Chocolate Basket Filled with Strawberries Ingredients and Materials: Chocolate squares or cubes (dark, milk and white)
Ziplock plastic bags
Scissors
Small souffle dishes
Small custard cups
Larger bowl with flat bottom
Aluminum foil Preparation: Place chocolate cubes or squares in a ziplock plastic bag and submerge in a pot of hot water to melt the chocolate. Cover the container (custard dish, small souffle dish or larger flat bowl) with aluminum foil, making sure to fan the foil at the bottom to catch the excess chocolate. Cut a small hole in the bottom of the ziplock bag and use it to drizzle the chocolate over the aluminum foil (figure A). Be sure to do this in a circular motion until the entire surface is covered completely, then pipe a good amount around the bottom for support. Place in the refrigerator until the chocolate hardens. Carefully peel the aluminum foil from the chocolate. Note: Don't oil the foil. Fill the chocolate bowl with strawberries or fruit of your choice. Meringue Mushrooms Note: This recipe is from DIY's Cake Baking and Decorating workshop. Ingredients: 1/4 cup egg whites (about 2 large)
Pinch of salt
2 Tbs. sugar
2 Tbs. powdered sugar
1 Tbs. powdered sugar mixed with 1/4 tsp. egg white (paste)
Unsweetened cocoa powder Preparation: Preheat oven to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Line baking sheet with parchment. Using electric mixer, beat egg whites and salt 1 minute to blend. Combine 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. Add to egg whites in 3 additions, beating for 20 seconds after each. Continue beating until meringue is stiff and glossy. Transfer mixture to pastry bag fitted with 1/2" plain tip. Pipe about 15 1/2" to 1" domed rounds on prepared sheet for mushroom caps. Smooth top of each with a damp finger. Pipe about 15 1/2"- to 1"-high peaked mounds on prepared sheets for stems. Bake until meringues are dry and beginning to color, about 1-3/4 hours. Cool completely. Using a small knife, cut a small hole in the bottom of each mushroom cap. Dip peaked end of the stem in sugar paste (1 tablespoon powdered sugar mixed with 1/4 teaspoon egg white) and push into the hole in the mushroom cap. Repeat with remaining stems and caps. Note: The mushrooms can be prepared a day in advance. Store in airtight container and dust with cocoa powder before serving. Chocolate Spoons Ingredients and Materials: Chocolate squares or cubes (milk, dark and white)
Ziplock plastic bag
Scissors
Cutting board
Spoons (your choice of real or plastic)
Cups and saucers Preparation: Place the chocolate squares or cubes into a ziplock bag and submerge in a pot of hot water. Once the chocolate has melted, cut a small hole in the bottom of the ziplock bag. Place each spoon on the edge of a cutting board so it will be level while you pour the chocolate (figure B). Once the spoon is full of chocolate, give it a light tap to distribute the chocolate evenly. For added decoration use white chocolate to drizzle over the solid milk- or dark-chocolate spoons. Fresh Fruit Potpourri Ingredients and Materials: Decorative container of your choice
Dried oranges
Dried lemons
Dried apples
Cinnamon sticks
Bay leaves
Star anise
Cardamom
Dried cranberries If you have a dehydrator, dry the fruit in it; otherwise place the sliced fruit in the oven at 200 degrees for as long as 24 hours. In the microwave it takes about an hour at 30 percent power. Once the fruit is dried, add the cinnamon sticks, bay leaves, star anise, cardamom and dried cranberries. Mix and pour into a decorative container. (Note: The purpose of potpourri is to be fragrant and decorative, but this porpourri is completely natural and therefore safe to use around children and pets.
RESOURCES :
Holiday Fun Year-Round With Dian Thomas
ISBN: 0962125725
Fun at Home
ISBN: 0962125792
Author: Dian Thomas
Dian Thomas Communications
Website: www.dianthomas.com
Campbell's Holiday Leftover Hotline
Find out new ways to serve those yummy turkey bits, and get the recipe for a great Green Bean Bake, a winter classic invented in 1955.
Toll-free: 888-4-LEFTOVER (888-453-3868)
Web site: www.campbellsoup.com
Modern Food Gifts
Model: 1563524228
Author: Martha Gill and Ginger Schlanger
(1997)
Longstreet Press, Inc.
Marietta, GA 30067
Phone: 770-980-1488
Fax: 770-859-9894
Website: www.longstreetpress.com
Seasonal Gifts and Festive Celebration: Recipes and Ideas for Hand-Made Holiday Gifts
Model: 0754803554
Author: Sarah Ainley
Lorenz Books / Anness Publishing Inc.
Website: www.lorenzbooks.com
Cookie Gifts: Lavish Sweet And Savory Treats To Make At Home
Model: 0754805352
Author: Molly Perham
Lorenz Books / Anness Publishing Inc.
Website: www.lorenzbooks.com
Scented Gifts: From Sachets to Soap, from Gingerbread to Potpourri
Model: 1579901425
Author: Laura Dover Doran
Scented Potpourri and Floral Gifts: Fragrancing the Home with Natural Aromatics
Model: 075480142X
Author: Beverly Jollands
Great Gifts: Toast the Host
Model: 0865739889
This book is not out of print, but is hard to find. Check used book stores.
Greet the Season (Great Gifts)
Model: 0865739870
This title is difficult to find. Check with used bookstores.
Christmas Cooking for Dummies
Model: 0764554077
Author: Dede Wilson
(2001)
Ruminator Books
St. Paul, MN 55105
Phone: 651-699-7038
Fax: 651-699-7190
Email: books@ruminator.com
The Christmas Cookbook: Recipes to Celebrate the Festive Season
Model: 1842152416
Author: Sue Maggs
(2000)
Southwater Publishing (The Manning Partnership Ltd.-- Imprint of Anness Pub)
Phone: 0-1225-852727
Fax: 0-1225-85282
The Everything Christmas Recipes: Festive Holiday Fare and Treats
Model: 1580925444
Author: Editors of Adams Media
(2001)
Adams Media Corporation
Holbrook, MA 02343
Phone: 781-767-8100
Fax: 781-767-0984
The Christmas Cookie Book
Model: 0811830950
Author: Lou Seibert Pappas
(2001)
Chronicle Publishing Company
Website: www.chroniclebooks.com
Familyfun's Cookies For Christmas
Model: 0786864699
Author: Deanna F. Cook
(1998)
Hyperion Books
New York, NY 10023
Phone: 212-456-0100
Classic Crafts and Recipes for the Holidays
Model: 0609808508
Author: Martha Stewart
(2001)
William Morrow Books / Hearst Books
Website: www.harpercollins.com
Gift Of Christmas: Create Ornaments, Candles, Centerpieces and More
Model: 0865733902
Author: Editors of Creative Publishing
(1996)
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
The Spirit of Christmas: Creative Holiday Ideas
Model: 1574861964
Author: Editors of Leisure Arts
(2001)
Leisure Arts (Hot Off The Press, Inc.)
Website: www.craftpizazz.com
Christmas Crafts and Entertaining: Fun Projects and Gifts Plus Great Recipes
Model: 0865731780
Author: Editors Creative Publishing International
(1999)
Creative Publishing International, Inc.
Website: www.creativepub.com
Wrap It Up: Great Gifts (Great Gifts)
Model: 0865739862
Christmas 101: Celebrate the Holiday Season-From Christmas to New Year's
Model: 0767903994
Author: Rick Rodgers
(October, 1999)
Broadway Books/Random House, Inc.
Website: www.randomhouse.com
Bon Appetit the Christmas Season
Model: 0609607251
Author: Bon Appetit Editors
(September, 2000)
Clarkson Potter/The Crown Publishing Group/Random House
Website: www.randomhouse.com
GUESTS :
Colleen Miner
Culinary Expert
Information private
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