FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Cranberry sauce is always one of many holiday highlights. You can make it fresh at home instead of using that stuff in the can that's loaded  with high frutose corn syrup. It's easy and only takes 15 minutes from start to finish.


FRESH CRANBERRY SAUCE

(1) 12 oz. bag of Fresh Cranberries
1/2 to 1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup water

Bring the sugar and the water to a boil in a medium heavy saucepan. Add the fresh cranberries, then return to a boil reducing heat to a gentle boil. Boil for 10 minutes stirring occasionally. Pour into a heat/cold proof bowl and cover. Refrigerate until serving time.

Happy Homemade Eggnog

Nothing hits the spot  like a rich and creamy cup of delicious eggnog. With or without rum it is one of my all time favorite things. Added to a  morning cup of  coffee it is simply spectacular! So today I am sharing with you my all time favorite eggnog recipe. Enjoy!

Happy Homemade Eggnog

Ingredients: 

3 large eggs
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1/8 teas. salt
4 cups whole milk
1 Tab. vanilla extract
1/8 to 1/4 teas. ground nutmeg
1/8 to 1/4 teas. cinnamon
*1/4 cup dark rum (optional)

1/4  pint  heavy whipping cream
1 teas. powdered sugar
1/4 teas. vanilla extract



Ingredients: Yields 32 cups

12 large eggs
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
1/2 teas. salt
2 quarts whole milk
3 Tab. vanilla extract
1 teas. ground nutmeg
1 teas. ground cinnamon
*1 cup dark rum(optional)

1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 teas. powdered sugar
1/2 teas. vanilla extract



Directions:

In a heavy 4 qt. saucepan, whisk the eggs, granulated sugar, and salt. Gradually stir in half of the milk and cook over low heat, stirring constantly until the eggnog custard thickens and coats the back of a large metal spoon, about 25 min. The mixture should reached 160 degrees, but don't bring to a boil or it will curdle. Stir in dark rum if desired, otherwise omit. Stir in the vanilla extract, ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon and the rest of the whole milk.

Pour the eggnog custard into a large heat/cold proof bowl or container. Cover, then place in refrigerator for at least 3 hours.  Before serving prepare the whipped cream by whipping the cream, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer just until soft peaks form. Whipped cream can turn to butter quickly, so stop mixing immediately when the soft peaks form.

With a wire whisk, gently fold the whipped cream into the eggnog custard. Pour eggnog into cups, glasses or punch bowl. Garnish each cup or glass with a dash of ground nutmeg.

DELICIOUS!!!

QUICK MAC N' CHEESE SUPREME

Yummmm....There is nothing quite like the rich taste of homemade Mac N' Cheese.

QUICK MAC N' CHEESE SUPREME

(1) 16 oz. Field Day Organic elbow macroni shells or other brand
8 oz.  Velvetta cheese, cubed
3 slices of American cheese
2 oz. Sharp Cheddar cheese, cubed
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup whole milk
Black pepper, coursely ground

Cook macroni shells according manufacturer's directions. Drain. Add butter, cheeses and milk. Stir until well blended and creamy. Sprinkle with black pepper. Serve immediately.

*Variation--- Place Mac n' Cheese in a buttered cassorole dish, then sprinkle bread crumbs  over top. Place in a 350 degree oven until the bread crumbs are toasted. Remove immediately and serve.

**Variation--- To the finished Mac n' Cheese, add cooked ground beef, turkey or chicken that has been cooked with taco seasoning.

QUICK & EASY HOMEMADE PIZZA

                         Red Pepper and Cheese Pizza

Here is a quick and easy homemade pizza recipe that your family will absolutely love! You may never go to another pizza restaurant again.........

PIZZA CRUST (Makes 2 large crusts)

7 Tab. Olive Oil or Softened Butter(I prefer butter crust)
1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast or  2 1/2 teaspoons
4 cups Flour
2 Tab.  Sugar
1/2 Tab Salt
1 1/2 Cups warm water

In a small bowl dissolve the yeast in a little of the warm water. Add the sugar. Stir to dissolve. Add the rest of the warm water, then the softened butter or olive oil.  Mix.  In another bowl  mix the flour and salt. Now, slowly incorporate the flour and salt mixture into the wet ingredients. Knead dough until smooth and elastic about 3-5 minutes, adding additional flour as needed to keep the dough from getting too sticky. Place into an oiled bowl and cover with a light cloth. Set in a warm place away for 15-20 min.

While the dough is resting turn your oven on  to 400 degrees F.  Get out your pizza pan or stone  and oil it with olive oil or butter. Chop up vegetables that you are going to put on your pizza,  such as  peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. You can add a variety of toppings to your pizza or just make cheese pizza. If you are adding meat just be sure that it is pre-cooked.

After your dough has rested for the 15-20 minutes, divide it in half. Oil up your hands, then press and shape your dough onto your stone or pan. Press out flat, then roll the edges to the inside to form the edges of the pizza dough. Cover the entire dough with olive oil to prevent shrinkage during baking.

Place  your pizza stone or pan with the shaped dough into your pre-heated oven for 7-10 minutes or until it is slightly brown on top. Remove from oven. Add your pizza sauce or tomatoes, then place on your meat, then vegetables or whatever other toppings that you prefer. Cover with your choice of cheese or cheeses. Place in the oven for another 7-15 minutes depending on how many toppings that you have added to the pizza.

Cut to serve. YOU AND  YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE THIS PIZZA!

*TIPS - This recipe makes 2 large medium thickness pizza crusts. The dough can also be frozen for later use. You can let the dough rest and rise longer than 15-20 minutes if desired.

I would love to read comments about what toppings you add to your pizza. Please feel free to comment below.

Happy Eating!