It’s holiday time again, and there is something out of the ordinary lurking in our house. I will give you a clue. It is ripped and torn, it has been fought over, marked up, used in a tug-of- war and spilled on.
For children and some adults I know, it is like gold, and when it arrives, life suddenly comes to a halt. You just have to feast your eyes on it.
What is it you ask? The Christmas Wish Book from Sears, of course. It would not be Christmas without this gem. A tradition for generations, it allows us to make our want list and dream of all the wonderful gifts that we might be getting. How could Santa manage without it? And what a tool for parents. Think of the time it save; time that you need to make treats to leave for Santa.
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Here are some great new recipes that he will like because I have heard that he is looking for something different this year.
Cream cheese brownies
3 eggs
6 tablespoons butter 90 mL
1 cup sugar, divided 250 mL
3 teaspoons vanilla 15 mL
1/2 cup all-purpose 125 mL
flour
1/4 cup baking cocoa 50 mL
1 8-ounce package 250 g
cream cheese
Separate two eggs, putting each white in a separate bowl, and set aside. Discard yolks or use them for something else. In a small mixing bowl, beat butter and 3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar until crumbly.
Add the whole egg, one egg white and vanilla; mix well. Combine flour and cocoa; add to egg mixture and beat until blended. Pour into a greased nine inch (22 cm) square baking dish, set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat cheese and remaining sugar until smooth. Beat in the second egg white. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls over the batter; cut through batter with a knife to swirl. Bake at 350 F (180 C) for 25-30 minutes or until edges pull away from the pan. Cool on rack. Delicious.
Flax cinnamon buns
A treat from the bread machine.
3/4 cup milk 175 mL
1 egg
3 cups all-purpose 750 mL
flour
3/4 cup milled flaxseed 175 mL
1/2 teaspoon salt 2 mL
3 tablespoons sugar 45 mL
4 tablespoons butter 60 mL
or margarine
2 teaspoons fast rising 10 mL instant yeast
Filling:
3 tablespoons butter 45 mL
or margarine
1/3 cup sugar 75 mL
1 tablespoon cinnamon 15 mL
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 2 mL
(optional)
Sugar glaze:
1 cup icing sugar 250 mL
2 tablespoons 2% milk 30 mL
1/2 teaspoon vanilla 2 mL
Measure ingredients for dough and place in bread machine pan in the order given above or as recommended by the manufacturer. Select the dough cycle.
When the cycle is complete, remove the dough from the pan and place on a floured surface. Cover and let rest for 15 minutes. Roll out dough into a rectangle, about 10 x 15 inches (25 x 38 cm). For the filling, spread margarine or butter over dough to within one inch (2.5 cm) of the edges. Sprinkle sugar, cinnamon and nutmeg evenly over dough.
Roll up dough tightly on the long side. Press edges to seal and form into a 12 inch (30 cm) evenly shaped roll. Cut roll into one inch (2.5 cm) pieces. Place rolls into a greased nine x 13 inch (23 x 33 cm) pan. Cover and let rise until double in volume, about 30-45 minutes. Bake at 375 F (190 C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes. Drizzle with the sugar glaze. Cut apart and enjoy. Note: Mill flaxseed in a coffee grinder.
Source: Flax Council of Canada.
Safety tips
Make the holidays safe with these tips from Health Canada:
Holiday tree
If you use a real tree, choose one that is fresh, on which needles are hard to pull off and do not break when bent. Add water daily. Keep the tree secured in a sturdy tree stand. Place away from traffic areas, doorways, heating vents, radiators, stoves, fireplaces and burning candles. Avoid trimmings that are sharp and breakable or have small removable parts if small children are around.
Toys and gifts
Select only toys suitable for the child’s age group, and make sure to read and follow all instructions. Toys with small parts are dangerous for children younger than three. Be sure batteries are properly installed and not accessible to the child.
A child should not take battery-operated toys to bed.
Dispose of packing materials quickly, such as Styrofoam pellets and plastic bags because children can choke on them.
Safety first
Keep cosmetics, such as perfume, aftershave and nail polish remover, medications and household cleaners out of children’s sight and reach and away from heat sources. As well, do not try to concoct your own cleaning solution.
For example, mixing chlorine-containing bleaches with acid-containing cleansers can produce a chlorine gas that can cause significant sickness and death. Read your labels.
Keep lighters and matches out of reach of children.
Trimmings and candles that look or smell like food or candy should be kept away from children. These products are attractive to children and may cause choking if they try to eat them.
Contest winners
We were pleased with the great response to our Christmas cookbook contest. Congratulations and happy cooking to these lucky winners:
Grandma’s Kitchen – Comfort Cooking from Canadian Grandmas: Peggy Bernesky, Arborfield, Sask.; Sheila Kitzmann, Hines Creek, Alta.; Michelle Delorme, Tisdale, Sask.
Omelettes – Perfect Anytime: Charlene Bayer, Surrey, B.C.; Ella Endersby, Brooks, Alta.; Marion Bessey, Bladworth, Sask.
ATCO Blue Flame Kitchen, A Holiday Collection: D. Lillian Brown, Armstrong, B.C.; Eleanor McMahon, Kinley, Sask.; Mae Monteith, Mervin, Sask.; Darlene Delorme, Craven, Sask.; Bea Jackman, Abbotsford, B.C.; Edith C. Kornelson, Star City, Sask.
Christmas greetings
Alma, Betty Ann, Barb and I hope that you can overcome the stress that comes with the hustle and bustle of the season. Put your focus on the wonder and warm spirit of Christmas that is there for you to enjoy with your family and friends.
Life can bring us the most precious and unexpected gifts, and writing for you this past year has been one of them. Happy holidays.
Jodie Mirosovsky is a home economist from Rosetown, Sask., and one of four cumnists comprising Team Resources. Send correspondence in care of this newspaper, Box 2500, Saskatoon, Sask., S7K 2C4 or contact them at team@producer.com.
