December 26

White Chili with Salsa Verde

So…. this is the opposite of the  traditional RED chili pepper, beef version of  a Texas Chili recipe, but, I’m including it in my Chili recipes because it uses chiles (green) and beans (a  controversial ingredient to some Chili experts).

It is ladled over bowls,  filled with  crushed tortilla chips and Montery Jack Cheese , almost making it a “white”  variation of a  tortilla soup.

A little Salsa Verde spooned on top adds a perfect finish.

My dear friend, Margaret, sent me this recipe several years ago to serve on Christmas Eve. (She is often that little voice in the back of my head, telling me to eat healthier).  This is healthy, hearty, as well as unbelievably good.

Of course, my Christmas Eve feast also included extra tortilla chips for Salsa Verde dipping, and I have to confess (sorry Maggi), I made a quick qucamole, and a few simple individual cheese nachos alongside. But it’s okay, that little voice is telling me …”everything is good in moderation!”

enjoy……

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December 9

Betty’s Pecan Bars

This is a classic holiday sweet to take to friends, family or just to have around the house for everyone to enjoy! Our family loves to eat these, and my sister Betty has mastered this recipe.  It’s a close tie to the classic Pecan Pie, and you can always cut the bars into whatever size works for your entertaining or family.

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December 9

Betty’s Banana Nut Bread

My sister Betty is great at finding fail-proof recipes, that usually travel well. Since Texas is a BIG state, her creations have traveled all over the state to relatives and friends houses for holidays, birthdays, and family reunions.

 

She’s baked this Banana Bread recipe for years, and gives all credit to a little cookbook published back in the early 60’s by the Mt Olive Lutheran Ladies Aid in Houston, Texas. I don’t know it that officially makes it a “Retro” Recipe, but it’s a keeper.

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December 9

Dijon Chicken Thighs

Here’s an easy way to marinate chicken thighs for as little as 15 minutes, or let sit in refrigerator for a couple of hours, or, a day, and…. it uses one of my favorite inventions of the 20th Century…. plastic storage Hefty or Ziploc bags! (I prefer Hefty with the sliding sealer or the blue strip). No mess!

If you buy the economy size of chicken thighs, you can double or triple the marinate and make-ahead and package up several portions in bags and freeze for later! All you will have to do, is take out of freezer, thaw in bag, put in ovenproof casserole and bake.

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December 7

Chocolate Stout Bundt Cake

I took this Bundt Cake to a fund-raiser “walk-in” coffee at the Presbyterian church and got great reviews until I mentioned it had Guinness and some were a little surprised. But noticed one of the special volunteers managed to get a few pieces to take with as we were dividing up the leftovers.

The combination of the Guinness and molasses make an extreme dense and intense flavor, paired with an awesome chocolate glaze.

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December 7

Pumpkin Sage Bundt Cake

I have made this for several years for Thanksgiving instead of pumpkin pie (Not really a comparison since I love pumpkin pie) but love the sage, ginger, walnuts and texture of this savory fail proof bundt cake. I like it served plain, or, of course, with a little whipped cream on top.

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December 7

Ramen Noodle & Slaw Salad

I also call this “Eve’s Asian Slaw Reunion Salad”

Every two years we have a family reunion in a small rural community in Texas that’s Potluck. Since some are coming from surrounding areas, here’s one of our favorite “make-ahead” salads, that we requested the recipe for. Here is Eve’s  version, and please see her idea for sharing recipes at reunions below. Continue reading

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