Grandmom's Famous Pinwheel Cookies

This is our absolute favorite Christmas cookie!
Sift together: 2 cups flour 1/2 tsp baking soda 1/2 tsp salt
Cream: 1/2 c butter adding 1 cup light brown sugar and beating until fluffy
Add: 1 unbeaten egg and 1 tsp vanilla
Blend in: dry ingredients
Roll out half dough on floured surface to 10" x 8" rectangle
Spread with half filling.
Roll up starting at 10" side. Wrap in waxed paper.
Repeat with second half.
Chill rolls two hours.
Slice and bake 400 degrees for 8-10 min. on lightly greased cookie sheet.
Watch carefully!

Chocolate filling: melt 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate bits; add 1 c. finely chopped walnuts

**edited on 12/10 by HM to include the egg and vanilla that was accidentally left out :)

Eggy Bread for Easter

1 pkg active dry yeast ( 1/4 c warm water)
1/2 c milk
1/4 c sugar
1/4 c margarine
1 tsp salt
3 cups flour
1 slightly beaten egg
icing and candy decorations

Soften yeast in 1/4 c warm water (110 degrees).
Heat milk, sugar, margarine, and salt unitl sugar dissolves.
Stir in 1 c flour; beat smooth.
Add softened yeast and egg; beat well.
Stir in enough remaining flour to make a soft dough.
Knead on lightly floured surface till smooth and elastic (8-10 minutes).
Place in a greased bowl; turn once. Cover; let rise in warm place till double (about 1 hour).
Punch dough down; divide in half. cover; let rest 10 minutes.
Shape dough into egg shaped balls; place in well greased baking pan(s). Pie pans work great!
Cover; let rise in warm place until double (about 1 hour). Makes 12-16 rolls depending on size.
Bake 375 degrees @20-25 minutes. Cool completely and decorate!

This is one of our Easter favorites! When there is time, each "egg" can be individually decorated with piped on buttercream icing. When there isn't, just glaze and sprinkle with candies! Pretty and yummy! hugs and blessing Mom LBB

Secret Ingredient Corned Beef and Cabbage

2 medium onions sliced
2-3 lbs corned beef brisket
1 cup apple juice (the secret ingredient!)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
2 tsp orange peel finely shredded
2 tsp prepared mustard
6 whole cloves
6 cabbage wedges

Place onions in crockpot. Trim away any fat that might be present on the brisket. If needed, cut brisket to fit into crockpot;place on top of onions. In a bowl, combine apple juice, sugar, orange peel, mustard, and cloves; pour over brisket. Put cabbage wedges on top. Cover; cook on low setting for 10-12 hours or high setting 5-6 hours. Keep the lid on to reduce odors and burn scented candles!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! When my girls were little, I placed a path of cut-out shamrocks from the bedrooms to the kitchen. When they awoke, they would follow the path to discover that the "leprechaun" had turned the kitchen chairs and table upside down. Even the table was set all mixed up with oversize spoons and forks. There was a note from the leprechaun that had to be read in a mirror. Their Dad contributed to the festivities by making green shamrock pancakes.

I don't think I cooked corned beef more than a few times and then I just threw everything (meat,potatoes, onions, carrots, cabbage) into a pot and boiled the devil out of it. I found this much tastier version and prepared root veggies all separate so they really stood out. Our honey-glazed carrots with nutmeg go very well.

Try root veggies this way.
peeled parsnips, rutabaga, turnips (cut into different shapes so you can tell them apart)
mini-potatoes (red and white if you want)
mini-onions (red and white if you want)
parboil everything for 5 minutes (onion skins will remove easily)
Drain and toss into a roasting pan with olive oil, sea salt, and rosemary.
Roast at 375 until brown.

Erin Go Braugh!