Monthly Cooking Thread - Christmas Edition 2019

[bgill]

I was thinking putting them on a gas burner like you would peppers or under the oven broiler. Let cool and take the skins off like peppers.

Found this - https://www.allrecipes.com/article/how-make-roasted-tomatoes-4-easy-ways/

[trisham]

Christmas eve with Mr. T and his family has always been seafood.

[Jamestown1630]

We’re having spaghetti with special Christmas Sauce on Christmas day. My husband grew up with that tradition, but we’ve never done it since we married. I’m kind of looking forward to it.

[trisham]

I love traditional foods on holidays. Mr. T likes having a roast of some kind on Christmas day.

[Jamestown1630]

Well, in my husband’s Italian family, that WAS tradition. And I don’t think the sauce, with three kinds of meat, was made, other than for Christmas and very special occasions. :-)

[trisham]

You may have to share that recipe! :)

[Jamestown1630]

I don’t think there IS a recipe - they did it for so many generations that they grew up learning it by a sort of osmosis.

When my FIL was alive, he would plant hundreds of tomato plants; and in August the entire clan would get together to ‘make sauce’. I think they canned 500 quarts in their peak year.

For ‘Christmas Sauce’, they use sweet Italian sausage, beef chunks, and pepperoni. Everything is ‘eyeballed’ - and husband says that if you don’t have the ‘Family Tomato Sauce’, it’s useless to even try :-)

They had the spaghetti and sauce at the noon Christmas meal; and in the evening they had home-made vegetable soup and hoagies.

On Christmas Eve: Pizza.

(This is all sort of wonderful for me - for at least a few days, we’ll be off the ‘Low Carb’ mania :-)

But I will watch on Christmas Eve, when he starts the sauce process, and be sure to relay any secrets!

[trisham]

Thanks, friend! :)

[lizma2]

Found one that uses Better Than Bullion Lobster Base.

Really? Lobster?

Major BTB low sodium fan. Never saw lobster. Wish I did.

[lizma2]

That is so weird I really have to try it!

But no way can I use 6 cups of powder sugar.

[Jamestown1630]

Chef John of ‘Food Wishes’ has posted a recipe for ‘chocolate covered chocolate’ - otherwise known as ‘truffles’; looks easy and fast enough for a last-minute Christmas gift:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMNhRROsHs0

[sweetiepiezer]

If anyone likes fruitcake,( I know, I know. )

Costco has the best fruitcake for 15 bucks.

It is delicious and keeps for months in the freezer sliced and properly wrapped.

[sweetiepiezer]

I love fruitcake, heated with butter

My Mom in Canada used to frost her fruitcake with an almond frosting.

[sweetiepiezer]

Hubby and I love mincemeat!!
^5!

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

You work it in until the dough is stiff but not crumbly.

If it takes less then use less. I have used as little as three. Six is the maximum I have ever used which is why I always have that amount on hand before starting.

Nothing worse then getting half way into a dish and discovering you have to run to the store to finish.

[Jamestown1630]

Fruitcake is so dense we never eat one up fresh, and always save slices in the freezer to eat throughout the year.

There are moments when it’s exactly the right snack.

[Flaming Conservative]

I just made some tonight. Who knew granny Smith apples would cook down to applesauce? I sure didn't! I made one to take to church tomorrow. Hope the texture's not offputting. 😦

[lizma2]

“Nothing worse then getting half way into a dish and discovering you have to run to the store to finish.”

LOL! Preplan better these days but remember those days!

[Liz]

Italian Chef Notes: When fruits are not perfectly ripe and sweet, just poach in simple syrup a few minutes.

MASCARPONE MOUSSE/ FIG TOPPING

PREP Elec/mixer smooth ricotta, mascarpone, 3 tb sugar. Set aside. Separately, elec/mixer egg whites, tb sugar to soft peaks.

ASSEMBLY Spatula/fold whites gently into ricotta. Divide among four dessert cups. Cover/fridge an hour.

SERVE Garnish w/ sliced figs; can also sprinkle w/ cookies or nuts.

ING 1/2 cup ea ricotta, drained, mascarpone at room temp, 1/4 cup sugar, 3 egg whites

TOPPING OPTIONS: fresh figs, pears, apricots or plums. Chp amaretti, chp pistachios, sliced almonds.

[MomwithHope]

I'm going through my OLD treat recipes and think I will make these for a treat tray we are bringing to a Christmas dinner.

Fat Free Truffles

1/2 cup fat free cream cheese -room temp
1/2 cup coco powder plus 2 tsp.
1 cup powdered sugar
1.2 tsp. almond extract

Mix all except the 2 tsp. cocoa powder. Make into little balls, roll in the 2 tsp. cocoa powder. Chill and serve. Easy. Given to me by a friend 30+ years ago.