By the time you read this my house will be quiet again. James and family were here for the weekend and went to Amy’s parents on Tuesday. Most of my family was here on Christmas Day. Leah, Bart and Alexis went to Prague, Czech Republic to visit Abby for Christmas as she wasn’t able to come home. We will be anxious to hear about their travels. Sarah tries to save some of her vacation time so she can come home from Sweden and she made it and was able to spend some time with her new niece and the Schmidt side of her family also. As the years go by it gets more difficult all the time to have everyone together at the same time.
The snow we got on Thursday made for a white Christmas. At least it didn’t interrupt too many plans as the roads were open and on Friday the sun was really bright even though the temperature certainly said otherwise. We warned the Texans to make sure to bring plenty of warm clothes although we could find plenty to fill in if necessary. Just the other day I was going through a dresser and found a pile of neck scarfs we used to wear. Hopefully the kids will think there is a novelty and will take some of them home. Mary came after work one evening and helped to pack the bags for gifting. Years ago I made a red bag for each of the kids and they had to leave them to be reused. This year I didn’t find them until we were done so we used garbage bags that they can take home with them. I guess I better find a better storage place for the red ones for next year. I’m thinking someone else picked them up and didn’t put them in the plastic bag that I had always used. Oops, Ruth said I picked them up, they are found and ready for another year.
I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and trust you will have a blessed and prosperous New Year. We never know what will happen and will take one day at a time. Sometimes our plans are changed but we look forward to each new day regardless of what it brings. Happy New Year!!
Game Time Stromboli
2 tubes refrigerated pizza crust
8 ounces thinly slice part-skim mozzarella cheese
8 ounces thinly sliced mortadella
8 ounces thinly sliced prosciutto
1 teaspoon garlic powder
8 ounces thinly sliced salami
1 large green pepper, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons shredded Asiago cheese
1 teaspoon dried parsley
Marinara sauce, warmed
Preheat oven to 425º. On a greased baking sheet, unroll one pizza crust and pat into a 16×13-inch rectangle. Layer half of the mozzarella cheese, deli meats (mortadella and prosciutto or your choice) and green pepper lengthwise down center third of crust, leaving a 1/2 inch border at each end. Fold up long sides of crust over filling, pinching seam and ends to seal. Fold up ends. Cut slits in top. Repeat with remaining ingredients. Sprinkle each with half of the Asiago cheese, garlic powder and parsley. Bake 16- 20 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with marinara sauce.
Pepperoni Pizza Chili
2 pounds ground beef
1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 large green pepper, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 jar ( 16 ounces) salsa
1 can (16 ounces) hot chili beans, undrained
1 can (16 ounces) kidney beans, rinsed and drained
1 can (12 ounces) pizza sauce
1 package (8 ounces) sliced pepperoni, halved
1 cup water
2 teaspoons chili powder
1/2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
In a Dutch oven, cook the beef, sausage, onion, green pepper and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain.
Stir in the salsa, beans, pizza sauce, pepperoni, water, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle servings with cheese. 12 servings
Broadway Brownies
Filling:
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Brownie:
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoons baking powder
1 cup chopped walnuts
Topping:
1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 cups miniature marshmallows
Frosting:
1/4 cup butter
1/4 cup milk
2 ounces cream cheese
1 ounce unsweetened chocolate
3 cups confectioners’ sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
Preheat oven to 350º. Combine first six ingredients until smooth; set aside.
In a large saucepan over medium heat, melt butter and chocolate. Remove from heat and cool. Stir in eggs and vanilla. Add sugar, flour, baking powder and nuts, stirring until blended.
Spread filling over batter. For topping, in small bowl, combine chocolate chips and nuts; sprinkle over filling. Bake 28 minutes or until almost set. Sprinkle with marshmallows; bake 2 minutes longer. For frosting, beat butter, milk, cream cheese and chocolate until melted; stir until smooth. Remove from heat; stir in confectioners; sugar and vanilla. Immediately drizzle over marshmallows. Chill well; cut into bars. Makes 2 1/2 dozen.
