Doug's Drunken Meatballs.. you say tomato and I say tomata..

Doug always puts a unique spin on things...one of the things I love about him..and of course his Swedish Meatballs are no different.. If he can add booze, he does..if it can be unconventional, it is...if it can be delicious, he made it!  So here is his recipe for Swedish Meatballs..not even CLOSE to Swedish Meatballs...but I would never tell him..that fragile male ego and all...and although they aren't Swedish, they are incredibly yummy!!

Swedish Meatballs (Doug's Drunken Meatballs..as I call them)

Doug's Sauce

2 tbsp onion
2 tbsp garlic
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
1 tsp dry mustard
1 cup water
2 tbsp flour
1/3 cup rye
2 tbsp sweet vermouth

wait wait wait...what the hell kind of SWEDISH meatball sauce is THAT???  Must be that Canadian thing..like peameal bacon..

June's Meatballs (you can use your favorite recipe..but I will give a simple version I use.) (ppppssst he buys his at costco)


 2 lbs ground chuck
1 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon seasoning salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350°F. Combine garlic powder, seasoning salt, pepper and bread crumbs with ground chuck. Mix well and make into meatballs. Cook in preheated oven 30-35 mins or until done.


My sauce is completely different, but then I call mine Sweet & Sour Meatballs.  Cause I always think of Swedish Meatballs being in a cream type sauce.  I told doug about this and he made his completely fake "oh that sounds different" face.  He refuses to believe this sauce is delicious..but it is!!  The reason I include it here is ..it's about as Swedish as Doug's is....

Now the sauce I use is as follows:

June's Sauce

1 jar of Heinz Chili Sauce (looks a lot like catchup)
1 Jar of grape jelly (about 10 oz)

Combine 1 bottle of chili sauce and grape jelly in a saucepan and heat until jelly has melted.

(my kids would eat these by the panful...they are good)

Here is a variation on a theme...

This recipe has gotten me out of innumerable kitchen emergencies, including unexpected guests, finicky guests, and kids on a hunger strike. It can be doubled, tripled, etc., freezes and reheats well, and can handle an almost infinite number of variations (some of which I will include below).

1 lb ground beef

garlic powder

onion powder

1 eggs

1/4 cup matzo meal

12 ounces chili sauce

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup lemon juice

 

Mix together beef, garlic powder, onion powder, egg, and matzo meal.

Form into small balls and set aside.

Pour chili sauce into medium saucepan.

Refill bottle with water, shake well, and add to pot.

Add the brown sugar and lemon juice, and mix.

Bring sauce to a boil.

Taste and adjust amounts of lemon juice and brown sugar to taste.

Drop in meatballs.

Return to boil, cover, and simmer for at least 20 minutes (but you can leave it on for much longer if you forget).

 

VARIATION #1:For chili sauce, you can substitute either tomato sauce or tomato juice or diced canned tomatoes, and adjust the sweeteners and water accordingly. You just want it to be a saucy consistency, not too thick or thin. If you use plain tomato juice or sauce, you can add in some garlic powder or other seasoning. The sky is the limit. But, do NOT use spaghetti sauce!

 

VARIATION #2:For matzo meal you can substitute bread crumbs, oatmeal, a little flour, or any other binding agent.

 

VARIATION #3:For brown sugar you can substitute real maple syrup, sugar, honey, grape jelly, or any other real sweetener. (Do not use nutrisweet or any other artificial sweetener!).

 

 

I Got the Peppermint Shakes...

I love December, even grocery shopping has a festive air!..Candy Canes, Chocolate Truffles, and one of my all times favs...Peppermint Stick Ice Cream..Ice cream and candy!!! Can't get much better than this!!  This Holiday Season I wanted to find new ways to eat it..like eating it out of the bowl isnt good enough , so I found a recipe for a Peppermint Shake from GoodHousekeeping.com.  YUM YUM YUM

8 round hard peppermint candies

4 scoops vanilla ice cream

3/4 cup milk

1/4 tsp. peppermint extract

Directions:

1. In blender, blend candies until finely crushed.
2. Add ice cream, milk, and peppermint extract and blend until mixture is smooth and frothy.
3. Pour into 2 tall glasses.

To add an extra touch…

• Blend in a tablespoon or so of chocolate chips.
• Garnish the rim of the glass with crushed peppermint (shown in picture above).
• Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
• Stick a candy cane into the glass for decoration.

Doug's Christmas Cookies (with his photos.. not X rated)

These are cookies from Doug's childhood...he has fond memories of eating these..they are his mom's recipes...and now HE makes them for his family and friends..its wonderful to have a man that bakes.. These are strictly for CHRISTMAS.. he told me so... and he never lies..

Doug's Balls

nice pics...huh??

Doug took them!!

Doug's Chocolate Balls  (no bake cookies)... mind of the gutter

1 can sweetened condensed milk
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
2 squares unsweetened chocolate
finely shredded coconut

Melt chocolate, add in milk and graham crumbs and cool until easy to work with.

Roll into small balls and roll in coconut.

Swedish Tea Rings

nice pic again!!

isn't he wonderful???

Swedish Tea Rings (also known as Thimble Cookies)

½ cup butter
¼ cup brown sugar, tightly packed
1 egg yolk, (save egg white)
1 cup sifted flour
½ tsp vanilla
chopped walnuts
red current jelly (jelly of your choice)

Combine butter, sugar, egg yolk, flour and vanilla and chill for 30 minutes.

Roll into small balls, dip in egg white and roll in walnuts.
Bake in oven for 5 minutes at 300º

Take out, dent with the handle of a wooden spoon, add red current jelly and put back into oven for 10-12 minutes.

(not sure if these are Swedish or not...but to Canadian they are..)



Shortbread

4 cups flour
1 cup brown sugar
1 lb butter
Cream butter and sugar
Add flour

Roll out dough and cut   or   roll into small balls and flatten on cookie sheet

Prick with fork or garnish with dried fruit or coloured sugar
Bake for 15 minutes @ 300º

Almond Shortbread

awesome cookies...ohhh

and his baked goods are bad

Almond Shortbread

1 cup butter
2 cups flour
½ cup white sugar
½ cup chopped almonds (very fine – almost powder)

Combine and either form into crescents and bake for 7 –10
minutes at 350º

Or flatten dough in a cookie pan, cut into squares and garnish with sliced almonds and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees

Roll in fruit sugar or superfine white sugar

Strawberries Cookies

these make your tongue red...

and SWEET!!!!!!

 

Strawberries

1 can sweetened condensed milk
¾ - 1 lb shredded coconut
2 strawberry Jell-O’s (put ½ of 1 aside)
1 tbsp fruit sugar
10 drops red food colouring
1 tsp vanilla

Combine all ingredients together and form into a strawberry shape.
Roll in Jell-O powder

Add leaves made from butter icing (pipe the leaves on..time to use the pastry bag and a leaf tip)..

Butter Icing

Combine butter and icing sugar and green food colouring until the right consistency
(1 tbsp of butter and 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar (powdered sugar)
couple drops of vanilla)

These are more like candy!!!

I can only guarantee these will be delicious!!!  (well he is pretty delicious)

 

Hope your Holidays...are Delicious!!

 

from Doug and June

 

Candy Making..Homemade Caramels.. and more

Caramels can be very tricky..well, all of candy making is tricky!!
You have to be very patient when making caramels. The caramel has to be cooked slowly, so be sure to set aside about two hours. While you are stirring, grab some friends and family to chat with, watch a Christmas movie or listen to some holiday tunes!

Homemade Caramels

1 pound of butter

2 pounds of brown sugar (1 bag)

16 ounces of Karo syrup

2 14 oz. cans of sweet and condensed milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1. Melt butter in a heavy, 6 quart pot on medium low heat. Stir in the brown sugar.
2. Stir in the Karo syrup. The caramel will come to a gentle boil.
3. Gradually add the sweet and condensed milk and continue to stir over heat.
4. Using a candy thermometer, heat until the caramel is at softball stage, approximately 240 degrees.
5. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. The caramel will bubble up, keep stirring.
6. Pour caramel into a generously buttered jelly roll pan. Cool completely.
7. Cut caramel into 1×2 inch squares with a sharp knife. (Or whatever size you prefer!)
8. Cut wax paper or decorative foil into 3×5 inch pieces. Wrap caramel squares into wax paper or foil and twist ends. Or simply serve like shown below (but don’t keep unwrapped for too long or they will harden!)

This recipe makes about 150 caramels, so you’ll have plenty to gift to friends and fam, bring to the office, or save for yourself ;) Package these caramel treats into cellophane bags or holiday take out boxes for gifts.

Homemade Caramel Corn

2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. karo syrup
2 sticks butter
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 c. uncooked popcorn

Bring first 3 ingredients to a boil; boil 5 minutes. Add baking soda and vanilla extract. Pour over popped corn.Bake at 225°F for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes.

Caramel Nut Delights

1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 lg. pot
Water

Put unopened can into pot, fill pot with water. Make sure water covers over can. Let boil for 3 hours. Make sure water covers can at all times. Let cool. Open can. Enjoy.

 

Make Turtles...

Boil the condensed milk as stated. when the cans are cool, open them. Have a bowl of ground pecans ready. Drop small scoops of caramel from spoon into ground pecans, put onto waxed paper. Melt a good quality chocolate and dip each pecan caramel into melted chocolate. This makes a candy similar to turtles.



 

Holiday Stress??

The holidays are supposed to be fun, right? But with holiday stress from all the extra work of preparing for the holiday season, dealing with temperments, and crazy family members we forget to have fun.

Childhood holiday memories stay with us our whole lives. I am sure you have some that MAKE the holiday for you.  So as parents, we want to be sure our children remember happy times, not ones filled with holiday stress.

Multitask to the Max

Multitasking isn't always a good thing, but during the holiday season efficiency at home and at work is essential. Try to think of ways big and small to combine functions. It really depends on your line of work, but some ideas include:

• If you're buying a Christmas gift for several clients, buy one for a family member who might also appreciate the item.
• Make trips outside the house count. Visiting a client? Stop at the mall on the way back. Purchasing stamps? Send your Christmas cards.
• Pop out of your office every so often to stir the pot. Cooking some holiday dishes in advance can make the season so much less frantic, reducing holiday stress.

Lists, Lists and More List

If your kids have a Christmas list, why shouldn't you? Though the Mom's Christmas list I'm talking about is less fun because it is a "to do" list.  Sit down with your calendar and make a list of big upcoming events for both work and home. Then tag each entry with a things to do list. For example if you're having a holiday party, list the things to do for the party separately.  Keep in mind that the earlier you do this, the more likely it is to change (probably expand). But that's OK because the earlier you get a handle on your schedule, the better you will be able to deal with new events as they come in.  Then put together a master to do list organized by date. This will help you keep an eye on which work and home-related tasks could conflict or could be combined.

Shop at Off-Hours or Shop Online

Shopping at off-hours is one of the most obvious holiday advantages that many work-at-home moms enjoy. During the holiday season, if you have outside child care it might be more efficient to shop on a weekday when your sitter is there and work later. If your schedule is flexible, you might work on the weekend or at night.

Because you are home to receive packages, shopping online is easier for the work-at-home mom. But remember if your kids are home too you may have some tricky explaining to do. When my kids couldn't read, I always said the packages were for the neighbors.

Don't be Afraid to Pare Back

Contrary to what people may think, being a work-at-home mom doesn't mean you have loads of extra time for home projects. You, or others in your life, may have unrealistic expectations about what holiday-related tasks you can accomplish. So, the master "to do" list can help put it in perspective and reduce holiday stress.

Think twice before you promise to make that gingerbread house for the family Christmas celebration or to host dinner. Self-employed moms, in particular, have to be careful about what we promise. Money or time can easily evaporate. If you've bitten off more than you can chew, pull back. This may mean skipping a favorite tradition for a year, but the reduction of holiday stress can be worth it. Traditions don't die, if you skip them just once. In one particularly hectic year, I canceled our annual Christmas party. The relief of taking it off my task list far outweighed the sadness I felt about skipping it. And the next year our party was as big as ever.

Or Add New Traditions

In the ebb and flow of life, some things become easier over time. And that's especially true with kids. So try to recognize when your kids are ready for more or different holiday activities.
 
Cutting your own Christmas tree might have been out questions when your kids were toddlers, but by elementary school it can be a great family outing. Capturing that moment when they are the right age is important because they might be less interested when they are teenagers.  If you do have to cut out a favorite activity, like a party or travel, try making up a new, less time-consuming holiday activity for the family. And eventually it could become part of your annual holiday traditions.

Enjoy! 

Life is about the journey as much as the destination. Enjoy the holiday season, but also just enjoy life. Life doesn't come to a stop during the holidays. Make time for exercise or being with friends or a date with your spouse. These things will reduce your holiday stress.

Christmas Cookies Day 7: Lemon Ricotta Cookies

 

Christmas Cookies: Lemon Ricotta Cookies

Mine did not turn out as pretty as Giada’s but they were delicious! So moist from the *whole* container of ricotta cheese. And, such great lemon flavor from the zest in the cookie and the very lemony glaze.

Just a couple of notes:
The glaze recipe made just enough to cover all the cookies. So be generous but not overly so when coating the cookies.
I have started to always line my cookie sheets with parchment paper. The cookies bake more evenly and are easy to remove from the cookie sheet. And, clean up is a breeze — just throw out the paper or wipe down the mat!
Lastly, if you don’t own a Microplane zester, it really is an amazing tool to zest citrus. You can use it to grate parmesan cheese, and I’ve even seen people use it on garlic cloves and ginger.

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

by Giada de Laurentiis

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 stick unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 (15-ounce) container whole milk ricotta cheese
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zested

Glaze:

• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zested

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Cookies: In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In the large bowl combine the butter and the sugar. Using an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated. Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice, and lemon zest. Beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients.
Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Spoon the dough (about 2 tablespoons for each cookie) onto the baking sheets. Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges. Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.
Glaze: Combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth. Spoon about 1/2-teaspoon onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread. Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. Pack the cookies into a decorative container.

Christmas Tree Allergies!!

Christmas Trees and Allergies!!

The Christmas tree is a classic staple in many American homes over the holiday season, but some people find that as soon as the tree comes home, they start sniffling and sneezing. There are a number of causes for this type of reaction, which will be discussed along with everything else you need to know about Christmas tree allergies.

Trying to decide which type of tree to get can be difficult, and it will vary based on personal preference. Each type of tree, both real and fake can aggravate allergies; it just depends upon what the individual person is allergic to.

To many people, there is nothing better than a real Christmas tree. It just captures the essence of Christmas, right down to the very scent that fills the home. However, real Christmas trees are full of different allergens. The species of tree that are used for Christmas trees contain terpenes, which have been shown to cause allergic reactions in some people. These are the compounds that give the pine trees their smell, and because of their chemical characteristics, they are often used in perfumes, cleaning supplies and solvents. These terpenes occur naturally in the tree and people are exposed to them when brought into an enclosed space, or if they touch the tree.

Even if terpenes aren't the culprit for allergies on a real Christmas tree, mold or pollen might be. Since Christmas trees grow outside, they are exposed to all the allergens found outdoors. When people bring trees inside, they also bring in things like mold and pollen, which are extremely common allergens. According to an article in U.S. News and World Report, when people brought Christmas trees indoors, the mold spore count in the home increased fivefold.
Unfortunately, artificial trees also contain their share of allergens. They too can harbor mold and dust after being stored in attics or damp basements all year long. They can also contain bugs and their droppings, which are also a common source of allergy irritation. In addition to this, the material that the tree is made from can be a source of the allergens. Certain plastics release chemicals into the air that can cause allergy symptoms. Any tree that has been flocked will cause allergy symptoms as well because the material used can irritate allergies.

Reducing Allergens

There are some ways to reduce the allergens associated with Christmas trees. If a real tree is chosen, the tree should be cleaned thoroughly before bringing it into the home. There are a number of ways to do this.

• First, the tree should be shaken out outdoors to remove any loose debris.
• Next a leaf blower or shop vacuum can be used to remove as many of the spores and particles.
• The tree can also be washed in a solution of water and a small amount of bleach. The bleach will kill any mold present without hurting the tree and the water will wash away any dust and debris.
• Artificial trees can be vacuumed and washed as well, but since the trees usually contain metal parts they should be dried well to prevent rust.
• When storing artificial trees, they should be sealed inside a plastic bag and then placed in a plastic storage box. Cardboard boxes or bags let dust and bugs get into the tree.
• Artificial trees should always be opened outside after being stored all year.

Treatment Options

The most important thing that people can do to reduce allergy symptoms during Christmas is to make sure their tree is free from as many allergens as possible. Here is a list of treatment options that can be implemented to alleviate Christmas tree allergies:

• Treatment will vary based upon individual symptoms. Most of the time, an antihistamine allergy medication will do the best job, but they can cause drowsiness. There are some non-drowsy allergy medications that could help as well.
• If over-the-counter medications are not effective, there are a number of prescription medications that can help.
• If Christmas tree allergies are also an asthma trigger, it's important that the asthmatic person consult with their doctor to be sure that they have the medication that they need to keep asthma symptoms under control. This will often include daily maintenance medication such as steroid inhalers as well as acute asthma treatments like rescue inhalers.

Warning Signs

While most allergy symptoms are less than pleasant, they are typically not life threatening. If someone experiences a severe reaction, medical attention must be sought immediately. Signs of a life threatening reaction include swelling of the throat or tongue, difficulty breathing or a rash.

Christmas trees can be a source of allergy irritation, but they don't have to be. While it's impossible to remove all allergens, you can follow the tips provided here to reduce the amount of allergens that need to be dealt with meaning that people can keep the Christmas tree without having to worry too much about allergy symptoms.