Looking For Ideas On Holiday Recipes
It’s that time of the year and I am trying to get inspired. I am Filipino so our “holiday food” aren’t the Traditional American foods, though I know half the family would loved to have it or probably miss it since the 2nd and 3rd generation are a diverse bunch and grew up far from our Traditional Filipino Family upbringing, ideals and especially the cooking.
In our family, none of the females (my Sisters) really cook and we never had a chance to learn from my Grandmother any “family special recipes” to pass on down. I wish we had, so we can enrich the younger generations of our history of my Grandparents, My Aunts and Uncles, whom were not all related but of the same township in the Philippines. When I grew up, in the same house that I currently live in with my Mom and youngest Sister, this house was always a buzz of the social scene.
We had such an extended family of Aunts, Uncle, Cousins, lol Grandparents, mostly non-related but a very close knit community, all who knew each other or met through one of the people who were from the same township as my Grandparents, Mom and Uncle in the Philippines. It was here that I learned a lot about traditions, family, friendships and community.
My Grandparents and Mom had people over almost every weekend, or people just dropped in and that was okay. We had weekend Mah-jong sessions or there would be a celebration, my birthday, my sister’s or Thanksgiving, Christmas or whatever the occasion would be. The house would be jam packed all day from lunch to all-night because there would always be a mah-jong table or two going. I miss that feeling, the happiness, the chatter, the closeness, the feeling of cheeriness to be with the people you are spending time with.
Whew! Far off subject here… Well I am looking for some recipes for the Holidays to try out or share, salads to dessert, even drinks, cold and hot. Traditional, new, or …. different? Simple is best, but will take any, but if you have a recipe with a mile long list of ingredients well you can just email it! If you have a favorite recipe, or a modified version of an oldie but goodie (I love the traditional yummies but if there is a modified one that still has the taste but not the fat or calories, bonus!) or traditional holiday recipes please submit a recipe in comments. I am looking for suggestions.
Here are two cookie recipes that seem simple enough. I picked these out because of the minimal amount of ingredients, I have these nuts on hand right now, and because I have the other ingredients usually in the house. It sounds pretty easy, though I am not much of a baker, these recipes don’t scare me and I hope to try it for a trial run before the holidays. Here they are:
Favorite Black Walnut Cookies - An easy cookie to make, with distinctive flavor of black walnuts. It is especially good with a nice cup of tea or coffee. Makes 4 dozen (24 servings), by Terri McDougal
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup white sugar
- 1 cup packed brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup chopped black walnuts
*Substitutions:
This recipe looks pretty standard or simple for a cookie recipe, substituting other nuts such as pecans, almonds, hazel nuts or a combination seems like a great idea as substitutes.Directions:
- In a large bowl, cream butter, white sugar, and brown sugar. Add eggs and beat until smooth. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt. Stir dry ingredients into the creamed mixture until well blended. Stir in walnuts last. Shape dough into logs about 2 inches in diameter, wrap them in wax paper, and refrigerate until firm.
(Tip: Be sure to bring the butter to room temperature, soften, so when you cream the butter with the sugar it will be whipped and airy for lighter and airy cookies)- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Slice dough logs into 1/2 inch slices, and place on baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 8 to 10 minutes. MMmmm nuttylicious!
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Pistachio Crisps – If you are not a pistachio lover, you can substiture your favorite nuts in these cookies. Makes 6 dozen (72 servings), by Gertrude.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups chopped pistachio nuts
- 1 1/2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
- Cream together the butter and salt while slowly adding the powdered sugar. Add the nuts, vanilla and flour and mix until well blended.
- On a lightly floured surface, roll out dough in the shape of logs about 1/2 inch in diameter. Cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces and bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
- Roll cookies in powdered sugar when they are still warm. Let cool in wire racks.
Tags: recipes, feeling, family, friends,holiday, cookies, christmas, pistachio, walnut
