I see Christmas is sneaking up on us really fast. I am certain that you all know I have really been trying to be good, but at that point I must rest my case. As I ponder over a few circumstances that I am afraid you might have heard about, I think the only thing left from me to do is to come clean and admit that you heard right. But why would anyone with the years of experience that I have had, be part of something that defies good sense. My only recourse is to blame my little sneaky friend who is always stirring in my business, making a mess of things. I really had my Thanksgiving dinner plans under rigid control. I had invited those who needed a place to share the noon meal to come to my house. I carefully list what I am making and issue the fact that whatever else they do not bring, we will not eat! It always works wonderfully and we have more food than we know what to do with.
I have a favorite recipe for Easy Meat Balls that I ordinarily have an extra one prepared in the freezer ready for unexpected guests. As the day approached, I began to think maybe I should use the two 8x 8 baking dishes full that I had prepared when I found a really good deal at the local grocery store on low fat ground beef. So I intelligently took them from the freezer in advance so they would be ready to use for our noon meal. So far, so good. I even managed to have a time schedule so they would be ready the same time as my Honey Mustard Chicken that was already cooking in the oven. I very confidently put the first one in the oven. As I was doing the second one, I removed the elastic bound plastic cover from the dish, I thought, ”Oh, Oh!” I did not remember removing the cover of the first one. Sure enough, and it was worse than I thought. I had used Glad Wrap on that one and the whole thing had disintegrated except that that was clinging desperately to the sides of my dish. There was none on the food, so I scraped off what I could and we ate it, but I am still digging off plastic from that dish! Reheating it was not a successful operation.
Guess I am a slow learner and should really pay more attention to that little old lady that tries to help me when I really do not need any interference. This time I was so proud of myself that I was doing Christmas cookies earlier than I ever start. I keep my flour in a Tupper Ware container that holds over five pounds of flour. I was so proud of myself because I had put it back where it is stored instead of leaving it set on the counter where I was mixing cookies. It must have been her that put it back because I still needed it to roll out the cutout cookies. It is stored above the dryer and is a tricky reach for me, but I can master it with no problems. Wrong! As I stretched to reach the container and pull it from the cupboard, wouldn’t you know that she had left the small flour sifter sitting on top of the container. It was less than half full , but I know there was more flour than that, and it landed directly on top of my head! I think that I thought a bad word or two. Anyway, it was the first time that I washed my own hair at home since I retired and became a lady of leisure and luxury and have my hair done each Saturday morning.
Since both of these atrocities happened when I was preparing food, my advice will be carefully scanned, so I am going to use really simple recipes this time. For years and years a favorite of mine is one that that my daughter told me about and we used it for her wedding reception. You may want to use it for your Christmas festivities. I make it every year for a son-in-law’s birthday. I think I gave it to you years ago, but it might be a suggestion for you younger cooks.
CHEESE AND BOILED EGG SPREAD
1 pound of Velveeta cheese
2 cups Miracle whip
4 hard boiled eggs, chopped
1 tablespoon bacon bits, more if you prefer
Melt cheese in microwave at 50% power. Do not over heat. Stir in Miracle Whip and blend thoroughly. Add eggs and bacon bits. Serve with favorite crackers. To make a smaller amount of spread, just remember to use as much Miracle Whip as you use cheese and add egg and bacon bits according to your preference.
How about a dessert that takes only 15 minutes to prepare? Let it chill while you are preparing the rest of the meal.
PISTACHIO CREAM PIE
1 prepared 9 inch graham cracker crust
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese
1 cup milk
1 package (3.4 oz.) pistachio instant pudding
1 can( 8 oz.) crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups whipped topping
Toasted coconut
Mix the cream cheese, milk and pudding until smooth. Fold in drained pineapple. Place in graham cracker crust. Spread top with whipped topping and sprinkle with coconut. Refrigerate until served.
The spirit finally got to me and I started decorating for Christmas. Since I am having no celebrations at my home, I am doing less than usual. I like them during the season. But I hate removing them and packing them away. I enjoy seeing all of the ones a lot of you so laboriously produce.
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