My Recipes

  Ingredients 2 cups all purpose flour 1/ 2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 1 cup (2 sticks) butter 1 1/3 cups firmly packed light brown sugar 2 large egg yolks 1 tsp vanilla 1 cup chopped pecans pecan halves for garnish Directions Preheat oven to 350℉. Sift flour, salt and cream of tartar into medium bowl; set aside. Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer at medium speed until creamy. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually add flour mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in pecans. Drop dough by teaspoons (15ml) onto ungreased cookie sheets. Top each with a pecan half. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until light tan. Cool 2 minutes on cookie sheets; transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Notes: Watch them carefully starting at 7 minutes. They burn very quickly, but they are very yummy. I amde this Christmas 2006.

  Ingredients 3 to 4 bunches (2 1/2 pounds total) flat-leaf spinach, trimmed and cleaned 2   tablespoons   butter ½   medium   onion, minced 4   garlic cloves, minced 4   ounces   bar cream cheese, cut into pieces ½   cup   milk pinch ground nutmeg coarse salt and ground pepper Directions  Step 1 Cook spinach: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add spinach, and cook just until wilted, about 1 minute.  Step 2 Rinse spinach and squeeze: Drain in a colander; rinse with cold water until cool. Squeeze spinach to remove as much liquid as possible.  Step 3 Chop spinach: Coarsely chop spinach, then set aside.  Step 4 Cook onion and garlic:  Step 5 Add cream cheese and milk: Add cream cheese and milk; cook, stirring, until cream cheese is melted and smooth.  Step 6 Stir in spinach and cook: Stir in spinach. Simmer over medium heat until mixture thickens, 8 to 10 minutes.  Step 7 Add nutmeg and serve: A...

  The Almond Roca factory is located in the state of Washington and though I lived in Seattle for 13 years I never had a chance to visit. Though growing up in Canada this was my favorite candy. I had an aunt that would bring us Almond Roca every Christmas. I try not to make this unless I know people are coming or I can give it away. Ingredients 1 pound butter 2 cups sugar 1 cup almonds, slivered, unsalted, unblanched 1 pound high quality semi-sweet chocolate, melted at low temperature in a double boiler 1 cup pecans, chopped Directions Melt butter, stir in sugar, then almonds. Stir constantly while heating to 290℉ or mahogany color. Spread evenly on cookie sheet. Blot extra butter, spread half of the chocolate. Sprinkle half of the pecans. Refrigerate. Flip over, spread remaining chocolate, sprinkle remaining pecans. Cool then break into pieces.

  Spiced pecans were a favorite in our house around Christmas time. My dad loves them! I found this recipe which I was proud to say dad thought were better than mom's. It is also a good companion recipe to the Brazilian Cheese Drop cookies as it uses up the leftover egg whites. Ingredients 1 egg white 1/4 cup sugar 1 tablespoon cinnamon 2 1/2 cups pecan halves (about 8 3/4 ounces) Directions In a bowl mix pecans and an egg white until pecans are well coated. Mix cinnamon and sugar together then pour over nuts. Mix until pecans are well coated. Spread on ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 300 ℉ for 20-30 minutes. Notes I split one batch into two gifts.

  These pictured cookies are not exactly Brazilian Cheese Drops because oddly enough I could not find the recipe online. But these were my absolute favorite of mine at Christmas time. So delish!! Ingredients 1 can sweetened condensed milk 2 egg yolks 2 cups moist flaked coconut 2 cups finely chopped pecans 1/3 cup grated cheddar cheese granulated sugar Directions Mix all dry ingredients except sugar. Shape into 1 inch balls. Bake in a preheated 325℉ oven for 12 to 14 minutes or until brown. Roll in sugar to coat. Cool on racks. Makes 24.

  Or I have seen it called Pineapple Fluff Dessert. Either way, my mom used to make this at Christmas time. It was a favorite of hers and mine, not so much my dad. Another fun fact, back in Seattle working for Piper Jaffray in the Two Union Square building before UBS bought us, we had a "Green Dessert Competition". Everyone made their version for everyone else to try. My favorite is still my mom's recipe below. Ingredients 1 small tub of sour cream 1 small tub of whipped topping 1 can crushed pineapple, drained 2 envelopes of pistachio pudding mix Directions Mix all the ingredients together and refrigerate. Notes from Mom Very yummy. Ideal for Christmas desserts since it is not too filling. If you wish you can put a drop of green food color to bring up the Christmas feeling.