Ingredients:
1 1/2 cup white sugar
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
1/4 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
Directions:
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, evaporated milk, cream of tartar and salt. Mix well and bring to a boil. Cook to the soft ball stage at 234 degrees F (115 degrees C). A few drops will form a soft ball when dropped into cold water. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature. Add vanilla and beat until creamy and stiff. Roll into balls and shape like little potatoes. Roll each ball in cinnamon to coat, then press in pieces of chopped nuts to look like eyes. You can also dust with cocoa to simulate dirt
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Monday, March 5, 2007
St.Patricks Day Shamrock Plant
During the month of March in celebration of St. Patricks Day "shamrock plants" are sold everywhere we see them in the grocery store, the local Home Depot and at our favorite florist. This little green plant is so hard to resist by all of us to bring a bright green spot into our home after a long cold winter but did you know there really is no such thing as a shamrock plant.Shamrock is derived from the Irish word 'seamrog' and means 'little clover'. In Ireland, the plant most often referred to as the shamrock, is actually white clover.
Our association of the shamrock plant with St. Patricks Day comes from the Irish tale which tells of how Saint Patrick (who was also a teacher) used the three-leafed shamrock in his lectures to explain that the Trinity, (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
Here in the United States.most of the plants sold in supermarkets and garden centers around Saint Patrick's Day as 'shamrocks' are really Oxalis acetosella or Oxalis deppei. They may not be the real shamrock, but they are a great substitution. Oxalis acetosella has white flowers while Oxalis deppei has red blooms.
Oxalis like lots of light and prefere south or west exposure. High temperatures will cause them to go dormant and they like to be barely damp and should be fertilized monthly with an all purpose formula of fertilizer. While it is possible to grow oxalis for years without giving them a rest, they perform at their best with a period of dormancy. When the plant begins to look tired, stop all watering and fertilizing and store the plant in a dark, cool place. After a couple of months bring it out and start watering again. You'll be rewarded with fresh, new growth
So pick up one of an expensive "Shamrock Plant" at your local grocery and enjoy the tradition of St. Patricks Day
Our association of the shamrock plant with St. Patricks Day comes from the Irish tale which tells of how Saint Patrick (who was also a teacher) used the three-leafed shamrock in his lectures to explain that the Trinity, (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.
Here in the United States.most of the plants sold in supermarkets and garden centers around Saint Patrick's Day as 'shamrocks' are really Oxalis acetosella or Oxalis deppei. They may not be the real shamrock, but they are a great substitution. Oxalis acetosella has white flowers while Oxalis deppei has red blooms.
Oxalis like lots of light and prefere south or west exposure. High temperatures will cause them to go dormant and they like to be barely damp and should be fertilized monthly with an all purpose formula of fertilizer. While it is possible to grow oxalis for years without giving them a rest, they perform at their best with a period of dormancy. When the plant begins to look tired, stop all watering and fertilizing and store the plant in a dark, cool place. After a couple of months bring it out and start watering again. You'll be rewarded with fresh, new growth
So pick up one of an expensive "Shamrock Plant" at your local grocery and enjoy the tradition of St. Patricks Day
Monday, February 26, 2007
St. Patrick Cookie Pops
If you are looking for a fun and easy recipe to do with the kids, try these deliciously simple St. Patrick's Day Cookie Pops. The kids will smile and giggle while making these treats, and will have something fun to give to family, friends, and classmates!
Materials:
20 vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 12-ounce bag white chocolate chips
green and yellow gumdrops
green Dots
green and yellow Nerd candies
Cake decorating writer gel in green, yellow, red, orange, and black
1 tube of green cake decorator frosting with tip
green and yellow decorator sugar
green food coloring
ice cream or lollipop sticks
wax paper or paper plates
Instructions:
Spread peanut butter onto the flat side of the cookies. Place an ice cream stick into the peanut butter on half the cookies. Top with another cookie so the stick is sandwiched between the two cookies. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, one minute, then in 20 second increments, stirring until smooth. Before melting, separate the white chips into two bowls. After melting, add a few drops of green food coloring to one of the bowls of white chips to make green chocolate. Dip cookie pops in the melted chips, covering completely. Sprinkle with green and yellow sugar and lay or stand on waxed paper or paper plates. Place in refrigerator to chill.
Fun Variations
Leprechaun After coating with white chocolate, dip top of pop into green sugar. Slice two yellow gumdrops to make beard. Allow to dry on wax paper. Use black and red decorator gel for eyes and mouth, and for trim on hat. Rainbow with Pot of Gold After coating with white chocolate, cut a green Dot in half lengthwise, adhere to chocolate. Before chocolate has a chance to dry, place 3-5 yellow candy nerds "in" pot. Create a rainbow with various colored decroator gel. Shamrock After coating with white chocolate, sprinkle with yellow decorator sugar, then draw on a shamrock using green cake decorator icing. Four Leaf Clover After coating with green chocolate, use green sliced gumdrops to create clover leaves. Slice a small strip out of remaining gumdrop for stem. Use a green candy Nerd for the center of the clover. Note: Another variation is to use vanilla or chocolate frosting instead of peanut butter for the filling. These can also be made without sticks. Use one stick to be able to dip the cookies in chocolate and roll in sprinkles, then remove the stick and put on wax paper or paper plates, then chill.
Materials:
20 vanilla wafer cookies
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 12-ounce bag white chocolate chips
green and yellow gumdrops
green Dots
green and yellow Nerd candies
Cake decorating writer gel in green, yellow, red, orange, and black
1 tube of green cake decorator frosting with tip
green and yellow decorator sugar
green food coloring
ice cream or lollipop sticks
wax paper or paper plates
Instructions:
Spread peanut butter onto the flat side of the cookies. Place an ice cream stick into the peanut butter on half the cookies. Top with another cookie so the stick is sandwiched between the two cookies. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave, one minute, then in 20 second increments, stirring until smooth. Before melting, separate the white chips into two bowls. After melting, add a few drops of green food coloring to one of the bowls of white chips to make green chocolate. Dip cookie pops in the melted chips, covering completely. Sprinkle with green and yellow sugar and lay or stand on waxed paper or paper plates. Place in refrigerator to chill.
Fun Variations
Leprechaun After coating with white chocolate, dip top of pop into green sugar. Slice two yellow gumdrops to make beard. Allow to dry on wax paper. Use black and red decorator gel for eyes and mouth, and for trim on hat. Rainbow with Pot of Gold After coating with white chocolate, cut a green Dot in half lengthwise, adhere to chocolate. Before chocolate has a chance to dry, place 3-5 yellow candy nerds "in" pot. Create a rainbow with various colored decroator gel. Shamrock After coating with white chocolate, sprinkle with yellow decorator sugar, then draw on a shamrock using green cake decorator icing. Four Leaf Clover After coating with green chocolate, use green sliced gumdrops to create clover leaves. Slice a small strip out of remaining gumdrop for stem. Use a green candy Nerd for the center of the clover. Note: Another variation is to use vanilla or chocolate frosting instead of peanut butter for the filling. These can also be made without sticks. Use one stick to be able to dip the cookies in chocolate and roll in sprinkles, then remove the stick and put on wax paper or paper plates, then chill.
Sunday, February 25, 2007
Irish Cream Fudge
Ingredients:
2 packages ( each package should be 12 ounces each) of milk chocolate chips
1 (12 ounces) package semisweet chocolate chips
2 jars of marshmallow cream, 7 ounces EACH
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2/3 cups of Irish Cream
2 cups of chopped nuts - optional
4 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 12 ounce can of evaporated milk
1/2 pound of butter
Directions:
In a very large bowl, combine the 2 packages of milk chocolate chips, the one package of semisweet chocolate chips, both jars of marshmallow cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, the Irish Cream, and nuts if you are adding them. Set this mixture aside.
Line a 10-x-15-inch pan with foil and spread lightly with butter or margarine.
In a medium sized saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 can of evaporated milk, and 1/2 pound of butter. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and cook slowly, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes.
Pour the milk mixture into the very large bowl holding the chocolate chip mixture. Stir slowly by hand to combine. It is very important to do this by hand and NOT use any kind of mixer.
Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and chill until set.
2 packages ( each package should be 12 ounces each) of milk chocolate chips
1 (12 ounces) package semisweet chocolate chips
2 jars of marshmallow cream, 7 ounces EACH
2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
2/3 cups of Irish Cream
2 cups of chopped nuts - optional
4 1/2 cups of granulated sugar
1 12 ounce can of evaporated milk
1/2 pound of butter
Directions:
In a very large bowl, combine the 2 packages of milk chocolate chips, the one package of semisweet chocolate chips, both jars of marshmallow cream, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, the Irish Cream, and nuts if you are adding them. Set this mixture aside.
Line a 10-x-15-inch pan with foil and spread lightly with butter or margarine.
In a medium sized saucepan, combine 4 1/2 cups of granulated sugar, 1 can of evaporated milk, and 1/2 pound of butter. Bring to a gentle boil over medium heat and cook slowly, stirring constantly for about 10 minutes.
Pour the milk mixture into the very large bowl holding the chocolate chip mixture. Stir slowly by hand to combine. It is very important to do this by hand and NOT use any kind of mixer.
Pour the fudge into the prepared pan and chill until set.
Legend of the Blarney Stone
Many years ago the king of Munster was out surveying his land. As he passed by a lake, he heard a frantic voice calling for help. Without hesitation he dove into the water and swam out to where a fragile looking old woman was struggling to stay afloat. He pulled her back to shore, and when she had recovered enough to speak, she thanked him profusely and offered to repay him. But he modestly refused.
Now, as luck would have it, this was no ordinary woman. In fact, she possessed fairy powers. She noticed that the kindly king stammered when he spoke, and she determined how she would repay him. Looking toward the tallest castle tower, she whispered a spell in Gaelic. Then she instructed the king to go to the top of the tower, lean down and kiss the stone beneath the parapet. If he kissed the Blarney Stone, she assured him, he would be blessed with a silver tongue. The king did as he was told, and immediately, his stammer was gone. Out of gratitude and generosity, he invited everyone from near and far to kiss the Blarney Stone and obtain the gift of eloquence for themsleves. The tradition continues today.
Now, as luck would have it, this was no ordinary woman. In fact, she possessed fairy powers. She noticed that the kindly king stammered when he spoke, and she determined how she would repay him. Looking toward the tallest castle tower, she whispered a spell in Gaelic. Then she instructed the king to go to the top of the tower, lean down and kiss the stone beneath the parapet. If he kissed the Blarney Stone, she assured him, he would be blessed with a silver tongue. The king did as he was told, and immediately, his stammer was gone. Out of gratitude and generosity, he invited everyone from near and far to kiss the Blarney Stone and obtain the gift of eloquence for themsleves. The tradition continues today.
Colcannon
Colcannon is an Irish dish that is rich in tradition and history. It's also a perfect recipe to make with the kids while sharing it's interesting history! Some families would leave out a plate of it, with a lump of butter in the center for the fairies and the ghosts. There is even a traditional Irish song that was written long ago about colcannon that you can sing while preparing it!
Did you ever eat colcannon
When 'twas made with yellow cream
And the kale and praties blended
Like the picture in a dream?
Did you ever take a forkful
And dip it in the lake
Of heather-flavored butter
That your mother used to make?
Oh, you did, yes you did!
So did he and so did I,
And the more I think about it
Sure, the more I want to cry.
God be with the happy times
When trouble we had not
And our mothers made Colcannon
In the little three-legged pot.
The little pot was known as a Bastable oven, which looked a little like a cauldron with a lid that was put over a fire and used as an oven to bake bread and other dishes.Traditional charms were put in the colcannon that symbolized different things. A button meant you would remain a bachelor and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married and a coin meant you would come into wealth.
Colcannon Recipe
Ingredients:1
pound cabbage
2 pounds russet or yukon gold potatoes
2 small leeks, green onions or scallions
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup (1 stick)
2 tablespoons butterdash of nutmeg or mace
Core, quarter and shred the cabbage and place in a pan, covering with boiled salted water til tender-about 15 minutes.
Peel and cut the potatoes into 2 inch pieces and cook those too in salted water for about 15 minutes in another pan.
Drain the cabbage and chop into very small pieces.
Drain the potatoes and mash by hand
In a pan large enough to hold the cooked potatoes and cabbage, combine the onions and milk and cook over medium heat until they are tender, about 8 to10 minutes.
Add the potatoes, salt, pepper, and mace to the onions and milk and stir over low heat until well-blended.
Add the cabbage and 1/2 cup of butter and stir again to the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Mound the mixture in the middle of a platter and make an indentation. Add the remainder of the butter.
Serves 4 to 6.
Did you ever eat colcannon
When 'twas made with yellow cream
And the kale and praties blended
Like the picture in a dream?
Did you ever take a forkful
And dip it in the lake
Of heather-flavored butter
That your mother used to make?
Oh, you did, yes you did!
So did he and so did I,
And the more I think about it
Sure, the more I want to cry.
God be with the happy times
When trouble we had not
And our mothers made Colcannon
In the little three-legged pot.
The little pot was known as a Bastable oven, which looked a little like a cauldron with a lid that was put over a fire and used as an oven to bake bread and other dishes.Traditional charms were put in the colcannon that symbolized different things. A button meant you would remain a bachelor and a thimble meant you would remain a spinster for the coming year. A ring meant you would get married and a coin meant you would come into wealth.
Colcannon Recipe
Ingredients:1
pound cabbage
2 pounds russet or yukon gold potatoes
2 small leeks, green onions or scallions
1 cup milk
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup (1 stick)
2 tablespoons butterdash of nutmeg or mace
Core, quarter and shred the cabbage and place in a pan, covering with boiled salted water til tender-about 15 minutes.
Peel and cut the potatoes into 2 inch pieces and cook those too in salted water for about 15 minutes in another pan.
Drain the cabbage and chop into very small pieces.
Drain the potatoes and mash by hand
In a pan large enough to hold the cooked potatoes and cabbage, combine the onions and milk and cook over medium heat until they are tender, about 8 to10 minutes.
Add the potatoes, salt, pepper, and mace to the onions and milk and stir over low heat until well-blended.
Add the cabbage and 1/2 cup of butter and stir again to the consistency of mashed potatoes.
Mound the mixture in the middle of a platter and make an indentation. Add the remainder of the butter.
Serves 4 to 6.
Leprechauns
The Leprechaun is an Irish fairy. Full grown leprechauns are reported to be about 2 feet tall. They will frequently be clothed in the garb of a shoemaker, with a cocked hat and a leather apron. Frequently scowling, leprechauns are said to resemble small, grumpy old men.
According to legend, leprechauns are unfriendly, live alone. They spend a great deal of their time making shoes. Most importantly, each and every leprechaun possesses a hidden pot of gold.
If caught, the leprechaun must reveal the whereabouts of his pot of gold. But be careful! Keep your eyes on the tricky leprechaun every second. He will try to trick you into looking away, and if you do...PooF! He vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
According to legend, leprechauns are unfriendly, live alone. They spend a great deal of their time making shoes. Most importantly, each and every leprechaun possesses a hidden pot of gold.
If caught, the leprechaun must reveal the whereabouts of his pot of gold. But be careful! Keep your eyes on the tricky leprechaun every second. He will try to trick you into looking away, and if you do...PooF! He vanishes and all hopes of finding the treasure are lost.
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