No no I'm not wondering how I can have these things ready for Christmas when I have no space in the new fridge for even a container of juice. I'm not wondering that. It's cold outside. I could always keep things in the backyard and hire security trolls to keep the raccoons out.
FOR DEC-25 MORNING -strata?
FOR DEC-25 AFTERNOON - Squash Soup + "Dessert" (pumpkin cupcakes? blueberry pie? carrot cupcakes? fruit salad? gingerbread apple upside down cake?) + cranberry sauce (already made)
FOR DEC-25 EVENING - Raisin Pie, Blueberry Pie
FOR DEC-26 - Peanut Butter Cookies (with chocolate) or these Peanut Butter Cookies
HOLIDAY SNACKING: Pepita Brittle, Cheese Straws,
Curried Squash and Apple Soup
2 small buttercup or butternut squash
1 stick of butter
2 med onions rough chopped
3 stalks celery rough chopped
3 med carrots rough chopped
1 Tbs cinnamon
1/2 tsp cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 tsp curry powder
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
1/8 cup maple sugar (or brown i guess would also work)
4 apples
2/3 c. brandy
12 c water
1/4 c honey (optional)
1. Slice squash in half lengthwise and place cut side down in a buttered pan with 1/2 c. water and bake 1 hour in 350 oven (until tender). Then cool, seed, peel and rough chop cooked squash.
2. In a large pot melt butter, onion, carrot & celery and cook 10 minutes
3. Add sugar and spices and cook 5 mins
4. Add apples and brandy and cook 10 mins
5. Add squash and 12 cups of water and simmer for an hour.
5. Cool and puree in a food processor
6. Stir in honey (optional - taste it first and see if you want more sweetness)
For the dessert, Smitten Kitchen's pumpkin cupcakes or very interesting looking winter fruit salad (pears, apples, figs, apricots - made overnight) or, and I think this might be the winner because cupcakes are such a pain to transport even though they're so fun to eat... The Gingerbread Apple UpsideDown Cake Ok, it's the upside down thing that's sold it. Shush do not even suggest little cupcake sized upside down cakes. I'm not listening to that idea or thinking about how fantastic it would be if it worked. The whole point of cupcakes is EASY and even muffin wrapperable for ease of eating. Upside down cupcakes would have none of that. Not listening.
I just realized that I'm not actually sure my cookie sheets fit in my 24" gas oven.
Clearly there needs to be some preliminary tests and today's the day!
Brown Butter Cookies and, because I'm craving it... Tomato Cilantro soup
