As one three year old observed, “I don’t like the turkey very much, but I sure do like that bread he ate!”
The Christmas season is all about faith, home, family, love, and food. It’s true that we spend more time focusing on what we eat between Christmas and New Year’s than any other time of the year, but that’s when eating is the most fun! So I’ve decided to share a few of our family’s favorite recipes with you, all of which I’ve previously prepared. These recipes are time honored traditions with us! Several are precious reminders of my mom, who is gone home to be with the Lord. She was the heart of our home, and she was a superb cook. I pray that my life will always honor her memory and devotion to the Lord Jesus Christ….
BECKY’S FAMOUS MARTHA WASHINGTON CANDY
8 c. confectioners’ sugar, sifted
1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 c. flaked coconut
1 stick margarine, melted (butter doesn’t work as well)
3 c. chopped pecans
Mix all the ingredients together, shape into balls. Chill until HARD.
(I put them in the freezer)
Dipping Chocolate:
1 cake paraffin wax
12 oz. semi sweet (I use very dark) chocolate chips
Dip chilled balls into dipping chocolate with toothpicks, and let cool. Store in airtight containers.
If they soften for any reason, return them to the freezer to cool down, then dip.
MOM’S SWEET POTATO CASSEROLE (divinely decadent)
4 c. cubed sweet potato
1/2 c. white sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 t. salt
4 T. butter, softened
1/2 c. milk
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
1/3 c. all purpose flour
3 T. butter, softened
1/2 c. chopped pecans
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. (165 degrees C.) Put sweet potatoes in a medium saucepan with water to cover. Cook over medium high heat until tender; drain and mash.
In a large bowl mix together the sweet potatoes, sugar, eggs, salt, butter, milk, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Transfer to a 9 x 13 baking dish.
In medium bowl mix the sugar and flour. Cut in the butter until the mixture is coarse. Stir in the pecans. Sprinkle the mixture over the sweet potato mixture.
Bake in the preheated oven 30 minutes, or until the topping is lightly browned.
BEST HOLIDAY BREAD EVER (and I’m not kidding)
4 T. (1/2 stick) cold butter
2 c. all purpose flour
1 c. sugar
1 and 1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
3/4 c. fruit juice, like orange or apple, or milk
1 T. minced or grated orange or lemon zest
1 egg
1 c. any raw fruit or vegetable: small berries left whole~anything else peeled and grated or chopped (I have used zucchini and pumpkin)
1/2 c. walnuts or pecans, optional
Heat the oven to 350 degrees; Grease a 9 x 5 loaf pan.
Stir together the dry ingredients. Cut the butter into bits, then use a fork, pastry blender, or your fingers to cut it into the dry ingredients until there are no pieces bigger than a small pea.
Beat together the juice, zest, egg. Pour into the dry ingredients and mix just enough to moisten. Do not over mix. Fold in the fruit and nuts, then pour and spoon the batter into loaf pan.
Bake about an hour, or until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle comes out clean. Cool on rack about 15 minutes.
This is really wonderful made with apple juice!!!
BROWN PAPER BAG TURKEY (easy and tasty)
1 whole turkey 23-25 pounds
1 large brown paper grocery bag
Peanut oil or butter, softened
Salt or garlic salt and pepper to taste
Remove neck and giblets from cavity. Rinse and pat turkey dry; stuff if desired.
Thoroughly coat the turkey with either peanut oil or soft butter, using your fingers or a
paper towel. Season generously with salt and pepper.
Place the turkey in a paper bag; twist and seal the bag with staple, paper clip, or piece of string (which I always use.) Place turkey on a sturdy shallow baking pan and bake at 325 degrees for about 5 hours; reduce time to 4 or 4 1/2 hours for smaller or unstuffed turkey.
When turkey is done, cut the bag open. Turkey will be golden brown and tasty!
JOHN’S PECAN PIE (everyone’s favorite)
1/2 c. butter
1 C. sugar
3 eggs, slightly beaten
3/4 C. dark corn syrup
1/4 t. salt
1 t. vanilla
1-1/2 C. pecans, chopped
Unbaked 9″ pie shell
Whole pecans for decoration
Cream butter, adding sugar gradually.
Continue beating until light and fluffy. Add
next 5 ingredients and mix well. Pour into the pie shell.
Decorate edge of pie with whole pecans before baking.
Bake at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes.
This is a family favorite of my husband’s, which he repeats every year. Sooooo good!!!!!!!
These are just a few of our favorites!
As Christmas Day approaches, we pray that God will bless each of you and your families! May you know the peace and joy of the Lord Jesus Christ as we celebrate His coming!
From my family to yours,
Becky