Christmas Eve Cinnamon Rolls

These cinnamon rolls bake up nice and full.  They are filled with raisins and brown sugar  and are oh so good!

                                              1 Tbsp. yeast

                                                 1 1/2 c. warm water

                                                1 1/2 Tbsp. sugar

                                                   1 Tsp. salt

                                                   4-5  cups flour

                                                    3 Tbsp. vegetable oil

                                                 1 egg, 

separated

                                                                    Filling 

                                                                3/4 c. Sugar

                                                             2 Tbsp. Ground Cinnamon

                                                                2 tablespoons butter, melted

                                                                      1 Cup of Raisins

                                                                                     Icing 

                                                                         1 cup powdered sugar

                                                                              1 tsp vanilla

                                                                                  1 tbs milk

 Combine yeast, water, and sugar in large mixing bowl and allow to stand 10 minutes or until bubbly. Add salt, vegetable oil, and egg yolk (set white aside for later) and combine. Add 3 c. flour and mix well until combined. Add enough remaining flour to make a soft dough that barely sticks to your finger. Knead for another 2-3 minutes. Cover and allow to rise 1 hour 45 minutes. When the dough has risen,  roll it out on a lightly floured surface into a large rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Brush the dough with the reserved egg white to moisten it. Then combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle it over the dough, drizzle the melted butter over that, and then top with the raisins

Roll the dough up and cut into 1 inch thick pieces putting into muffin pan as you go.  Allow to rise for 20 minutes more.

Preheat oven to 350 and bake for about 12 minutes.  Top with icing rite after you remove from pan.

Beautiful Christmas Cookies

  I went to a cookie swap recently and I made these jelly flower cookies.  They not only look great, they taste great too!

Ingredients

Strawberry jelly

1 1/2 cups softened butter

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 Tsp. vanilla 

5 cups flour

2 Tsp baking powder

1 Tsp salt

Royal icing

2 egg yolks

1 Tsp lemon juice

2 cups powdered sugar + enough to thicken to desired consistency 

( whip until stiff)

Cream together butter and sugar until smooth.  Add eggs and remaining ingredients.  Chill for at least an hour, overnight is best.

Preheat oven to 375 and roll cookies into 1/2 inch thick.  Cut using flower shaped cookie cutter.  

Using a large round marble ( or any round object small enough) press into center of cookie.  Place dallop of jelly into the center of the cookie.  Bake for 6-8 minutes.  Let cool completely.

Put royal icing into piping bag and outline each cookie!  

Everyone really enjoyed these.  They stay soft , chewy and really stand out!

Super Soup

This is my favorite soup to make in the winter months, especially if I am feeling a little under the weather.  It is packed with vitamins and makes you feel oh so good!

1 Can garbanzo beans

1 whole bunch of spinach

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 Tbs red curry paste

2 Cloves garlic

Salt and pepper to taste

Shredded cheese ( I usually put Feta on it but I was out)

Mix ingredients and simmer, when hot pour into bowls and top with cheese.  This recipe is really easy and really good!

Rhubarb oatmeal cobbler

I love love love this recipe!!  It is so good, especially with ice cream. I have frozen rhubarb from the summer and  felt like baking something up.  

 

Crust

1  Cups rolled oats

1/2 Cup quinoa

1 Cup brown sugar, packed

1/4 Tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups flour

1 cup Butter

1/4 Tsp vanilla

Filling

3 Cups chopped rhubarb

1 1/2 cups sugar

2 Tbs cornstarch

1/4 cup water

1 Tsp. vanilla

Combine crust mixture until crumbly and pat half of it into a greased cake pan.  Bring the contents of the filling to a boil and pour on top.  Top with remaining crust mixture. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.

Easy Refrigerator Pickles

2 Medium cucumbers

10 Cloves garlic

3 Thai peppers

1 Small onion

20 Sprigs fresh dill

1/2 Cup salt

1 Cup vinegar

2 Quarts water

Put 1/2 of the dill the garlic and onion in the jar.  Put spear sliced cukes in, than the peppers and the rest of the dill on top.  Bring the water, vinegar and salt to a boil until salt is dissolved.  Pour enough to fill the jar covering the cucumbers.  Let sit 2 days on the counter than 2 days in fridge.  Lasts 9 months to a year.

My husband and I tried one the same night and were pleasantly surprised!  

ENJOY!

OH MY DOG!!!!...........BONES

AHHHHH!!!

  I have never seen so many dog bones in my life!  Do you have a special pet that deserves something delicious this holiday season?  Get them COHO CRUNCHIES.  There smoked salmon snacks for your pups and cats!  My mother-in-law and I came up with a dog bone recipe containing real smoked salmon and all natural ingredients!  They are available at the Kodiak Island Smokehouse located on Millbay.  They have awesome Christmas gift packs available too!

Orange Cinnamon Pancakes

These Pancakes are so delicious, especially on a cold winter morning.  The aroma of cinnamon and orange makes me so happy!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4  Tsp baking powder
• 1 Tsp salt
• 1 Ttbs white sugar
•  1/4 cups milk
• 1 cup orange juice 
• 2 Tsp cinnamon
• 1 egg
• 3 Tbs melted butter

Mix together ingredients and fry in oil.  Top with whipped cream and additional cinnamon