Christmas Miscellania

We had a busy final weekend before packing up to head East tomorrow! I spent more time communing with my Southern roots through food, whipping up cheese straws, oysterettes and English trifle (not really Southern per se, but reminds me of family and gave me an excuse to use the pretty trifle dish we received as a wedding present). 

 Cheese straws were always something we just bought a tin of before Christmas, but I couldn't find 'em in Montana, so I had to do store-bought one better.  This recipe from Southern Living via Allrecipes.com was just perfect.  

Prep: 30 min., Bake: 12 min per batch. If you don't have a heavy-duty stand mixer, you can use a handheld mixer. Just divide the ingredients in half, and work with two batches.

Yield: Makes about 10 dozen

Ingredients

• 1 1/2  cups  butter, softened
• 1  (1-pound) block sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
• 1 1/2  teaspoons  salt
• 1  to 2 teaspoons ground red pepper
• 1/2  teaspoon  paprika
• 4  cups  all-purpose flour

Preparation

Beat first 5 ingredients at medium speed with a heavy-duty stand mixer until blended. Gradually add flour, beating just until combined.
Use a cookie press with a star-shaped disk to shape mixture into long ribbons, following manufacturer's instructions, on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Cut ribbons into 2-inch pieces.
Bake at 350° for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool.
Cheese Wafers: Combine ingredients as directed; chill dough 2 hours. Shape dough into 4 (8-inch-long) logs; wrap each in plastic wrap, and chill 8 hours. Cut each log into 1/4-inch-thick slices; place on parchment paper-lined baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 13 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Store in an airtight container 1 week.

 

Ann Porter, Jefferson City, Tennessee, Southern Living, MARCH 2006

 

Here are those lamps I found at Target last week.  They have the tiniest harps and don't allow for a normal size bulb and we have these dinky little CFL's in there that hardly light the room.  I might cave and buy incandescents, just for some decent light.  But anyway, I love the lamps.

 

 

 

So as Mr. and Mrs. Mountain Man, we are signing off for the week and wishing you all days that are merry and bright, and a Christmas of whatever shade you choose.  Safe travels and we'll see you in the New Year!