Ending the Insanity of Holiday Gift-Giving
sameboat
10 years ago
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emma
10 years agojannie
10 years agoRelated Discussions
Holiday food gifts
Comments (30)I've made Ann T's cream cheese danish a couple of times, it's easy to substitute an artificial sweetener in the cream cheese filling for my diabetic father I always make her Cream Cheese Brandied Cherry Balls for Amanda and lots of fudge, but the thing that everyone likes the best is the maple butter twist, kind of like a cinnamon roll, but twisted into a wreath. Everyone loves it. Sometimes I drizzle it with maple glaze or a white glaze and decorate with cherries. Sometimes not, depending on my mood but everyone loves them. Maple Butter Twists INGREDIENTS 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°) 1/2 cup warm milk (110° to 115°) 1/4 cup butter, melted 2 eggs, beaten 3 tablespoons sugar 1-1/2 teaspoons salt 3-1/4 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour FILLING: 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 cup maple syrup 1/4 cup butter, softened 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon maple flavoring DIRECTIONS In a large mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the milk, butter, eggs, sugar, salt and 2 cups flour; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide in half. Roll each portion into a 14-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Combine filling ingredients; spread over each rectangle to within 1/2 in. of edges. Roll up jelly-roll style, starting with a long side; pinch seam to seal. Place seam side down on greased baking sheets. With a sharp knife, cut each roll in half lengthwise; carefully turn cut sides up. Loosely twist strips around each other, keeping cut sides up. Shape into a ring and pinch ends together. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until browned. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool. Yield: 2 coffee cakes. I put the dough into my bread machine, my big one will handle a double batch. Shaping is done by hand, and I put each one on a pretty plate. I usually get those plates at the dollar store with a Christmas theme but sometimes I get something really special and the recipient can keep that plate. Annie...See MoreHoliday gifts, yes it's that time!
Comments (23)A couple people have asked about the rice pilaf. I'm going to have to play around with an exact recipe...not for ingredients but how to have somebody else re-create the finished product from the jar's ingredients. We eat/cook from a food storage program. Some of my ingredients are not in average American pantries (actually, a lot of my ingredients). Here's the basics of what I've got in mind though... Ingredients: 2-3 Teaspoons Organic Dried Butter Powder 1 Tablespoon Freeze-Dried Chopped Onions 1 Tablespoon Home Dehydrated Chopped Red Bell Pepper 1 Teaspoon Homemade Lemon Salt 1-1/2 Cups Long-Grain White Rice 1 Pinch Saffron A Pinch of Home Dehydrated Orange Zest 1 Bay Leaf 2-3 Tablespoons Freeze-Dried Peas 1/4 Cup Freeze-Dried Apricots, Diced 2 Tablespoons Chopped Pistachios Plus about 3-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth that the gift recepient will provide. I have to make this a few times to get the amount of liquid right. Needs to be enough to cook the rice plus rehydrate the veggies. When I make this type rice dish at home, I don't measure - just use a box of chicken broth & squeeze in enough liquid until it "looks" right. So, I've got to get it down to be more exact for a gift. Also have to play with the ingredient amounts to make sure there's enough but not too much to fit in the jar. Looks like we'll be having Med. Rice Pilaf for dinner soon. (smile) /tricia...See MoreNeed Ideas for Holiday Gift for Men
Comments (3)I make tool rolls....basically a rectangle of denim with bias tape on one end. Fold into uneven thirds with the bias taped end being the short one. Sew bias tape around the outside of the now squarish, and double item. Leave tape ends about 12" long at the beginning/ending spot. Sew channels in the end with the shorter pocket, for screwdrivers, wrenches, etc., roll it up and use the tape ends for ties. It will then fit in the motorcycle bag/storage and not rattle. I also make fabric insert/covers for plastic buckets, with pockets that hold gardening/home repair tools...the bucket part holds bigger items. Email me if you think I can make this clearer than mud!!! :^)...See MoreImportant remodeling advice....my holiday gift to you all....
Comments (3)begoniagirl, Welcome and I can't wait to see pictures! I found the laundry forum at the end of 2004 (not knowing then it was part of the GW Forums) and then found this decorating and the paint forum at the end of 2005. I found the kitchen and appliance forum at the end of 2006. I am now a regular and love giving advice, posting comments and sharing as well. The posters are more talented than many of the magazine pictures I see and pictures I see on other sites. We are blessed to have such generous and talented members....See Moreemma
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