, 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 TBS chili powder, 1/2 tsp red pepper, 1.5 tsp allspice, 1.5 TBS cider vinegar**
Crumble raw (do not brown) beef into water, add all ingredients except chocolate. Bring to coil, then simmer for 2.5-3 hours. Remove garlic toe and bay leaves. Add chocolate, stirring, and melt completely. Let simmer for another 30 minutes.

SURE-FIRE CORNFLAKE NO-BAKES

**12 oz. butterscotch chips, 1/2 cup peanut butter, 8 cups corn flakes**
In the top of a double boiler, melt the butterscotch chips and peanut butter. Mix together well and pour over the corn flakes. Toss lightly to coat flakes and drop mounds of mixture onto waxed paper. Let these globs cool for about 10 minutes. Then, with slightly moistened fingers, pinch these together to form individual cookies. Cool & enjoy.

ORANGE JELLO SALAD
**2 large cans of Mandarin orange, 1 large can of crushed pineapple, 1 small package of dry orange jello, 1 medium size carton of Cool Whip, 1lb. tub of small curd cottage cheese**

Drain oranges and pineapple. (This should drain overnight or at least until it's quite dry) Put fruit in a bowl and sprinkle dry jello over it. Mix well. Fold in Cool Whip. Add cottage cheese and blend well. Refrigerate several hours. Well worth the effort!

CHOCOLATE CREAM PIE with meringue crust
The Crust:
Beat 2 egg whites, 1/8 tsp salt, 1/8 tsp cream of tartar. Add 1/2 cup granulated sugar and beat until very stiff. Add 1/2 tsp vanilla. Fold in 1/2 cup chopped nuts, (pecans taste good.) Butter and flour the pie pan. Bake 55 minutes in 300 degree oven.
The Filling:
Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips. Add 2 TBS hot water, 1 tsp vanilla, then cool. Chill for several hours before eating.

2 comments:

  1. Nice to find your lovely blog! I see we have a common interest in Chicago and food, so thought I'd just say hi :)

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  2. Hi, Chicago City Girl! Thanks for the shout out!

    ReplyDelete