Recipe: Food Gifts (13)

8-26-99 Food Gifts

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/holiday/merrygifts.htmlDawn.nys 03:08:24 Fresh Tomato and Zucchini Tart

Pastry:
4 oz Cream cheese, softened
4 oz Butter, unsalted softened
-(1 stick)
1 1/4 c All purpose flour
1/8 ts Salt
1 T Chives, fresh minced
Filling:
2/3 c Coarsely chopped calamata
Olives (from 4 oz unpitted)
1 T Plus 1 tsp anchovy fillets
-(can be omitted)
1 T Capers, drained
1 T Onions, chopped (instead of
Anchovies)
3 lg Ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced
2 T Olive oil
1 T Garlic, finely chopped
2 sm Zucchini, shredded (1-1/2c)
Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish with fresh basil

: Make the pastry:
In a food processor, blend the cream cheese and butter. Add the flour and salt and process just until the dough begins to form a ball. Sprinkle the chives on the work surface. Turn out the dough and knead lightly until the chives are incorporated. Pat the dough into a disk abour 1/2" thick. Wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes and up to 1 day.

Remove the dough from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature to soften slightly. On a well-floured work surface, roll the dough into a 13 to 14" round. Roll the pastry onto the rolling pin and gently unroll it over an 11-inch fluted tart pan with a removable bottom. Fit the dough evenly into the pan without stretching. Trim the overhanging dough to 1-inch from the rim. Fold the excess dough over and press it into the side of the pan. Refrigerate for 20 minutes, or until firm. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400-degrees.

Line the chilled tart shell with foil and weigh down with pastry weights, dried beans or rice. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove the foil and weights and bake for 10 minutes longer, or just until set and golden. Transfer to a rack to cool completely; then remove the fluted rim of the tart pan and place the shell on a serving platter.

: Prepare the filling:
In a medium bowl, stir together the olives, anchovies, and capers. Spread the mixture evenly over the bottom of the baked shell. Starting at the edge, layer the tomato slices in overlapping concentric circles.

In a medium nonreactive skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic and stir over moderately high heat for 1 minute or until fragrant. Add the zucchini, season with salt and pepper and stir til softened slightly, about 1 minute.

Spoon the zucchini over the tomatoes and garnish with basil. Serve the tart at room temperature.dawn 04:24:38 PARMESAN-SESAME STICKS

12 sl White bread; crusts removed
1/8 c Butter or margarine; melted
1/4 c Parmesan Cheese, grated
2 tb Sesame seeds

Cut each slice of bread into 8 sticks, and arrange on ungreased baking sheets. Brush bread stick lightly with margarine. Sprinkle evenly with Parmesam cheese and sesame seeds Bake at 350 degs for 10-15 mins or unitl golden brown. Serve immediently.SusannahOH (05:19:19) : BUCKEYES

1 1/2 lbs. powdered sugar
1 lb. smooth peanut butter
1 pkg. chocolate bits
1/2 lb. butter
1 t. vanilla
1/4 cake paraffin

Melt butter, add peanut butter and sugar, mix well; then knead until mixture is of dough-like consistency. Form into small balls the size of buckeyes. Melt chocolate bits and paraffin over hot water; using wooden toothpick, dip balls into melted chocolate leaving small area uncovered to resemble buckeyes; drain on waxed paper.

Fran,.ME 08:16:29 Peppered Pecans
(can substitute almonds and call them "3-alarm alomonds" as the pepper sauce packs a wallop)

3 Tbsp. butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 tsp. hot sauce, Tobasco pepper sauce works well
1/2 tsp. salt
3 c. pecan halves

Milt butter in small skillet
Add garlic, hot scuce, and salt and cook 1 minute
Toss pecans with butter mixture
Spread in single layer on baking sheet
Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour

These can be made ahead and frozen!
Fran,.ME 08:28:58 The House Dressing

1 medium onion, chopped
1/3 c. vinegar
2/3 c. sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp celery seed
3 Tbsp prepared mustard
2/3 c. canola oil

Place all ingredients, except oil, into blender and mix well. Add oil and blend again.
Can be doubled.
Put into pretty bottles and give away!

Scioto Country Club recipedesserts,MA 09:04:36 nectarine and peach crisp

5large nectarine and peaches
2/3 c packed brown sugar
1/2 c flour
1/2 c oats
3/4 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp nutmeg
1/3 c butter, softened

Heat oven to 375. Arrange fruit in greased 8x8 pan. Combine remaining ingredients and sprinkle over fruit. Bake about 20 minutes. Serve warm. Serves 6. I always make double crisp to put on the fruit. It's very simple but tastes WONDERFUL!!!

melinda.KY 09:38:59 spiced almonds
1/2lb raw almonds
1cup sugar
4Talblespoon cinamon
3egg white

beat egg whites till frothy, add almonds. put sugar and cinamon in a large ziplock bag(shake) spread evenly on cookie sheet
bake 350 for 20 min.
great for teacher gifts!!!!!Susan,IL 09:42:42 Brownies in a Jar Brownie mix in a jar with tag attached with directions on
how to prepare the mix. These make wonderful gifts to give
any time of year and also for wedding favors, hostess gifts,
baby showers or take to a cookie exchange and make sure
to bake some up so people know what they taste like to.
Store in a cool dry place away from a heat source so
condensation and clumping does not occur. Enjoy! Ingredients:


2 1/4 cups white sugar
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup chopped pecans
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

1
Mix together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

2
Layer ingredients in a 1 quart; canning jar. Press each layer firmly
in place before adding the flour mixture. NOTE: Be sure to wipe out the inside
of the jar with a dry paper towel after adding the cocoa powder.

3
Instructions to attach to jar:
Brownie Mix in a Jar II
1. Empty jar of brownie mix into a large mixing bowl. Use your hands to
thoroughly blend mix.
2. Add 3/4 cup butter or margarine melted. DO NOT USE DIET MARGARINE.
Add 4 eggs, slightly beaten.
3. Mix until completely blended.
4. Spread batter into a sprayed 9 x 13 inch baking pan.
5. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Cool completely in
pan. Cut into 2 inch squares. Makes 2 dozen Brownies. Verla,.Il 09:49:32 Cheese Spread in a Crock

1 8 0z pkg of cream cheese
1 jar of Old English Cheese
1 8 0z container of Cracker Barrel or Merkts sharp cheddar cheese
Garlic powder to taste

Soften all cheeses until soft. Mix with electric mixer. Add garlic powder to taste. 1/2 to 1 tsp.

Put in small crocks or coffee mugs for gifts. I buy crocks at garage sales for 25 cents throughout the year.Dawn.NYS 09:54:49 CARAMEL-NUT CORN

12 c Poppped popcorn
3 c Walnut or pecan halves
-OR- unblanched whole almonds
1 c Packed brown sugar
1/2 c Margarine or butter
1/4 c Light corn syrup
1/2 ts Salt
1/2 ts Baking soda

Divide popcorn and nuts between 2 ungreased rectangular pans, 13x9x2 inches. Cook brown sugar, margarine, corn syrup and salt over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until bubbly around edges. Continue cooking 5 minutes; remove from heat. Stir in baking soda until foamy. Pour over popcorn and nuts, stirring until corn is well coated. Bake uncovered in 200 degree F oven, stirring every 15 minutes, 1 hour. 300 calories per serving.

For Caramel Corn: Increase popped popcorn to 15 cups; omit nuts.

Source: Betty Crocker's Cookbook

Susan,IL 09:55:47

Stained Glass Candy

You can add different colors and flavors to this recipe and make a really pretty tray for the holidays!
Recipe By : Brenda Detert

2 cups granulated sugar
2/3 cup Karo Corn Syrup
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon flavoring
food coloring

Spray a cookie sheet with Pam. Put first 3 ingredients to boil. Once disolved, do not stir. Cook to 260 degrees, then add Color. DO NOT STIR. Cook to 300 degrees. Remove from heat. Add flavoring. if it does not disperse, stir lightly. Pour liquid out on cookie sheet. Cool 30 minutes. Crack it up. Coat with 2 Tablespoons of confectioners sugar to prevent sticking

desserts,MA 10:01:35 Kidney Bean Salad

1 lb red kidney beans
2 c chopped celery
1 T minced onion
1/2 c choppped walnuts
1/4 c salad oil
3 T wine vinegar
1/2 tsp each salt and pepper
Drain beans thoroughly, combine with celery, onion and nuts. Mix oil, vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour over beans. Simple but tasty!!Dawn.NYS 10:02:09 Spiced Nuts

3/4 c. sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 egg white
2 1/2 tblsp water
3-4 cups nuts (walnuts and pecans are great)

Preheat oven to 275. Combine sugar, salt and spices in a large bowl. Slightly beat egg white, add water. Add egg mix to spice mix. Add nuts a little at a time. Stir with a fork until nuts are well coated. Place nuts one at a time on to a greased cookie sheet. (Personally I use a slotted spoon, scoop up nuts,shake off excess mix and dump on the cookie sheet) Bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown. (About every 10 minutes or so I stir them up) Remove from oven and remove the nuts from the pan or they will get stuck! I usually place some wax paper or foil on the counter and spread them out. Susan,IL 10:08:04

M & M Cookie Mix In A Jar


Sweet and tantalizing M & M cookies. Place the mix in a jar
to give as a gift. Include a tag with the baking directions.

3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1 1/2 cups mini baking M & Ms
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt1
Combine the flour with baking soda and salt.

2
In a clean 1 liter sized glass jar layer the ingredients in the order given
starting with the brown sugar and ending with the flour mixture.

3
Attach a card with the following directions:
M & M Cookies
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line one baking sheet
with parchment paper.
2. Empty the contents of the jar into a large bowl and mix until all the
ingredients are well combined.
3. Using your hands work in 3/4 cup softened butter or margarine until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.

4. Beat 1 egg with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Work this into the flour mixture until well combined. Dough will be a little crumbly.
5. Shape dough into 1 inch sized balls and place 2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheet. Slightly flatten the balls with the palm of your hand. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10 to 14 minutes or until the edges are lightly browned. Remove cookies to a rack to cool. Makes about 2 dozen cookies.