Things that kept me busy this week

Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes--Nae's Reception

TA DA TA DA
2 pt. cherry tomatoes
1 avocado, diced
1 tsp. lemon juice
1/4 c. mayonnaise
8 cooked bacon slices, crumbled
2 green onions, finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Cut a small slice from the top of each tomato; scoop out and discard pulp with a small spoon or melon baller. Place tomatoes, cut sides down on paper towels, and let stand 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, combine avacado and lemon juice in a small bowl, stirring gently; drain. Stir together mayo, bacon and green onions; add avocado mixture, and stir gently until combined.
Spoon avacado mix into tomato shells. Cover with plastic wrap, and chill 1 hour. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste just before serving.

Homemade Peppermint Oreos from KC and Christine Koppert

2 boxes Devil's food cake mix
4 eggs
2/3 c. vegetable oil

Frosting:
1 (8 oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, softened
4 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. peppermint extract (or use vanilla If you don't like peppermint)
sprinkles or crushed candy cane for decorating
green or red food coloring

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl combine the cake mix, eggs, and oil with a mixer. The batter will be very stiff. Pinch off pieces of batter and roll into 1 inch balls. (Make smaller for tea cookies) Place 1 inch apart on prepared cookie sheets and flatten slightly with fingertips. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Remove immediately from the cookie sheets with a spatula and cool on a wire rach.

In a small glass bowl, combine the cream cheese and butter until completely blended. Gradually add in the powdered sugar and extract and mix until the icing is smooth. Color frosting if desired. Spread half of the cookies with icing and top with remaining cookies.

Roll in sprinkles, crushed candy canes or leave them plain.

Store in the fridge in and airtight container or resealable plastic bag. Makes 2 dozen. Very rich.

Poor Mary

This time of year I always spend a bit of time feeling sorry 

for poor Mary. 

No one ever makes her sugar cookies.

Do you think she hung up on Ethel when she called?

Did she enter every baking contest possible in hopes of making a name for herself like Ethel?

Such a sad tale.

Merry Christmas Baking

Here is a close up so you have the recipe

 

Fudge - that sets up

1 can evap milk
4 cups sugar
3/4 c. stick marj.

Boil together 5 minutes exactly - stirring occasionally

Take off the heat, then melt in:

12oz Hershey Chocolate bar (12 oz - no more, no less, cut up a big one or buy small ones to get to 12 oz.)

1/2 pound mini marshmallows

12 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips

2 T. vanilla

Have a buttered jelly roll pan ready (no spray, thank you)

Pour it in, let it cool in the garage and enjoy!

Gorgonzola Truffles

4 oz. cream cheese
1 (4 oz) container of crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
2 tsp. finely chopped onion
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 cup crisp bacon, crumbled
Beat first four ingredients with mixer until well combined. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. (or overnight)
To serve, roll into 3/4 inch balls and roll in bacon. Serve immediately or cover well and chill till serving time.
I served this with Gala apple slices and Bartlett pear slices and small bunches of red grapes.
The balls will keep 3 or more days in refg.

New Deviled Eggs

12 eggs
3 tsp dry ranch dressing mix
1/3 or more c. mayo or salad dressing
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 T. chopped fresh chives
Boil eggs. After cooling place in refg overnight. Peel and cut in half. Mash yolks and add next ingredients. Spoon or pipe into whites and sprinkle with Paprika. They are yummy!!! Used at a party today and turned out well. Keep in refg. until served and any leftovers.