Day Three of Christmas has just come to an end for me. After being home for a grand total of 1.5 days, I headed north with my brother to visit my grandparents. We helped with the baking, decorating and preparing for the weekend. We were joined by more family for a grand Christmas Eve dinner (of which I was the sous chef). We played a fun and dangerous game 'Fact or Crap' during which we had way to much fun making my grandmother and mother say 'crap!' and we opened a few gifts. Santa visited Elsa, so we woke up early to experience her excitement. After a nap, we had French toast, packed up and head back south, but not home. Boxing Day was spent at my sister Rebecca's. We had a day-long feast and opened more gifts with the rest of the family. With two more kids added to the fun, there was so much excitement and happiness.
Besides the gifts and family time, my favorite part of the weekend was trying new recipes. I successfully made and served five new dishes. Friday night I made a sun-dried tomato garlic break on Italian bread. Chopping oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes is no picnic. But adding the butter, minced garlic and Parmesan cheese was easy and it took only a few minutes in the oven before it was crispy and delicious.
Christmas Eve dinner is always a big ta-do at the Sorensen house. Grandma made the pork loin and I helped with all the sides. I made green bean casserole, nothing new or difficult but a great favorite of mine. It's the only way I enjoy green beans. I made my sister's recipe for sweet potato casserole which includes canned yams, brown sugar, and butter. Top it off with some oats and a few marshmallows before it comes out so they make a crispy-melty, yummy mess.
Caramel rolls were really new to me. I made the caramel with just brown sugar and butter melted on the stove. I poured it into a 9-inch pie dish and set aside. I took crescent roll dough and rolled it out, keeping it in four squares. You have to pinch the perforated lines back together to keep it whole (or my sister said you can buy uncut roles and cut your own rectangles). Sprinkle some sugar and cinnamon on and roll them up from the long side. Cut into 7 or 8 pieces and place them cut-side down into the caramel-filled pan. Bake for 15 minutes or so at 350. So yummy!
The last recipe I made was rosemary carrots. I cut up some carrots and green peppers and sauteed them. The carrots take longer than the peppers so I put them in first. I just added some rosemary, pepper and salt before serving.
Most of these recipes I found from Simple & Delicious, a magazine I receive as a gift every two months. I always am so excited to come home and find the newest edition and lots of ingredients in my mother's kitchen. It always has way more than I could ever make, but it provides clear instructions, shopping lists and how little each recipe costs. Plus the pictures make my mouth water :)
Happy baking!
About Me
- maggiemchrist
- Salem, VA, United States
- I use this space for discovering and honing my passion for writing and sharing the best moments of my life. I'm a sister, a best friend, a roommate, a girlfriend, a writer. I'm a dreamer, a chocolate eater, a runner, a giver, a shopper. A reader and a hopeless romantic. I write when I can, I sleep when I can and love purple. Come share in my special moments and new adventures as life and love unfold for this twenty-something optimist.
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