Crafty Fun for the Holidays

Here are some of my favorite craft ideas from Martha Stewart.  Many of these crafts can be made with your little kiddos.

Holly Napkin Holders

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_6

Pinecone Elves

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_10

Baby Sock Advent Calendar

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_15

Cookie Gift Tags

http://www.marthastewart.com/photogallery/easy-holiday-crafts#slide_22

Glorified "Leftovers"

Do you often find recipes make too much food for you (and your friends/family) to consume in one sitting?

Or do you find that when you buy certain food (like celery, greens, tomatoes, potatoes, buttermilk, cream, etc.) and they go bad before you have time to use them or you simply have too much for your needs?

Leftovers?? If you are like me, you'll probably make a face at the sound of those words.  I am just not a huge fan of leftovers... especially if it is more than one day old. But, leftovers fit really nicely into my budget. 

So, I am learning to be creative with food and create different recipes using similar ingredients or learning how to spice up leftovers to make them more appealing. 

What Do I Do With Leftover Ingredients?

http://www.bigoven.com/recipes/leftovers

This website is great because you can enter up to three ingredients, it searches its database, and returns recipes that match those ingredients.

How Can I Make Leftovers Better?

Here are some ideas to revamping your leftovers:

1. Create a salad- Use taco meat and other fixings to create a taco salad. Or use your left-over BBQ chicken to create a BBQ chicken salad.

2. Spice it up with rice- I will put all kinds of things over rice: BBQ chicken, meatballs, creamy chicken, veggies, sausage, etc.

3. Make a sandwich or a wrap- Leftover meatloaf... no problem.  It makes a really tasty sandwich the next day.  Leftover turkey or chicken... perfect! Throw it into a tortilla... and make a yummy wrap. 

4. Leftover bread/buns- Use bread or buns to make garlic bread for the next meal.  Or if your bread is a little dry, make some delicious french toast (dry bread works great!)

I love these two websites. They show you just what to do with leftovers like chicken, beef, veggies, steak, etc.

http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/cooking/a/doggiebagdining.htm

http://recipes.howstuffworks.com/fresh-ideas/easy-dinner-ideas/10-meals-to-make-from-leftovers

Gift Idea for Friends and Neighbors

'Tis the season to be jolly... and to be stressed about finding the perfect gift.  Here is my solution for gifts for friends, family, neighbors, teachers, etc.  

Make them goody trays! 

Almost everyone loves goodies (especially during the holidays)... and there are so many great recipes out there with very few ingredients.  They are fairly inexpensive to create as well.  

Be sure to include a wide variety of treats (sweet and savory). 

Here is a list of items I have used for others:

• Chex mix
• Muddy Buddies (Chex)
• Caramel Chex
• Rice Krispy Treats (You can shape them into fun wintery shapes, or add a stick to the middle and make a Rice Krispy Pop)
• Homemade caramels (YUM!)- A little goes a long way with these
• Chocolate dipped prezels
• Homemade peppermint bark
• Assorted winter fruits (pears, oranges, etc)
• Nuts

And I just made two treats to bring to work this morning and they were FANTASTIC.  They both came from the Taste of Home Best Loved Cookies and Candies 2010 Magazine.  Everyone at work was raving about them... so I thought I would share.  They are incredibly simple to make.

Cookie Dough Truffles (adapted from Lanita Dedon)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Cookie-Dough-Truffles (I had to make a few minor adjustments from the original)

Makes around 5 dozen

• 1/2 c butter, softened
• 3/4 c packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 1/4 c flour
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
• 1 c miniature semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 to 1 1/2 pound of chocolate candy coating

1. In a large bowl, cream the butter and brown sugar.  Beat in vanilla.  Slowly, alternate adding condensed milk and flour, beating after each addition.  Sire in chocolate chips.  
2. Chill dough for about 15-20 minutes.  Shape into 1 inch balls; place on waxed paper on a cookie sheet.  Loosely cover and refrigerate for 1 1/2 hours. 
3. Melt chocolate according to directions on package.  Dip chilled balls in chocolate.  Allow excess to drip off.  Place back on waxed paper.  Refrigerate until firm (about 10-15 minutes).  If desired, drizzle additional chocolate or white chocolate on top.  Store in refrigerator. 

Mint and Chocolate Fudge Candies (adapted from Candy Clarke)

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Peppermint-Candy (Recipe changed slightly from original)

Makes about 5 dozen

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, divided
• 1 cup vanilla or white baking chips
• 1 tsp peppermint extract
• 2-3 drops of green food coloring

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, melt chocolate chips with 3/4 cup of condensed milk.  Stir often.  Line an 8-inch square dish with buttered wax paper.
2. Spread the chocolate mixture over the bottom of the dish.  Chill for 10 minutes.  
3. In another saucepan, melt vanilla chips and remaining cup condensed milk over low heat until smooth.  Remove from heat and add peppermint extract and food coloring. Pour over the layer of chocolate in the dish and smooth out.  Refrigerate until firm.
4. Cut into 1-inch square pieces.  Store in airtight container in refrigerator. 

** Add red food coloring and crushed peppermint candy cane to top layer for a festive look.