Pizzelles

I made these today, obviously a skill I will need practice with! I made them half anise & half chocolate. The chocolate did not turn out well at all, so I gave up on them. I'll be frying the batter on a pan & calling it pancakes!!! Guess if I'm gonna do them next year I should pick up a new modern iron! Mine was my Aunt's & I'm pretty sure its from the 50s...

PIZZELLES

6 eggs
3 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter, melted
4 tsp. baking powder
2 tbsp. vanilla
2 tbsp. anise (opt.)

Mix everything but the flour together until creamy. Then add flour
gradually; mix well. This dough will be sticky. Drop teaspoon or so
on hot pizzelle iron.

CHOCOLATE PIZZELLES:

1/2 c. cocoa
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder

Plus above regular ingredients (do not use anise). Follow instructions above.

Carnival of the Recipes

Carnival of the Recipes is up at Everything & Nothing.

Looks like a fantastic Holiday Open House, can't wait to mingle.

Christmas Cut Outs

*** UPDATED 12/7/08****

This is another old recipe from a friend of my Mom's. We usually frost these with a powdered sugar/water/almond extract/food coloring glaze. This year I am going to give Royal Icing a go!

Cut-Outs

1 1/2 cup Powdered sugar
1 cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp cream of tarter

1. Cream sugar, butter, egg & extracts.
2. Add flour & cream of tarter
3. Chill 2 hours
4. Roll out on floured surface, 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch thick, cut out with floured cookie cutters
5. Bake 375 for 7-8 minutes on a greased cookie sheet.

Recipe is easily doubled or tripled depending on your needs!

Chocolate Italian Cookies

This recipe was given to my Mom by a good friend. I don't follow it to the letter, I don't use lard, I use shortening (sometimes half shortening half margarine). I also add more than called for spices, I like them spicy! I also replace the raisins with chocolate chips (even though I like it better with raisins). I also top them with a simple powdered sugar & water glaze.

8c flour
1 1/4 c sugar
12 TBS cocoa
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Cloves (Ground)
1 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Ginger
1 tsp Allspice
1 1/2 tsp Soda
1 1/2 c lard
2 c raisins
1 c nuts
2 TBS Vanilla
1 3/4 to 2 c Milk

Sift dry ingredients, cut in lard. Add milk as needed, add vanilla.
Knead 4 minutes, roll in medium balls. Bake 12 min @ 350.

9 to 10 DZ

Boneless Prime Rib Roast

I just picked up our Christmas Roast a beautiful 10 pound boneless Prime Rib Roast. I am now scouring the internet for the best cooking method. Boy are there some varied opinions out there!

I know in years past we tried the Cook at 500 degrees for 15 minutes then cut back to 325 or 350. The roast was nice & juicy. But I have read more recipes just recommending the 350 to start with. Now that I will have a probe themometer I will be able to acheive the perfect internal temperature of 135 degrees. Then letting it rest for 15 minutes should get it to the medium rare we love!

I am going to buy some Au Jus so I don't have to make some while everyone is waiting to eat. I will save the drippings for the next time though!

I haven't decided on the best side dishes, but I know I am also doing a spiral ham. Aldi has a nice one & it's not that pricey. So sides need to go with both. I have plenty of canned sweet potatoes left & some beautiful large white potatoes. Of course my husbands sisters are going to want to bring dishes too.

I'm sure I'll make bread & some desserts, besides the cookies!

Guess I'd better get back to surfing!

Perfect Pizza Crust

Whipped this recipe up last night!

3 cups bread flour
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1 T instant yeast
1 T sugar
1 T vegetable oil
1 1/2 cups warm water

Tossed it all in the stand mixer let it knead for 5 minutes. Sprayed the dough with cooking spray & let it rise for 45 minutes. Punched it down and rolled it out onto our 16" pizza pan. It would be enough for 2 smaller sized pizzas but we like our crust thick.

I let the dough rest on the pan while I got the toppings ready. First I sprinkle the crust with a little sugar, then spread some tomato sauce over it. Then the Mozzarella, pepperoni & sliced mushrooms. I baked it at 425 for just about 20 minutes (only because the crust was so think!), I kept an eye on it checking it after the 15 minute point.

The dough made a really nice crust. I usually prefer Olive Oil in my crusts but we are out, so I used veg oil & I wasn't disappointed!

Cookie Time

I have already mixed the wet ingredients for my PB Kiss Cookies I just need to find a container large enough to mix in the dry. Some one stole my stockpot... I have been stocking up on kisses during the CVS sales, I have 3 bags now & 3 more are on my list for this week (big bags have extra care bucks this week)

I will also be making cutouts with royal icing & Italian Chocolate cookies, recipes to come soon!