All Recipes

Family Fun with Gingerbread

Posted in All Recipes, Family, Health, Life on November 11th, 2009 by redkathy – 1 Comment

Three playful takes on a holiday favorite

Gingerbread Cookie Dough
White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies
Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème

Gingerbread cookie

Sweet and slightly spicy, the taste of ginger has a way of stirring up fond memories of the holiday season. Imagine the warm aroma of gingerbread, slip back into childhood and remember fun-filled family gatherings in the kitchen. Embrace this classic flavor by baking up a trio of treats this year. With one basic gingerbread dough recipe, three festive cookie variations are just a mixing bowl away. Whether the classic gingerbread man or a fun new interpretation inspired by the introduction of a chocolate “drop,” these flavor-packed treats merit a place in tomorrow’s memories of this holiday season.

Gingerbread inspires whimsical creations for the entire family, and it’s easy to make this favorite sweet the centerpiece of any holiday gathering. The McCormick Kitchens suggest enlisting helpers of all ages to help mix and measure recipe ingredients and lend a hand with the decorating, for a fun holiday activity.

To get started, use the basic dough recipe to roll out a batch of Gingerbread Men. After baking, let the kids help pipe on simple vanilla frosting and decorate with traditional cinnamon candies or raisins. Then, using the same dough recipe, bake up White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies, featuring a white chocolate striped “drop” in the center of the ginger cookie. Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème round out the trio, with marshmallow and lemon cream sandwiched between two ginger cookies.


For more holiday recipe ideas, visit www.McCormick.com.

Gingerbread Cookie Dough

gingerbread men

Ingredients

  • 3 cups flour
  • 2 teaspoons McCormick® Ground Ginger
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon McCormick Ground Nutmeg
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup molasses
  • 1 egg

Preparation

  1. Mix flour, ginger, cinnamon, baking soda, nutmeg and salt in large bowl.
  2. Beat butter and brown sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add molasses and egg; beat well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Press dough into a thick flat disk. Wrap in plastic wrap.
  3. Refrigerate 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Gingerbread Men Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.
  5. Roll dough to 1/4-inch thickness on lightly floured work surface. Cut into gingerbread men shapes with 5-inch cookie cutter. Place 1 inch apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  6. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies are set and just begin to brown. Cool on baking sheets 1 to 2 minutes. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Decorate cooled cookies with Colorful Royal Icing or as desired.

Serves
Makes 2 dozen

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Recipe and decorating ideas can be found at www.McCormick.com.

Preparation Time:
20 minutes

Refrigeration Time:
4 hours

White Chocolate Kissed Gingerbread Cookies

gingerbread cookie

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough
  • 60 white and milk chocolate swirled kiss-shaped candies

Preparation

  1. Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.
  2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Immediately press a chocolate candy into
  4. center of each cookie. Remove to wire racks; cool completely. Store cookies in airtight container up to 3 days.

Serves
Makes 5 dozen

Gingerbread Whoopie Pies with Lemon Crème

gingerbread pies

Ingredients

  • 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough
  • 1 jar (7 ounces) marshmallow cream
  • 1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, softened
  • 4 ounces (1/2 package) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon McCormick Pure Lemon Extract
  • 1 cup crushed peppermint candies

Preparation

  1. Prepare 1 recipe Gingerbread Cookie Dough as directed.
  2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll in granulated sugar. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased baking sheets.
  3. Bake in preheated 350°F oven 8 to 10 minutes or until edges of cookies just begin to brown. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.
  4. Mix marshmallow cream, butter, cream cheese and extract in medium bowl until well blended. To assemble whoopie pies, place about 1 tablespoon filling on the flat side of 1 cookie. Top with a second cookie, pressing gently to spread the filling. Roll sides of whoopie pies in crushed candy. Repeat with remaining cookies. Refrigerate whoopie pies between layers of wax paper in airtight container up to 5 days.

Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Flavor Variations: Whoopie pies can also be rolled in chopped pistachio nuts, toasted sliced almonds or mini chocolate chips.

You can also use the Gingerbread Cookie Dough to prepare Caramel Pecan Gingerbread Thumbprints and Almond Gingerbread Cookies. Visit www.McCormick.com for the recipes.

SOURCE:
McCormick & Company

North Pole Holiday Desserts

Posted in All Recipes, Cooking Tips & Ideas on November 11th, 2009 by redkathy – Comments Off

Cream Cheese Icing

Refreshing Shower

Posted in All Recipes, Cooking Tips & Ideas on November 4th, 2009 by redkathy – Comments Off

As this year’s brides eagerly anticipate upcoming nuptials, ‘tis the season to shower them with festive attention. If it’s your turn to host a bridal shower, make a streamlined plan so you can join in the fun.

Casual gatherings are more popular today than over-orchestrated events, so keep your shower plans focused on celebrating the bride and giving her a fun time to treasure. Serve some lemon desserts or beverages, which are refreshing, not-too-sweet and highlight a tongue-in-cheek reflection of the sweet ‘n’ sour mix of married life.

Make it delicious, memorable and fun!

Sweet, stress-free tips for a fun shower:

• Determine your menu and ask a couple guests’ help with making punch or treats.
• Invite guests that know each other or that know at least a few people at the party.
• Have a few close friends arrive early to help with last minute details and to bring the party to life.
• Designate an area for the bride to sit to open her gifts. Stock the area with scissors, trash containers and a notepad and pen to record who gave what gift.
• Provide a disposable camera or two to record the fun for the bride’s scrapbook.
• Designate who will be the bride’s note taker and photographer before the event starts.
• Recipe sharing: include recipe cards for dishes served at the shower, for guests to take home; ask guests to fill out “Happy Marriage Recipe” cards for the bride.

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Cool Down & Power Up Smoothies

Posted in All Recipes on October 28th, 2009 by redkathy – Comments Off

Satisfying smoothies can do more than just cool you down on a hot summer day. They can power you up, too.

Whether for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or as a lunchtime refresher, smoothies are a refreshing way to get powerful nutrition. And as a busy mom looking for convenient and tasty ways to boost my family’s nutrition, I’m cheering about how easy it is to do it.

* Fruit juices-orange, cranberry, other favorites–provide antioxidants and essential vitamins we need daily.
* Milk-especially fat-free evaporated milk-delivers essential calcium and protein.
* Add-ins provide an extra punch of super-nutrition:
o Just a half cup of pumpkin, from the can, delivers great fiber and more than a day’s worth of the antioxidant Vitamin A;
o fresh fruit like banana, berries, peach, nectarine or mango add fiber and antioxidants;
o a spoonful of peanut butter adds protein and kid-approved flavor.

If you’ve got teens or other family members who like to make their own smoothies, take advantage of  my tips to make “just in time” smoothie blending a snap:

* Keep cans of fat-free evaporated milk in the fridge for “right now” chilled smoothies.
* Bananas, peaches or other fruit almost too-ripe-to-eat? Toss in the freezer for a future smoothie.
* Fill the freezer with light, low-fat and/or reduced-sugar ice cream-in vanilla and other favorite flavors.

Whether you’re looking for nutritious meal ideas for the family or fun baking projects to keep your summer cookie jar full, be sure to visit VeryBestBaking.com.
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Tea and Pears Make a Merry Combination

Posted in All Recipes on October 28th, 2009 by redkathy – Comments Off
Spicy Ginger-Poached Pears
Pear Lavender-Mint Spritz

Tea and Pears

Some things just go together, especially for the holidays – hot cocoa and marshmallows … turkey and stuffing … and a fresh new holiday duo, tea and pears.

“Combining flavorful ingredients such as tea and pears in holiday recipes can bring your holiday party a depth of flavors that ranges from crisp and clean to sweet and spicy,” says Kathy Casey, celebrity chef, mixologist and author of “Sips & Apps.” “Tea and pears are both affordable ingredients that add a great flavor combination to dishes and drinks.”

With this duo, elegant holiday entertaining is as simple as stopping by your local grocer.

Several gorgeous varieties of pears are in season throughout the holidays – including the Anjou, Comice, Bosc, Concorde, Starkrimson, and Bartlett. Pears come in a wide range of colors and flavors that easily suit any festive menu. They also make a delicious dessert alternative to heavy sweets and pastries.

With varieties including black, green, white and oolong as well as herbal infusions, teas span the flavor spectrum for every taste. From delicate and fruity to bold and spicy, brands such as Tazo offer tea varieties perfect for every occasion. More and more home cooks and chefs are discovering that tea can go beyond the cup and add dynamic flavor to many recipes.

Pears and tea also offer guests the gift of health benefits – one medium-sized pear has 24 percent of the daily recommended amount of fiber and is a good source of vitamin C. And made with all-natural herbs, spices and botanicals, tea naturally includes antioxidants.
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