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Finnish Logs Ingredients: 3/4 cup butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1 tsp. almond extract 1/3 cup granulated white sugar 2 cups flour 1 separated egg 1/4 cup finely chopped almonds 2 tsp. icing sugar Directions: Mix first 3 ingredients. Hand mix in flour. Roll dough into ropes. Add egg yolk to dough only. Brush with slightly beaten egg. Dust with almonds and icing sugar mixture. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degrees F. for 15 minutes. Enjoy this classic cookie as a light dessert or snack during the holidays. Swedish Cakes Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter (or margarine) 1/4 cup brown sugar (demarara) 1 egg 1 cup flour Finely chopped jelly/jam and nuts (in preferred amounts) Directions: Mix first 4 ingredients. Roll into small balls. Dip into egg white and finely chopped nuts. Place rolled balls of dough onto greased cookie sheet, and press centre down. Bake in preheated oven at 300 degrees F. for 5 minutes. Press down again, and bake 10 to 15 minutes more. While balls of dough are still h...

Green Beans with Buttered Cashews Ingredients: 2 lbs. wax beans (fresh or frozen) (green or yellow) (or a mixture, if preferred) 1 or 2 tbsp. butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1 crushed garlic clove 1/4 tsp. salt Freshly ground black pepper (use desired amount) 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, basil or coriander 1/2 cup cashews (unsalted or slightly salted only to taste) coarsely chopped and roasted Directions: Cut stem ends from beans. Pour two inches of water into a large saucepan. Bring to a full boil, then add beans. Boil beans uncovered until colour(s) turn(s) bright and slightly tender, for about  5 to 6 minutes only. If so desired, cook frozen beans according to package directions. Once fully boiled, drain beans, and place in heated serving bowl. Melt butter (or margarine) in small pan over medium heat. Once bubbly, stir in garlic, and cook for only about 1 minute. Pour over beans, and add seasonings; toss, and sprinkle with cashews. Enjoy this as a side dish with you...

Smash Mouth Shortbread Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1/2 cup icing sugar 1/4 cup corn starch 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. vanilla extract Directions: Bake in pre-heated oven at 375 degrees F. for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until cookie edges only begin to brown. Whip butter/margarine in an electric mixer until airy and smooth. Blend in sugar, cornstarch, flour and vanilla. Drop 1 tbsp. of dough onto a greased cookie sheet about two inches apart. Let cool completely before freezing or serving. These "melt in your mouth" cookies freeze easily, and whenever your tastebuds are ready, enjoy these treats as a light Christmas dessert or snack with milk or your favourite beverage.  From, Friday Dec. 5th, 2014 originally; Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, all my best for 2025.  

Shortbread Ingredients: 1 lb. butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1 cup icing sugar 4 cups sifted all-purpose flour Directions: Blend butter (or margarine) and icing sugar thoroughly. Stir in flour, and mix with hands. Chill. Roll out dough 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick. Cut into shapes as desired. Bake in pre-heated oven at 300  degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes. Once out of the oven, the cookie tops should not be brown.  Lastly, enjoy this old-fashioned and traditional treat, from my mother's mother, as a light dessert  or afternoon snack, bye for now. :-)  

Pumpkin Walnut Cake Pumpkins have come to symbolize the autumn and holiday season here in North America, and this cake is a tasty tribute to its colourful harvest; with a moist texture, subtle spiciness and the crunch of walnuts. Tips: Wrap the cake in plastic wrap, and store at room temperature for up to 1 week; and/or, overwrap in heavy-duty foil and freeze for up to 2 weeks. Note: This recipe makes 16 servings in total, and makes a wonderful dessert or snack with your choice of beverage, and toppings such as whipped cream, vanilla or caramel ice cream, or sauteed apples. Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter (or margarine, if preferred) 3 cups packed brown sugar 4 eggs 1 tbsp. vanilla extract 3 cups all-purpose flour (Robin Hood, or preferred brand) 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. each of salt, ground nutmeg and cinnamon 1/2 tsp. each of ground ginger and cardamom 1/4 tsp. each of ground cloves and baking soda 1/2 cup chopped toasted walnuts 1 can pumpkin puree Streusel: 1/3 cup all-purpos...

Pumpkin Muffins Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp. each of baking powder and baking soda 1/2 tsp. each of salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and ginger 1/2 cup raisins 1 1/2 tbsp. grated orange rind (optional) 1 egg 1/4 cup white granulated sugar 1/3 cup canola oil (or preferred choice) 1 cup cooked pumpkin Directions: Combine all first eight dry imgredients in large bowl, and stir thoroughly. Make a well in the center. Beat egg in small bowl until frothy. Then, mix in sugar, cooking oil and pumpkin. Pour into well. Stir only to moisten. Batter will be lumpy. Fill greased muffin cups 1/4 full. Bake in pre-heated oven at 400 degrees F. for 20 to 25 minutes. Let stand to cool for 5 minutes. Remove from pan and serve muffins warm. Makes 14 servings as a moist, tender and delicious snack or dessert, enjoy. *Note*: Lastly for now, I'm giving honourable mentions to the following recipes, sadly of which I don't have the full listings for, but of course, if you wish to Google any/all...

Coconut Pineapple Cake Ingredients: Cake: 2 cups all-purpose flour 2 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 3/4 cup each of canola oil and buttermilk 3 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups granulated white sugar 1 8 oz. can crushed drained pineapple 1 1/2 cups coconut Icing: (Makes 2 cups) 3 cups sifted confectioner sugar 4 oz. softened cream cheese 5 tbsp. butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1 tbsp. milk Garnish: (optional) 1 1/2 cups toasted coconut Directions: Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease and moderately flour 13 by 9 in. cake pan. Mix flour, baking soda and salt. In a separate bowl, whisk canola oil, buttermilk, eggs and vanilla. Add sugar, pineapple and coconut; mix well. Stir in flour mixture and place in prepared pan. Bake on centre rack for 30 to 35 minutes, or until cake tester/toothpick inserted in middle comes out clean. Let cool. In a small bowl, combine all icing ingredients. Beat until smooth. Spread over baked,  cooled cake. Garnish with toasted coconut (if de...

Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes Make-Ahead Directions: Prepare potatoes fully, but do not bake them. Cover and refrigerate them for up to 1 day, or freeze them for up to 2 months. Defrost frozen casserole in fridge for 1 day, a cold casserole taken from the fridge will require 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 hours of baking time at 350 degrees F. Place a piece of foil loosely over the top to prevent burning. This is a very good dish by the way once fully prepared, trust me. Notes: Prep time: 20 minutes, Cooking time: 20 minutes, Baking time: 40 minutes, Makes 8 servings. Ingredients: 3 1/2 lbs. (12 potatoes) 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. salt (as preferred) 4 green onions 125 g. pkg. cream cheese (about 1/2 cup at room temperature) 1 cup light sour cream 1/4 tsp. freshly grounded black pepper Pinch of nutmeg 2 tbsp. butter (or margarine, if preferred) 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese Directions: Place unpeeled potatoes in pan. *Make sure while cutting the potatoes that each piece is the same size to look attractive*. (if y...

Stir Fry Noodles Once everything is assembled, this is a quick, easy dish to make. If you can't find the pre-cooked egg noodles in supermarkets or Asian stores, simply cook 1/2 pound of dried medium egg noodles. Ingredients: 2 tbsp. canola oil 1 tbsp. chopped ginger root 3 cloves minced garlic 3 chopped green onions 1/2 pound thinly sliced pork tenderloin (or chicken breast) 1 sliced white onion 1 sliced sweet red pepper 1 thinly sliced carrot 1 cup broccoli florets 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 3 tbsp. soy sauce 2 tbsp. hoisin sauce 2 tbsp. ketchup 2 tbsp. sesame oil 3/4 tsp. hot pepper sauce (optional) 1 pkg. (15 oz. or 400 g) pre-cooked Chinese egg noodles 1 tbsp. corn starch (Pinch of) salt and pepper (or preferred amounts) 2 tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 2 tbsp. chopped fresh coriander (or parsley) Directions: In a wok or large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; stir fry ginger, garlic and green onions for only 30 seconds, or until fragrant. Add pork; stir fry for about 3 minute...

Zesty Potatoes with Sour Cream and Chives Ingredients: 4 medium potatoes (cut into 1 1/2 inch pieces) 1/2 cup chopped onions 1 tbsp. olive (or canola) oil 1 tsp. each of chili and garlic powder 1/2 tsp. salt Directions: Combine all ingredients in a large bag. Seal Ziploc Zip n' Steam bag and shake to mix ingredients. Place bag in the microwave. Cook on full/high power for 7 minutes, or until tender. Allow bag to stand 1  minute before handling. Gently shake bag to distribute seasonings. Carefully open bag and remove contents. Sprinkle with 1 tbsp. chopped chives. Add salt and pepper to taste. Serve with sour cream, if so desired, and enjoy as a side dish or main meal. Until November 12th, only 16 days until America's  Thanksgiving, with a few more unique holiday favourites for my U.S. of  A. supporters and readers. Lastly for now, my Christmas family favourites will be posted between December 2nd and 23rd, 2024. 

Apricot Cheesecake *Please note* To begin, if you wish, you can substitute with well drained peach slices, mandarin orange segments, crushed pineapple or apricot halves of course for this recipe. This cheesecake is also rich and delicious plain, with no fruit toppings at all. This is an old family favourite dating back over 30 years. Ingredients: Bottom (or outer) Crust: 1 1/4 cups graham wafer crumbs 1/4 cup granulated white sugar 1/4 cup melted butter (or margarine, if preferred) Filling: 2 pkgs. softened cream cheese 1 cup sugar 1/4 cup apricot jam 2 tbsp. corn starch 3 eggs 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. salt 3 cups sour cream (or yogurt, if so desired) Topping: 1 can well drained apricot halves 1/2 cup apricot jam 1 tbsp. lemon juice Directions: Combine crust ingredients. Press into bottom of 9 1/2 inch spring form pan. Beat cream cheese and sugar in large mixer/mixing bowl on medium speed until smooth, about 3 minutes total. Beat in jam, corn starch and e...