Oktoberfest Stoup

My mom made this recipe for our Christmas lunch and oh goodness does it make a delicious soup (or “stoup” as Rachael Ray terms her recipes that are somewhere between a stew and a soup). I found the recipe in the chef’s 30-minute Get Real Meals book.
2 TB vegetable oil
2 TB butter, cut into [...]

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1 clove garlic, peeled and minced
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
1 (14 ounce) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/2 cup frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained
DIRECTIONS
1 Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. [...]

Wassail

I quadrupled the batch this time (recipe is for a single batch). I think it’s the first time I’ve actually filled up my biggest pot.
2 quarts apple juice
1 pint cranberry juice
3/4 cup sugar
2 cinnamon sticks
1 teaspoon allspice
1 small orange
8 to 12 whole cloves.
In a large crockpot combine apple and cranberry juices, then sugar. Mix well. [...]

Peppermint Kisses

Tanya Dunn made these treats one year for a Christmas party and I begged for the recipe. I like to underbake the cookies just a bit for an even chewier texture. Also, don’t forget the cooking spray!
2 egg whites
2/3 C sugar
1/4 t salt
1/2 t vanilla
2 T candy canes (or 2 candy canes), crushed
1/2 C chocolate [...]

Five Cup Salad

Or “Fluffy Orange Salad” as I like to call it. As a latecomer to Nebraska (we moved here right before 7th grade), I think fruit salads with marshmallows are quite odd. This fluffy salad does not have marshmallows and perhaps that is why I like it so much. Also, the recipe comes from my friend [...]

Eskimo Cookies!

1 1/2 sticks butter
2 cups quick oats
3/4 cup sugar
confectioner’s sugar
1 Tbsp. water
1/2 tsp. vanilla
3 Tbsp. cocoa
Soften butter in bowl. Beat well. Add sugar, mix well. Mix in water, vanilla & cocoa.  Mix in 2 cups oats.  Roll into balls.  Refrigerate overnight.  Roll in confectioner’s sugar.

December 1

I decided Needs More Butter should also participate in the December Photo Project. However, I can’t promise to do it all myself; feel free to contribute. :)