Stuffed Mushrooms

These are another holiday favorite of my husbands, his Mom makes them for Christmas or New Years. Even my boys who are not usually mushrooms eaters can't skip these.

24 mushrooms cleaned with stems removed
1 lb country sausage, browned and drained
1 pkg. Philadelphia Cream Cheese

Blend cream cheese and sausage. Fill mushrooms. Microwave for 2 to 3 minutes until heated through.

Christmas Brunch

Brunch on Christmas Morning is a big deal at our house. Preparations begin a few days in advance to ensure it's delicious, but not a stress the day of. I like things I can prepare in advance and just pop in the oven to make the house smell wonderful & Christmas(ee).

This year is no different, on the menu are the croissants my husband has enjoyed every year since he was child, they are flaky, warm and delicious. ( you can't mess with tradition) The baked french toast I made two years ago is fabulous sweet gooeyness. The egg casserole is the recipe we tried camping this summer. Instead of using a dutch oven we'll be baking it in the traditional oven. Add a little orange juice, egg nog and the cocoa latte machine & I think we're set. I would love to hear what some of your traditions and favorite Christmas dishes are, please share the recipes so I can try them.Mountain Man Egg Casserole

Baked French Toast

Baked Ham & Cheese Croissants

Cream Cookies

These are flash back to my childhood and dear family friends Enoch, Emmy & Becky whom we would visit each year at Christmas time with my Grannie. They always had these scrumptious little tart shells filled with raspberry jam and fresh whipped cream. Yummy. You can't eat just one I promise. You'll have to get a mini tart/pastry pan, they come in all shapes and sizes. These are perfect to impress a group and not that hard to make. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

3 c. flour
1 1/8 c. sugar
1/4 lb ground almonds
1/2 lb butter

1 jar fruit preserves
Whipped cream prepared

Mix the first four ingredients & knead for 10 minutes. Grease thin pastry molds -press dough into tins. (1/8") Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Cool at least 5 minutes. Turn out of shell. (tip outside down-tap shell.) Put 1 tsp jam in bottom of shell and fill with whipped cream. (Or visa versa)

Cheese Ball

My mom is not a dairy lover. Cheese is low on her list and cheese balls with lots of different cheese in them are not her style. This recipe is simple but packed full with delicious flavors. We enjoy both of the cheese balls posted on Christmas Eve. You can use thinly sliced ham instead of budding chipped beef and it tastes just as good.

Ingredients:

8 oz cream cheese-softened
1/4 c. mayo
1/4 tsp season salt
1 Tbsp. Worcester
1-2 drops Tabasco
1/4-1/2 tsp liquid smoke
3 green onions- minced
1 package chipped beef

Blend all ingredients together. Shape into a ball and refrigerate until serving.

Cheese Ball

This cheese-ball is my Grannie Williams Recipe. Every year around Christmas/New Years we enjoyed it growing up. We still devour one each year at my parents on Christmas Eve. I can't open a box of Wheat Thins without memories of this cheese-ball and my childhood enveloping me.

Ingredients

2 -8oz packages of Cream Cheese

1 jar Kraft American Cheese Spread

1 Jar Kraft Pimento Cheese Spread

1/3 Jar Kraft Blue Cheese Spread

3/4 Cup chopped walnuts or pecans

Soften cream cheese until room temperature, combine all ingredients except nuts until smooth. Chop nuts of your choice and line saran wrap in nuts. Place cheese mixture onto saran wrap and shape into a ball, refrigerate until firm. Serve with crackers.

Divinity

Divinity is one of those treats I remember from my childhood. This is the recipe my mom used to make for us. It is actually quite simple and a fun thing to try if you are looking for something new.

4 C. Sugar
1 C. Karo Syrup
3/4 C. Water
3 Egg Whites
1 tsp. Vanilla
1 C. Chopped Nuts

Combine sugar, Karo and water and cook in a pan to the hard ball stage. Beat egg white until stiff, while mixer is running pour sugar mixture in a fine stream into the egg whites. Continue mixing until mixture holds it's shape and looses it's gloss. Add vanilla and nuts. (Nuts are optional) Drop mixture by spoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow to cool completely.

Bath Salts

Ok so this isn't food, but I had to share because it is a fun, quick and inexpensive gift idea for friends and neighbors. My sister, Mom and I made these a few times growing up to give away and who doesn't' love a good excuse to take a nice hot bath. Most of the fun comes in deciding the color, scent of bath gel and container you put them in. Add a touch of beautiful ribbon on the outside to make them the perfect homemade gift.

1 tsp Bath Gel
2 tsp Baby oil
2-3 drops food coloring
2 c. Rock Salt

Stir together in a big bowl until mixed well. You can decide into smaller bowls and add the color seperatly if you want different colors. Put in bags or jars for gifting.