By Staff
Here we are within a stone's throw of one of our largest holiday seasons, and already we appear to be driving with the brake on. That "brake" is actually unconscious tension in the form of tight abdomens, clenched jaws and constricted muscles; that occur whenever we set impossible goals for ourselves. It is the wise homemaker who begins her Christmas baking well in advance, rather than burning the midnight oil to prepare her holiday delicacies. You will be doing your children a favor by involving them in these various preparations, for not only is it a learning experience for their forthcoming adulthood; but something they will treasure in their book of memories. I admit to feeling quite smug knowing that all seven of my children, both sons and daughters, have mastered the knowledge of cooking, so would be perfectly capable of preparing a meal. When you wait until the holidays are right upon us, then grab a cup of coffee to combat the fatigue you are experiencing and embark on the task of last minute baking; all that beverage is going to do for you is perhaps push exertion somewhat further before tiredness makes itself felt. Unfortunately by this method, all you are accomplishing is postponing some of the fatigue rather than preventing it. Then, when you are eventually overcome with fatigue you need more rest to restore your deeply drained reserves.
Today's column is just a preview of some holiday cookies you may wish to try!
Lemon/Yogurt Tasties
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup Crisco
2 eggs
1 cup lemon yogurt
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon lemon extract
3 1/2 cups all purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
sugar
Grease your cookie sheets. Now, cream together the sugar, Crisco and lemon peel until it becomes light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Add both the yogurt and the extract and mix this in well. Lightly spoon the flour into your measuring cup, then level it off. Stir the flour, baking powder, soda and salt together; then add these to the creamed mixture … blending it all together well. Drop this mixture by the rounded spoonfuls onto your prepared cookie sheets, then sprinkle the tops of the cookies lightly with some of the sugar. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in an oven of 350 degrees. Note: These cookies will appear very lightly golden brown around the edges when done.
Homemaker's Hint: Did you know that by placing regular duct tape, with the silver side up, inside your boots … it helps to keep your feet warm?
Food Facts: There is a growing consensus that vitamin C helps people recover more quickly from common colds … even though it does not actually prevent them.
Chocolate Apricot Cookies
1 6 ounce can undiluted evaporated milk
4 squares semi-sweet chocolate
2 1/2 cup crushed vanilla wafers
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
1/2 cup sifted confectioners sugar
Sifted flour, then stir in both the raisins and the nuts. Cup by the spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 12 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Food Facts: Did you know that it takes a good 4 1/2 pounds of fresh grapes to produce one pound of raisins? Raisins are not only our most popular dried fruit, but are an extremely concentrated source of both nutrients and calories. You should brush well after eating them, however, for like other dried fruits … raisins are very concentrated forms of sugar. So if they adhere to the teeth … they can easily cause some dental decay.
Homemaker's Hint: If you crush tissue paper and place it in the bottom of the cookie jar, it helps keep the cookies fresh.
**In reply to reader Lisa W. who was puzzled over an item she recently found tucked away in her grandmother's attic. She described it as a fairly small wire typed cage that was affixed to a long metal handle: I can only guess, Lisa, but if the cage was one that could be opened and closed, it sounds as though its purpose was to hold tiny bits of bar soap. The bits could be collected inside … then when rapidly swishing in a sink of hot water … produce enough suds to sponge out delicate items. It sounds as though it may well have been a relic used during the Depression Years!
Nutty Macaroons
1 1/2 cups blanched almonds
2 egg whites
1 cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
dash salt
1 teaspoon almond extract
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Grind the almonds and then set aside. Make certain that your egg whites are at room temperature, then combine the almonds with the sugar and mix together well. Now, beat the whites with the salt until the whites form a very stiff peak as you gently raise the beaters. Carefully use a wooden spoon to stir this almond mixture into the beaten egg whites along with the two extracts … you need not stir then excessively, but only until they are well mixed. Then, drop this mixture onto your prepared cookie sheets, top each with a blanched almond, then bake for approximately 20 minutes or until they become a pale brown in color. Carefully use a spatula to place them on a wire rack to cool.
Food Facts: Did you know that one cup of almonds contains as much calcium as one full cup of milk? They also contain generous amounts of heart-healthy magnesium and copper. Copper is said to play an important part in lowering cholesterol and the magnesium is said to play a vital part in regulating cholesterol and blood pressure as well as heart rhythms.
Homemaker's Hint: I pass this bit of information along to you, my readers, for what it is worth. I have several Dutch acquaintances whose advice I greatly respect that frequently use the "ginger spice" to combat the nausea that is so relevant during this time of the year.
** I read an article the other day that rather set me back on my heels, and for what it is worth I wish to pass it on to you. This item stated that back in the 60s and 70s, childhood obesity increased by 54 percent. Testing done on these young people showed that the majority of these individuals (age 15-19) showed fatty streaks in their coronary arteries. Since they say that the average child of this age views over 20 hours of television weekly, common sense would seem to suggest that this lifestyle is robbing them of more active pursuits such as riding bikes, or playing sports, etc. To add insult to injury, many are snacking on high fat low nutrition goodies, while they view the tube, so it is also having a disastrous effect on their bodies. May be we should endeavor to have only nutritious, low-fat, high-fiber goodies within our cupboards … if only to save them from themselves?
Raspberry Cookies
3/4 cup thick raspberry jam
1 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 cup butter
2 tablespoons brandy
1 egg yolk
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
6 teaspoons melted butter
2 1/2 cups flaked coconut
Sift the flour together with the salt, one teaspoon of sugar and the baking powder. Blend in the butter. Add the egg yolk together with the brandy and mix well. Pat this mixture into a buttered 11 x 7 x 2 inch pan. Spread with the raspberry jam. Beat the egg until thick and lemon colored, then bet in one and one half cups of sugar plus the extract and the melted butter. Add the coconut and spoon over jam. Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for a good 35 minutes, then let cool completely before cutting into squares.
Homemaker's Hint: Heaven forbid that health problems force you to use a cane, but if they should, a cane is the right height if the hand holding it is at hipbone level and your elbow is slightly bent. The cane should be held on the side opposite your injury and six inches to the right or left of the good foot.
Food Facts: Raspberries are a rich source of vitamin C as well as containing useful amounts of foliate, iron and potassium; however on the down side, they do contain a natural salicylate, which can cause an allergic reaction in people sensitive to aspirin.
Homemaker's Hint: Soon we will be engaged in gift wrapping, so here is a tip one of my readers passed on to me: She said that if your wrapping paper seems a trifle short to cover your package, try turning the package at an angle first, then proceed to wrap. Thank you so much Ellie!
Cream Cheese Cookies
3/4 cup butter
3 ounce package cream cheese
1 cup confectioners sugar, sifted
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups sifted cake flour
1 cup chopped pecans
sifted confectioners sugar
Cream together the butter and cheese until it becomes light and fluffy. Gradually ad one cup of confectioners sugar, beating thoroughly. Stir in the lemon juice, extract and lemon peel. Add the flour and mix well, then stir in the nuts. Drop by small spoonfuls onto an ungreased cookie sheet and bake for approximately 25 minutes in a 300 degree oven. The cookies should set, but not brown. While they are still hot, roll them in chopped pecans.
Mix together the chocolate with the evaporated milk in your saucepan, and cook while stirring constantly until smooth. Then, remove pan from the heat and stir in the extract. Next, blend in the two and 1/2 cups of crushed vanilla wavers along with the sugar and apricots. Allow this mixture to cool until it becomes just firm enough to shape, then form it into small balls and roll in the chopped pecans.
Food Facts: Apricots are a rich source of iron, beta cartotene and potassium, so they can serve as a fat-free snack. They are high in fiber, low in calories and quite tasty!
Homemaker's Hint: In response to Vicki's question of how to remove crayon marks from a wall that is painted. Try scrubbing that area with ordinary toothpaste or even a cloth to which a bit of ammonia has been applied; then rinse the blemished area with clear water.
Billy Goat Cookies
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup chopped black walnuts
2 cups flour
1 pound pitted dates, chopped
Cream the butter and sugar together very thoroughly, then add the egg to this and beat well. Blend in the sour cream. Sift the dry ingredients together, then add these to the creamed mixture. Now, stir in the nuts and dates and mix thoroughly. Drop this batter by the spoonfuls onto a greased cookie sheet and bake for 10-13 minutes in a 350 degree oven, or until slightly browned. You can drizzle confectioner's icing over the top of the cooled cookies if desired.
Old Fashioned Raisin Cookies
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, packed
3/4 cup butter
3 eggs
2 1/2 cups flour
2 tablespoons molasses
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup raisins
1 cup nutmeats
Cream together the butter and the sugar, then add the eggs and mix well. Add the baking soda to the molasses, then add this combined mixture to the first mixture. Next, add the confectioner's sugar, then cool on racks.
Did you know that fancy gingerbread shapes, and I am sure you could include the gingersnap itself in this category, actually originated in the great fairs of Europe? Both Chaucer and Shakespeare mentioned this, and we are told by both Queen Elizabeth, I and her father King Henry VIII swore by ginger as a remedy for the plague; and perhaps he was influenced by the teachings of the Greek physicians of that era.
Gingersnaps
1 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup butter
1 egg, beaten
1/4 cup molasses
2 cups all purpose flour
pinch of salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon cloves
1 tablespoon vinegar
Cream together the butter and the sugar, then add the egg and molasses and beat well. Sift the dry ingredients together and add them to the creamed mixture; then add the vinegar and blend together well. Roll the dough into small balls and place these on ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for 12-15 minutes in a 375 degree oven.
Homemaker's Hint: To gain the most flavor from ginger, you may wish to cut or grate it as fine as possible, or even place a bit of it into your garlic press.
**Several readers have questioned if I would recommend any particular foods to help avoid colds and flu in this season? Since I was never blessed with one iota of medical knowledge, I am not qualified to answer you on THAT basis. I still cling to the old fashioned belief of a nourishing meal, but very heavy on the onions, hot tea, warm clothing, Vick's rubbed chest and plenty of rest!
** I am endeavoring to rely on my memory, but as a child I do remember that there was a rather foul, to say the least, smelling substance that was available whose odor was to ward off symptoms. I believe it may have been called "asfidity?" Perhaps one of my readers can enlighten me on this?
Spicy Chocolate Sticks
4 eggs
2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
1 4 ounce package sweet cooking chocolate, grated
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
3 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 cup chopped, blanched almonds
1/4 cup finely chopped candied orange or lemon peel
Beat the eggs, together with the sugar until light. Stir in the spices, chocolate and the lemon rind. Sift the flour and baking powder over the almonds and candied peel and coat fruit thoroughly. Stir this into the egg mixture. Should the dough be too soft to roll out, add a bit more flour, one tablespoon at a time. Roll this dough out on a lightly floured board to a 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into sticks measuring 1 by 3 inches. Bake on a greased cookie sheet in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10 to 12 minutes.
Homemaker's Hint: Many urologists and gynecologists now advise patients who have a history of chronic bladder infections to drink a couple of glasses of cranberry juice daily as a preventative measure.
Caramel Apple Cookies
1/2 cup Crisco
1 1/2 cups brown sugar, firmly packed
2 1/2 cups sifted all purpose flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 cup grated and peeled apples
1 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup apple juice
1 cup chopped walnuts
caramel icing
Cream the Crisco, sugar and egg until it becomes light and fluffy. Set aside. Now, sift together the dry ingredients and add these to the creamed mixture. Once all of this is thoroughly blended, stir in the remaining ingredients … with the exception of the icing. Drop by spoonfuls approximately three inches apart onto a greased baking sheet. Bake these cookies for 12 minutes, or until slightly browned in an oven of 350 degrees. As soon as you remove the cookies from the baking sheet, place them on racks to col. Spread them with caramel icing, the recipe follows:
Caramel Icing
1/24 cup brown sugar, firmly packed
1/4 cup butter
1 1/2 cups sifted confectioner's sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 tablespoons half &half or light cream
Combine the butter and brown sugar in your saucepan, then cook only until the sugar dissolves, or about three minutes. Add 1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar, the salt and the half ½ then beat until smooth. Should the frosting become too thick when spreading on cookies, simply thin it by adding a bit more cream.