Christmas Cactus

About 8 years ago a friend game me a "Christmas Cactus" for my birthday.

I never imagined that it would survive the year,

but here we are several years later and the plant is absolutely amazing.

A Christmas Cactus is an ornamental cactus that can

flower red, pink or white buds.

Since my plant has lasted for several years I can attest to the

fact that the plant has minimal needs.

I water mine once every two weeks and it does have sun exposure.

And look what I get to enjoy:

Gorgonzola & Pear Galette

People have been so gracious by bringing baked goods to our office over the past

few weeks. It is really hard to pass by homemade cookies and cakes and so

I have not been that hungry for dinner when I get home.

Dinners the past few days have been very simple.

Only one or two small items - no pizzaz!

But then...........

I was inspired to make a Gorgonzola Cheese and Pear Galette after viewing

Mele Cotte

Gorgonzola Cheese and Pear Galette

Mix 1/4 cup of gorg0nzolla cheese & 2 tsp. honey.

Place the mixture in the center of a round rolled out pie crust

Then slice one small pear

Arranged the pears on the cheese, and folded up the dough

Bake the galette in a 375 degree F oven for 30 minutes.

The Galette turned out FABULOUS!!!!

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Tis the season to eat cookies

Fa-La-La-La-La-La-La-La-La…

I tried out this new recipe for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies .

1/2 cup vegetable oil

4 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate, melted and cooled
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
4 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup powdered sugar

1. Mix oil, chocolate, granulated sugar and vanilla in large bowl.

Mix in eggs, one at a time.

Stir in flour, baking powder and salt.

Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours.

2.Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease cookie sheet.

3. Drop dough by teaspoonfuls into powdered sugar;

roll around to coat. Shape into balls. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet.

4. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until almost no imprint remains

when touched lightly in center.

Remove from cookie sheet. Cool on wire rack.

Look at these beautiful cookies! Great with a glass of milk!

Tortellini Soup

It has been hard to get in the mood to cook soup this Winter.

Because it really has not been Winter here in Georgia.

Last week it felt like Spring with temperatures in the 70's.

Well, forget about the warm weather - I want to make soup!
Afterall, don't people go to restuarants in the summer

and order soup and sandwich? Of course they do!

Tortellini Soup

(with Chicken)

1 package of Cheese Tortellini

1 cup chicken ( cooked and chopped)

1 cup of green beans

1 8 oz can of diced tomatoes

1 /2 of an 8 oz can of Rotel

( only use whole can if you want soup to be spicy)

1 package of dry French onion soup mix

3- 4 cups chicken broth ( low sodium)

2 cups water

1 tbs basil

pinch of sugar

** 1 cup corn ( optional)

Also, if you would prefer you can add

ground beef ( cooked) instead of chicken.

Cook the chicken and chop into small pieces.

Then place all ingrediants, except the tortellini, into a crock pot or large pot.

Cook on low for two hours.

Add the tortellini 20 minutes prior to serving.

This is a quick, easy soup that taste great!

Holiday Fudge

The fudge I made back in September

turned out so well

( that is what people told me anyway)

that I decided to try another fudge recipe for the holidays.

Peppermint Fudge

1 and 1/2 cup chocolate chips
1 cup dark chocolate chips
1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 cup crushed candy canes for the top
Butter a 9 by 9-inch baking dish
Melt all the chocolate chips, and condensed milk in double boiler on medium heat.

Take the p0t off the heat and add the vanilla extract and mix.

Pour the mixture into the baking dish.

Put the crushed candy canes on the top of the fudge.

Place in the refrigerator until it hardens.

Cut into small pieces and serve to your friends!!

I think this batch of fudge is even better than the one I made in September.

I love the dark chocolate flavor.

I have decided to submit this recipe to

http://foodblogga.blogspot.com/

and to

http://foodblogga.blogspot.com/2007/11/christmas-cookies-from-around-world.html

Happy Holidays!!!

Sweeeet Potatoes

I really enjoy sweet potatoes.

I was making Salmon this weekend

with an almond coating and I thought sweet potatoes

would be a nice compliment to the fish.

Baked Sweet Potatoes

2-4 large sweet potatoes, sliced into thin rounds

1/2 - 3/4 cup melted butter

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 tablespoon of cinnamon

Place potatoes in a casserole dish.

Melt butter

Then mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.

Pour over potatoes.

Bake in oven at 400 degrees for about 30 minutes

or until the potatoes are tender.

SwEEEEEt Potatoes!

What is your favorite flavor?

WE love ice cream!

One of my husband's presents this year for his birthday

was a Cuisinart Ice Cream Maker.

There are so many great flavors that can be made.

My favorite flavor is Chocolate Mint Chip.

His favorite flavor is Dark Chocolate or Peanut Butter Chocolate.

Here is the recipe we used to make my favorite flavor ice cream.

Chocolate Mint Chip Ice Cream

1 1/2 cups of whole milk

3/4 cup chocolate syrup

3 tablespoons of granulated sugar

3 cups heavy cream

1 teaspoon of peppermint extract

1 cup chopped Andes candies

In medium bowl mix the milk, syrup and sugar until the sugar is dissolved,

about 2 or 3 minutes.

Stir in heavy cream and peppermint extract.

Turn on ice cream maker and pour mixture into freezer bowl.

Let mix until thickened, about 20 minutes.

Five minutes before complete, add the candies.

Transfer ice cream to airtight container and place in freezer until serving.

So easy to make and so good to eat!

Pomegranate

This week at work a Pomegranate came my way.

I know - yippeeee - a Pomegranate.

Well, I am sure you know what came to my mind.

The same thing you thought of when I said Pomegranate.

I say Pomegranate, you say martini,

pomegranate, martini,

pomegranate, martini!

Oprah's Pomegranate Martini
Serves 2

1 1/2 cups pomegranate juice
2 oz. Absolute Citron vodka OR white tequila
1 oz. Cointreau liquor
Cup of ice
Optional: Splash of sparkling water
Optional: Squeeze of lemon

Perfect!

Bacon and Eggs Anyone?

One of my colleagues brought this cute treat in on Friday.

Apparently, many people have heard of Bacon and Eggs

but this was new to me!

I took one home so I could share it with all of you.

Bacon and Eggs

White chocolate ( melted)

Yellow M&M's

Pretzel Sticks