December Foodie Holidays: Week 3

Dec. 15: Cupcake Day
Dec. 16: Anything-Chocolate-Covered Day
Dec. 17: Maple Syrup Day
Dec. 18: Roast Suckling Pig Day
Dec. 19: Hard Candy Day
Dec. 20: Fried Shrimp Day, Sangria Day
Dec. 21: Hamburger Day

Mom makes these at Christmas, among many others.

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cookies

1 1/2 C. flour

1/2 C. cocoa

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/4 tsp. baking soda

1/2 C. margarine

1 C. sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

10 oz. jar maraschino cherries

1 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips

1/2 C. sweetened condensed milk

2 tsp. maraschino cherry juice

Directions: Sift together the first six ingredients. Cream margarine and sugar; add egg and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture; beat until well blended. Shape into 1” balls, place on cookie sheet, and press center with thumb. Drain the cherries, reserving juice. Put a cherry in the depression. Heat chocolate chips and milk until chocolate melts; stir in juice. Spoon a tsp. of this over the cherry, covering it. Bake at 350ºF for 10 minutes.

May Foodie Holidays: Week 4

May 22 - Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23 - Taffy Day
May 24 - Escargot Day
May 25 - Wine Day
May 26 - Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 27 - Grape Popsicle Day
May 28 - Hamburger Day, Brisket Day
May 29 - Coq au Vin Day
May 30 - Mint Julep Day
May 31 - Macaroon Day

Grilling season is here! Maybe you have men in your family who rule the grill. Be sure to ask them for recipes or tips for the things they cook.

Cherry-Lime Macaroons (my own recipe, developed for a friend)

1 C. sweetened condensed milk
3 C. + shredded coconut
1/4 C. flour
1/4 C. minced sour cherries and/or maraschino cherries
4 Tbsp. lime juice
lime zest from the lime
1/4 tsp. salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350F. Pour sweetened condensed milk into a bowl, add remaining ingredients and mix well. Add more coconut if it seems too gooey. Drop into small balls and place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake 12-13 minutes until brown. Let cool on the cookie sheet 10 minutes before removing – once cool, they will peel off easily.

Available at Amazon.