Advertisements

Napa Valley Chocolate Marshmallow Snowmen

At Napa Valley Chocolates in St. Helena, California, Candy Dreyer delights in creating special holiday sweets, often with a touch of humor that brings out the smiles. Favorites with her customers are these marshmallow snowmen.NOTES: Buy candy designed to melt for coating or dipping; it`s usually found beside cooking chocolates at the supermarket. For easy dipping, melt more than needed to coat the marshmallows; save the extra for other uses. Candies suited for decorations (whole or cut in pieces) include orange, green, or red gumdrops, black licorice sticks or thin black licorice whips (or strings), small colored candies, miniature chocolate chips, and colored sugars.To make a drying rack for snowmen, cut top flaps from a corrugated cardboard box, leaving a neat edge. Make holes in the corrugated edge by pushing a craft or lollipop stick into the edge at 4-inch intervals. Place a couple of food cans (3 to 4 pounds total) in the box so it will sit steady. Push snowman-filled sticks into prepared holes to hold confections vertically while candy firms.Makes 6 marshmallow snowmenCandies for decorating or dried currants
1 cup (6 ounces) chopped red, green, or brown
    candy chips or chunks made for melted coatings
18 large marshmallows
6 (3 1/2-inch) wood craft sticks or (8-inch) cardboard lollipop sticks
2 cups (12 ounces) chopped white candy chips or
    chunks made for melted coatings
1 to 2 teaspoons solid shortening (optional)
6 (4 x 8-inch) cellophane bags
Red or green ribbons (1/4-inch wide)Assemble candies for decorating by colors. If desired, cut orange gumdrops into slender wedges for carrot-shaped noses, green gumdrops into leaves, red gumdrops into berries, licorice sticks into twig-like arms.To make hats, heat chopped red (or green or brown) candy chips in a 1-cup glass measure or small, deep microwave-safe bowl in a microwave oven at 50% power until chips are soft, 2 to 2 1/2 minutes. Stir candy until smooth; if lumpy, heat in a microwave oven for 20-second intervals, stirring frequently.Line a 12- x 15-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking paper, cooking parchment or wax paper. Set 6 marshmallows, flat side down, at least 2 inches apart on paper. Spoon about 1 tablespoon melted red (or color of choice) candy onto the center of 1 marshmallow top and quickly, using a small metal spatula or dinner knife, spread candy over top and around side of marshmallow; spread excess that flows onto paper into a 1/2-inch-wide rim for the hat. Add more melted candy, as needed, to make brim even. If desired, while candy is still soft, decorate hat with gumdrops cut to resemble leaves and berries (see notes). Repeat to make remaining hats. Chill hats, uncovered, until firm to touch, about 10 minutes.To make snowmen, line another 12- x 15-inch baking sheet with nonstick cooking paper, baking parchment or wax paper. Dip 1 craft stick about 3 inches into water. Slide through the center of a flat end of 1 marshmallow, then into, but not through, a second marshmallow, pushing them together. Repeat to make remaining snowmen; lay on the baking sheet.In a 2-cup glass measure or small, deep microwave-safe bowl, heat chopped white candy chips in a microwave oven at 50% power until chips are soft, about 2 minutes. Stir candy until smooth; if lumpy, return to the microwave oven and heat for 20-second intervals, stirring frequently. If mixture is too thick for dipping (it varies with brands), stir in solid shortening; heat at 20-second intervals and stir often.One stick at a time, quickly dip marshmallows into white candy to coat, using a spoon to pour candy over uncovered spots. Lift stick, letting excess candy drip back into cup. Lay marshmallow men at least 3 inches apart on paper-lined pan.While candy coating is still soft, but not runny, make a face on the side of the top marshmallow of each stick. Use gumdrop wedge (see notes) for the nose, and chocolate chips, currants, or other small candies for eyes. On bottom marshmallow, press tiny candies down center for buttons; use thin licorice strips for twiggy arms or scarves. Pick up a stick and set hat on the snowman`s head. If marshmallow coating firms before decorating is complete, glue with more melted candy (reheat in microwave, as needed). Stand snowman upright (see notes for rack). Repeat to make other snowmen.When coating is firm to touch, 5 to 10 minutes, slip a cellophane bag over each snowman. Tie ribbons around bottom to close bag.Per snowman: 431 cal., 40% (171 cal.) from fat; 0.4 g protein; 19 g fat (17 g sat.); 65 g carbo (0 g fiber); 81 mg sodium; 0 mg chol

New england stuffing
New England StuffingThis is the only recipe MY MOTHER asked me to have and for a proud cook, that`s a big deal! I love it! It`s different and yet comforting and familiar. 1 pound hot Italian sausage, casings removed1/4 cup unsalted butter2 large onion, chopped2 cups chopped cel (Upload by user)

Green chile stuffing
Green Chile Stuffing1 tablespoon butter 2 tablespoons sesame oil2 medium onions, chopped2 cups chopped mushrooms 1 large green chile pepper, chopped (mild to medium hot) 2 cups colorful bell peppers (red and yellow preferred, green okay) 2 (16 ounce) packages frozen whole (Upload by user)

Joan hamburg`s ritz cracker stuffing
Joan Hamburg`s Ritz Cracker StuffingServes 8 to 101/2 cup chicken fat or vegetable oil5 medium large yellow onions (not Spanish),    cut in 1/4 inch dice (about 7 cups diced onion)1 (1 pound) box (4 sleeves) Ritz crackers,    crumbled as per di (Upload by user)

Cornbread dressing
Cornbread DressingSubmitted to Recipe Goldmine by Peggy Mc. Calhoun, LouisianaThis is easy to make and is very good!Boil a chicken in enough water to make a rich broth.Make Aunt Jemima Yellow Cornmeal cornbread according to package directions.1 large onion, choppedb (Upload by user)

Taffy apple salad
Taffy Apple SaladGreat for potlucks, this really has the "familiar" taste of taffy apples!1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks (in juice)2 cups tiny marshmallows1/2 cup granulated sugar1 tablespoon flour2 tablespoons vinegar1 egg, beaten6 to 7 red and green a (Upload by user)

Vegetarian mushroom gravy
Vegetarian Mushroom Gravy1 1/2 cups boiling water1/2 ounce assorted dried wild mushrooms2 tablespoons butter2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil1 (14 ounce) can vegetable broth5 tablespoons flour1/2 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon pepper1/4 teaspoon onion powder1/4 t (Upload by user)

Eggnog Custard Pie
Eggnog Custard PieContributed to Recipe Goldmine by Barbara M. Albuquerque, New MexicouFilling/u3 eggs1/3 cup granulated sugar1/8 teaspoon salt1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg2 cups eggnog (not canned)1 teaspoon vanilla extractuTopping/u1/2 to 1 cup w (Upload by user)

Classic prime rib roast
Classic Prime Rib RoastRecipe and photograph courtesy of This roast is impressive and you`ll love how easy it is.Prep: 5 minutesCook: 2 1/2 to 3 hoursServes 8 121 (6 to 8 pound) well trimmed beef rib roast, chine bone removed 6 large cloves garlic, crushed (Upload by user)

Cranberry Chicken
Cranberry Chicken1 can whole cranberry sauce1 (8 ounce) bottle Catalina salad dressingChicken breasts, skinless and bonelessPreheat oven to 350 degrees F.Place chicken breasts in a 9 x 13 inch baking pan.Combine cranberry sauce and salad dressing. Pour over chicken br (Upload by user)

Kahlua baked ham
Kahlua Baked Ham1 (10 pound) pre cooked ham3/4 cup brown sugar1/2 cup Kahl?a plus 3 tablespoons Kahl?a2 tablespoons dry mustardWhole clovesPreheat oven to 300 degrees F.Place ham with rind on rack in roasting pan, fat side up. Roast in preheated oven 18 minutes per p (Upload by user)
TAG: tablespoons, baked, kahlua, ,

Oven Roasted Ten Herb Chicken
Oven Roasted Ten Herb Chicken4 halves small roasting chicken or     4 "airline" chicken breasts (they have the     wing still attached to the breast) 1/2 cup olive oil 5 cloves garlic, thinly sliced 1 tablespoon basil, finely chopped br (Upload by user)
TAG: chopped, chicken, tablespoon, finely, minutes, potatoes, beans, fresh, parsley, roasted, olive, garlic, ,

Standing rib roast with horseradish sauce
Standing Rib Roast with Horseradish Sauce3/4 cup all purpose flour 1 tablespoon paprika 3 garlic cloves, minced 1 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper 1 (3 or 4 rib roast) trimmed of excess fat, feather bone    and ribs loosened and tied in place (Upload by user)
TAG: roast, horseradish, sauce, thermometer, minutes, degrees, place, pound, roasting, pepper, tablespoon, teaspoon, standing, ,

Bourbon and Mustard Glazed Turkey
Bourbon and Mustard Glazed Turkey1 whole turkey (14 pound) with giblets1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste12 cups Cornbread Dressing3/4 cup bourbon1/4 cup Dijon mustard or spicy brown mustard1/4 cup brown sugar, packed3 ta (Upload by user)
TAG: turkey, mustard, brown, roasting, bourbon, stock, glaze, stuffing, degrees, sugar, remove, cover, minutes, teaspoon, aluminum, glazed, small, breast, medium, remaining, hours, lightly, pepper, cavity, water, place, ,

Apple glazed beef brisket
Apple Glazed Beef Brisket1 (5 pound) beef brisket1 medium onion, quartered 2 cloves garlic, cut into halves 10 whole cloves 1 (10 ounce) jar apple jelly 3 tablespoons brown mustard 3 tablespoons minced green onion Salt, to taste 3/4 teaspoon pepper 3/4 teaspoon (Upload by user)
TAG: cloves, onion, brisket, glazed, ,

Baked Ham with Raspberry and Dijon Mustard Glaze
Baked Ham with Raspberry and Dijon Mustard GlazeServes 8 to 10, with leftovers.12 ounces frozen, unsweetened raspberries 1 (16 ounce) jar red currant jelly 1 (8 ounce) jar Dijon mustard Precooked whole ham, bones in, 10 to 13 pounds1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar 1 (Upload by user)
TAG: glaze, mustard, dijon, raspberry, jelly, baked, ,

Christmas Pudding
Christmas Pudding1 cup all purpose flour Pinch of salt 1 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon finely grated nutmeg 1 cup vegetable shortening, such as Crisco, frozen and finely grated 1 apple, grated 2 cups fresh white bread crumbs 2 c (Upload by user)
TAG: pudding, grated, steam, boiling, water, large, lemon, finely, christmas, teaspoon, ,