What holiday food does your family ask for?

[Blondie Gal]

In 1929, when my mother took home economics in high school, she learned to make an uncooked fondant candy, dipped in chocolate and topped with a pecan half, called 'Martha Washington Candy.' When I was a little girl, I would sit at the kitchen table and watch her roll out, dip and top each little ball, fascinated with the process. I've made this candy, along with different kinds of fudge (dark, milk & white chocolate), since I was in high school. Last Christmas time, I showed my young granddaughter the process, and we'll do it again this year. Relatives, friends and neighbors ask for my candy every year - what's YOUR story?

[Doc]

Learned an Old German recipe in the early 80's from an 'Ol co-workers Grandmother...ao every year now I make the Corned Beef Dip for the Holidays...1/2 Lb of Lean Corned Beef
(shredded...I use the Food Processor), 1 1/2 cups Sour Cream, 1 cup Mayo (I use low fat for both), 3 tblsp Parsley, 1 tblsp Dill...all mixed and floated in a hollowed out round Rye or Pumpernickel...usually use another cut up Round of either Bread (cubed into about 1 inch squares for dipping)...you won't find it on a Weight Watchers or Jenny Craig diet but it's really tasty!

Ed

[Blondie Gal]

OMG - I love corned beef and this sounds absolutely wonderful! Thanks for a new idea!

[Nana]

Besides the traditional turkey, corn bread stuffing, and all the fixin's (including homemade pies, of course) the biggest long-standing tradition in our home is making tons of homemade fudge which is given for gifts to friends and family ... if it actually makes it out of the house! Mike and the kids used to make it every Christmas as gifts for their teachers all through school, and the kitchen was a riotous mess of sweet chocolate and peanut butter everywhere! Now the grandkids love to make fudge with Papa, and so the tradition continues.......

Here is our recipe so you can add it to your tradition too. It is an easy recipe, but not one to "get creative" with -- follow the instructions exactly for never-fail, creamy deliciousness .

NOTES:

• don't try to make more than one recipe at a time or it is sure to fail! We usually have a pot for each recipe on each burner and each with a cook to stir it. Often we then swirl or layer two different flavors when we pour it into the dish to cool. Chocolate/Peanut Butter is always a favorite.
  
• use only the large marshmallows and count them out; we haven't been able to duplicate it by estimating or measuring the minis
  
• important to time the boiling for right at 2 minutes
  

INGREDIENTS:

1. 2 cups sugar
   
2. 2/3 cup evaporated milk (1 small can)
   
3. pinch of salt
   
4. 12 large marshmallows
   
5. 1/2 cup butter
   
6. 1 cup chocolate chips (may substitute peanut butter or butterschotch chips)
   
7. 1 square semi sweet chocolate
   
8. 1 cup nuts (optional)
   
9. 1 teaspoon vanilla
   

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Put ingredients 1-5 in a saucepan. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil (bubbling all over the top)
  
• Once it reaches a boil continue to stir and time it for 2 minutes
  
• Remove from heat
  
• Stir in ingredients 6-9 until completely melted
  
• Pour into buttered 8" square pan and allow to cool
  
• Cut into small squares
  

[tfdeputydawg]

My aunt always made simple sugar cookies but, put icing on them in various colors. Making them look like Christmas ornaments.
Mom always made the Christmas candy, Chocolate fudge, White divinity, Cinnamon flavor.
Both are gone now. Other relatives make the items not but, just not quite the same, if you know what I mean.
Must have turkey, oyster dressing, masked 'tators', creamed corn, green beans, cranberry sauce and pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving.
Bake pork tenderloin loaf, mashed 'tators, green beans cranberry sauce, sugar cream pie for Christmas.

[Blondie Gal]

It all sounds scrumptious! Don't know what 'sugar cream pie' is, though - do you have your family's recipe? Is that a family name or will I find it on the net? Mmmmmmmm....

(Found it! Sounds great - think I might try it before Turkey Day so I can get diabetes early!!!)

[Nana]

Blondie, I have a recipe for Buttermilk Pie that tastes almost exactly like Sugar Cream Pie. Heavenly! I'll email it to you.

[Blondie Gal]

10-q!!!

[Nana]

Nana, I'm sorry, what time did you say you were serving again at your house? I think I missed it.

Boy does this thread make me hungry.

So Wheels, what's your fave pie?

[Nana]

Well, there is almost certainly going to be pecan pie here at the holiday. Always is.... How do you think Mike keeps his figure??

[Boscoporp]

Hi Nana,

I think I helped with Mike's figure in Maggie Valley! Hahahahah

[GypsyAngel]

I have been gone for some time but would like to add my family recipe to this forum:

Momma always made two things at the Holidays: Easy Peanut Butter Bars and Punch.

Easy Peanut Butter Bars
2 cups Peanut Butter
2 cups Sugar
2 Eggs
1/4 cup milk

Mix everything together well, pat into deep cooking dish, bake at 350 degrees for 12 minutes. Turn off oven, lets stand for 5 minutes. Remove from oven, cut into 2 inch squares, serve.
OPTIONS: 1 bag chocolate chips or butterscotch chips or any kind of baking chips
1 cup nuts

PUNCH

1 each frozen juices (half thawed)
Orange Juice / Lemon or Lime Ade / Pineapple Juice
1 two liter Sprite or 7 up

OPTION: 1 fifth Southern Comfort.

[Nana]

Good to see you again, Gypsy Angel!!! (and congrats on the degree, BTW.... great job!)
I'm definitely going to try those Easy Peanut Butter Bars here. Seems my family loves treats with peanut butter in them.

[GypsyAngel]

Thank You Nana. They are really rich, the chips give them a whole new flavor. I have also melted a peppermint candy in the milk and changed the flavor more.
It is only to the cooks imagination as well as the tasters desires and likes.