Santa's Gingerbread Cookies

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I'm truly grateful for everyone that was able to be with us. The food was so delicious and I pretty much stuffed myself silly, including sampling three different kinds of pie. And we even made it the next morning at 7 to do a little Black Friday shopping.

Now of course it's time to start baking up holiday treats for family and friends. We are big cookie lovers in our house, so every year I make our old favorites and try to make a couple of recipes that I've never made before.

This year I bought the magazine Christmas Cookies, put out by Better Homes and Gardens. It's packed with yummy recipes that I want to try, including this one for delicious Santa's Gingerbread Cookies.

They are easy to make, and my granddaughter Ashley loves baking with me in the kitchen, so we teamed up to make them. I made a couple of changes because I didn't have time to chill the dough as the recipe called for. I honestly don't think it mattered because I can't imagine them coming out any better than they did. I also didn't have any freshly grated nutmeg on hand, so I used ground instead. But I'll give you the recipe as it is in the magazine and you can adjust it if you like.

These cookies are great for giving as gifts, and have stayed super fresh since I made them a couple of days ago. You can make them in different sizes, be sure to adjust the baking time for them.

Recipe for Santa's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

2 1/2 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

dash of ground cloves

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg

Directions:

In a medium bowl, stir together first 7 ingredients (through cloves). In a large bowl, beat butter with a mixer on medium 30 seconds. Add brown sugar and molasses. Beat until combined, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg.

Gradually beat in flour mixture until combined. Cover and chill about 1 hour or until dough is easy to handle.

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Roll 2 tablespoon portions of dough into balls. Place balls at least 1 inch apart on cookie sheets. Flatten balls slightly.

Bake 13-15 minutes or until edges are set. Do not over bake. Cool on cookie sheets 10 minutes. Remove and cool on wire rack.

Makes 18 cookies.

-Post by Patricia 

Quick and Delicious Hurry-Up Biscuits

I know everyone is busy getting ready for Thanksgiving right now, my family is too. It's really my favorite holiday, filled with good food, family, and friends, and a chance to stop and reflect on all we're grateful for.

This year we moved to Nevada, so now I live very close to one of my sons and his family, which of course is wonderful. But my other son and youngest daughter will be spending Thanksgiving back in Seattle due to their jobs, and they're coming for Christmas.

My other daughter, Laura, who is my co-writer here on the blog, always has Thanksgiving in California. I'm hoping one year I can get all of my kids together around one table and spend Thanksgiving together. That would make me so happy. And I hope I haven't confused you, but as the mother of five grown children, they often confuse me!

Which brings me to these yummy and easy Hurry-Up Biscuits. I know how important side dishes are to Thanksgiving dinner, we have our family favorites that are almost the same every year. But I don't think the biscuits should be overlooked, for me they are important for soaking up that delicious turkey gravy.

So I tried out a couple of different biscuit recipes today, and this one was my favorite. Not only do I love the taste, but they are so easy to make. You could pre-make the dough if you like, and pop them in the oven after you've taken out the turkey and letting it rest for a bit.

Simply put the dry ingredients in a large bowl and add 2 cups of whipping cream. Then drop 1/4 cup of dough on a baking sheet and pop in the oven. Super easy!

Recipe for Hurry-Up Biscuits

Ingredients:

3 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

4 teaspoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

2 cups heavy whipping cream

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, sugar and salt. Add whipping cream, stir just until ingredients are combined.

Drop by 1/4 cupful's spaced 1 inch apart on baking sheet. Bake 17-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter or jam.

Makes 12 biscuits.

-Post by Patricia  

Holiday Molasses Cookies

Growing up in Southern California, we never got to do some of the things that I pictured other kids at Christmas time doing. Like playing in the snow, building a snowman, or coming in from the cold with rosy cheeks from caroling and then enjoying a yummy cup of cocoa.

I can remember a few times when my mother pulled the Christmas ham out of the oven and had to wipe the sweat off her face because it was in the 80's outside and felt like a hundred degrees in the house. Maybe I saw too many Hollywood movies and all the impossible perfection they supplied my mind with, but I still feel like Christmas should somehow involve snow.

But there is one thing that happened in my house when I was growing up, and that was Christmas cookies. My mother made dozens and dozens of them for us to eat and give to our teachers and friends. I can remember coming home from school and eating them with a glass of milk, and watching my mom roll dough into a ball and then rolling it around in a bowl of sugar to make Molasses Cookies. I think they were my favorite out of all the kinds she made.

I've said many times that I wish I had some of her recipes, but I never asked her for any, and by the time I was interested she had already passed away. But I think she would have loved and approved of this wonderful recipe I found for Molasses Cookies in Taste of Home magazine. They are wonderful, and smell so good.

These cookies are quite soft, and are quite large too. Shaping the dough into 2-inch balls is the perfect size, I think. And they keep well for a few days in a container with a tight fitting lid.

I made a batch for my family and the grandkids loved them. We also gave some to friends who raved about them too. So they are going to be part of my cookie-making this year, and I'll be sharing them with friends and family.

Recipe for Molasses Cookies

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups butter, softened

2 cups sugar, plus 1/4 cup for rolling dough in

2 large eggs

1/2 cup molasses

4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

4 teaspoons ground ginger

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, and salt; gradually add to cream mixture and mix together well.

Shape dough into 2-inch balls and roll in sugar until well coated. Place 2 1/2 inches apart on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, or until tops are cracked. Place on wire racks to cool.

Makes 2 dozen cookies.

-Post by Patricia 

Pumpkin and Black Bean Enchiladas Dinner

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #ad #MakeHeartburnHistory #CollectiveBias

I don't know about you, but for some reason these fall days seem to be flying by for me and my family. We recently moved to Nevada from the Seattle area, and it's taking me a while to adjust to all this warm sunshine so close to Thanksgiving. But moving here means we get to spend more time with family and friends, and I'm really loving that.

Getting together with everyone on Thanksgiving Day doesn't always work out, so we enjoy having friends over for dinner either right before or just after Thanksgiving. It's always fun and relaxed, and the meal usually has some traditional ingredients in it.

These Pumpkin and Black Bean Enchiladas are a favorite recipe of mine. They taste delicious and the pumpkin gives them an earthy flavor that I really like. And of course, they're pretty spicy too, which can sometimes give me heartburn and really interfere with enjoying my holiday meal.

I know a lot of people who are like me and don't eat their favorite holiday foods because they are afraid of getting heartburn. If you suffer from heartburn, you know just what I'm talking about, and how it can come on so quickly and severely.

Fortunately, I've found a solution for my frequent heartburn and it makes all the difference in how I can enjoy myself and relax during the holiday season.

Nexium® 24HR 42ct Tablets is for frequent heartburn like mine, and just one pill a day provides all-day, all-night protection*.

I've suffered from heartburn for years, so finding a product that really works makes a big difference in my life. I've gone to holiday dinners and parties where I could only eat bland food and drink water because I'm afraid of what could happen if I let myself eat what I really wanted.

And it sure is a lot more fun to cook your favorite recipes like these enchiladas when you know you can eat them!

What I like so much about Nexium® 24HR is that it's a 14-day course of treatment that helps protect you from frequent heartburn for up to 4 months*. That means you are already prepared for enjoying your favorite foods during the holidays or other times without worry.

Nexium® 24HR may take 1-4 days for full effect*. It's not immediate relief. But for me, planning ahead makes all the difference.

Now I'd love to share this yummy recipe with you for my enchiladas. The recipe makes eight, which will be enough for 4-6 people, and it can easily be doubled. I also like adding either chicken or leftover turkey if it's after Thanksgiving.

These also have onions and jalapeno peppers in them which give them their spiciness. Do be careful when handling and slicing the peppers because you can irritate your skin from the oils. Wash your hands well after touching them. 



Recipe for Pumpkin and Black Bean Enchiladas

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1 15-oz. can pumpkin
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1 1/2 cups cooked and chopped chicken or turkey
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
8 6-inch corn tortillas
1 cup salsa

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 2-quart baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.

In a large frying pan, heat oil on medium-high heat. Add onion and jalapeno pepper, cook 5 minutes, or until onion is soft. Stir in pumpkin, 1 1/2 cups water, chili powder, salt, and cumin; heat through.

Place beans in a large bowl, mash slightly with a fork. Stir in half of the pumpkin mixture, chicken or turkey, and 1/2 cup of the cheese. Spoon a generous 1/3 cup bean mixture onto each tortilla, roll up tortillas. Place seam sides down in prepared baking dish.

Bake, covered, 15 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered 10 minutes more or until heated through. Serve with salsa spread on top.

You can find Nexium® 24HR 42ct Tablets at your local Walgreens in the Heartburn aisle.

Through November 1-30, look for an In-Store Walgreens coupon - $2.00 off Nexium 24HR (48 ct.) and a special In-Store price - Two Nexium 24HR (28 ct.) for $40.00. And on November 13, there's a coupon for  $5.00 off on Nexium 24HR (28 ct. and 42 ct.).

Do you suffer from frequent heartburn and wish you could find relief to enjoy the holiday foods you love? What's your favorite food that you love to eat, leave me a comment below, I'd love to know!

Disclaimer* - May take 1 to 4 days for full effect. Use as directed.

German Apple Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

I don't know about you, but Halloween sort of exhausted me this year. Between cooking and baking, and parties and trick-or-treating, I needed a rest. Of course, these are all things I love doing and love spending time with my family, but it's a nice lull right now before the Thanksgiving madness starts.

I've been wanting to make this German Apple Cake for awhile now, ever since I saw the recipe in one of my Taste Of Home magazines. The combination of apples and walnuts are one of my favorites, especially during this time of year. The recipe actually calls for pecans, but since I had just bought a giant 5 pound bag of shelled walnuts, I used them instead and it worked out great.

I like this cake as one you can take on a fall picnic, or tailgating at the game, or to someone's house. It's sturdy and smells and tastes just like fall. The cream cheese frosting is one of my favorites, and absolutely worth the effort to make it. I really don't like the taste of already-made frosting anymore even though it's convenient in a pinch. But honestly, there's nothing like homemade.

Recipe for German Apple Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting

Ingredients:

3 large eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup vegetable oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups chopped and peeled apples

3/4 cup pecans (or walnuts)

For frosting:

1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, softened

2 teaspoons butter, softened

2 cups confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl, beat the eggs, sugar, oil and vanilla. Combine the flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; add to egg mixture and mix well. Fold in apples and nuts.

Pour into a greased 13x9-inch baking dish. Bake for 45-50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and butter. Add confectioners' sugar, beating until smooth. Spread on cooled cake.

Makes 12 servings.



Turkey Pumpkin Sliders for Game Day Dinner and Giveaway #FosterFarmsGameday

* I was sent product coupons for my recipe. All opinions expressed are my own.

I must admit I am a bit of a bandwagon kinda gal when it comes to football. I know this may cause some die hard fans to gasp but I am a football fan and that is all that matters to me. I like to root for many teams and have a favorite of the 2 teams that are currently playing each time. I will always root for home teams near me out of loyalty to my area of course first. This time of year we like to watch college football sometimes more than NFL since it is people in school earning degrees and doing sports I find it an inspiration to my son to watch

A big part of football watching for many families is the food they eat during the game. There are many go to recipes for burgers, wings and dips that are traditional at a game day gathering. I wanted to try something a little more Fall inspired for my burgers this time. I found inspiration in one of my favorite Fall treats pumpkin spice! I added onions and pickles to help balance the sweetness of pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice.

Turkey Pumpkin Sliders Recipe

1 lb. Foster Farms Ground Turkey
1/2 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup diced red onions
1/2 cup diced dill pickles
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
dash of salt and pepper

Directions:
Combined all ingredients in a bowl. Form into small round patties. Place in pan to bake in oven at 350 degrees F. for approximately 30 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Your oven may vary on time. Allow to slightly cool and add toppings per guest taste.

Serving sliders at a Game Day gathering makes it easy to grab and eat while still sitting on the couch and watching the game. I serve two at a time to my family and let them add the toppings they like. I enjoy cooking with Ground Turkey for the lower fat content and variety of ways I can use it in everyday recipes. Foster Farms Simply Raised Ground Turkey is 100% natural*, California-grown with no added hormones, steroids or antibiotics ever. Visit fosterfarms.com for delicious and easy party meal ideas.

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To enter, users simply need to share a photo or up to a 2-minute video demonstrating how they tackle their chicken come game day – whether it’s dressing up corn dogs or stuffing strips into wraps to satisfy the whole family long past kickoff. 

Entrants will qualify to win weekly gift cards worth $100, a First Prize of a catered home viewing party, plus the Grand Prize: a VIP trip for two to the Foster Farms Bowl! Plus, every video submitted generates a donation of 50 meals to local food banks – turning your Foster Farms fandom into real help for the hungry.

Giveaway for $82 worth of Foster Farms coupons for one winner.

1 Winner (US Only) they would get: ($82 in value).

1 of the $6.99 Foster Farms Turkey Tray Pack Item Coupon

5 of the $9.99 Foster Farms Frozen Cooked Chicken Coupons

1 of the $25 Foster Farms Free Whole Turkey Coupon

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*Limited to US residents 18 years old and above. Giveaway starts November 2, 2016 and ends on November 11, 2016 at 12:01 am PST. Winner will be emailed and has 48 hours to respond before another winner is selected. I was not paid for this giveaway or post. The opinions on this item are 100% mine and may vary from others. The sponsor is responsible for providing the prize.

Praline Topped Apple Bread Recipe

Last night we celebrated Halloween with family and a few friends who came over for dinner and trick-or-treating. It was a lot of fun, especially since out new neighborhood here in Nevada is so walker friendly. My grandchildren brought home a ton of candy, so of course they thought the night was a huge success. Halloween has always been one of my favorite holidays, and this year made it all the better by sharing it with those we love.

So now that the month of November is here, I wanted to share this yummy apple dessert with everyone. There's something about November that makes me want to make cozy apple recipes, they just speak to me of home, and family.

This recipe for Praline Topped Apple Bread is from Taste Of Home Fall Baking Magazine. I've really come to love this magazine and the cookbooks too, they are filled with wonderful and easy recipes for home cooks.

I made this apple bread for my family and it was a big hit. The flavor is rich and intense, and the apples and pecans blend together beautifully. I'll be making it again for friends and neighbors at Thanksgiving, this time in miniature loaves. The little loaves are so cute, and a food gift is always special and appreciated.

Recipe for Praline Topped Apple Bread

Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1cup sugar

1 cup (8 ounces) sour cream

2 large eggs

3 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups peeled and chopped apples

1 1/4 cup chopped pecans, divided

1/2 cup butter, cubed

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. In another bowl, beat sugar, sour cream, eggs and milk until well blended. Stir into flour mixture just until moistened. Fold in apples and 3/4 cup pecans.

Transfer to a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Remove to a wire rack to cool completely.

In a small sauce pan, combine butter and brown sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly to dissolve sugar, boil 1 minute. Spoon over bread. Sprinkle with remaining pecan. Let stand until set.

-Post by Patricia