This time of year is centered around family, tradition, and being home. Perhaps it’s my favorite time of year because of this! So many of us have Christmas traditions that we love and cherish, and if these are missing, Christmas feels like something is lacking. If some of you do not have specific traditions, especially when it comes to food, I decided to team up with some of our lovely small businesses in the area to share our favorite recipes! Perhaps one of these will become your favorite, as well.
Floral Designs
This darling home decor store in Morton is run by the sweetest ladies! Ann and Kim, the owners, gave me their special cut-out Christmas cookie recipe which is also up on their blog – https://www.floraldesigns-ltd.com/blog.php?pid=39&p=#blt. They would love to hear how your cookies turned out!
Christmas cookies
What you need:
- 1/2 C. butter
- 1/2 C. oleo
- 1 1/2 C. sugar
- 2 eggs – well beaten
- 1 Tbs. vanilla
- 3 3/4 C. flour
- 4 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 3 Tbs. milk
Directions:
- Mix butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla.
- Blend until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter and sugar mixture alternatively with the milk.
- Mix until everything is combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill over night.
- Bake at 375 for about 8 minutes.
Eli’s Coffee Shop
If you know the owner, Rachel, then you know how sweet, caring, and what a wonderful baker she is. She has recently hosted a couple Macaroon workshops – and I heard they were fabulous. She is sharing her top secret recipe, so don’t take this for granted!! The golden crispy interior and soft gooey center made these coconut macaroons a staple at Eli’s for years and years. The batter comes together quickly, which makes up for the individual scooping and rolling of each cookie. But grab some friends or family and put them to work along with some Christmas carols and you’ll be enjoying these sweet little balls of goodness in no time! If you want to take these to the next level, melt 8oz of good chocolate and dip just the bottoms. Allow them to harden on wax paper and serve! Makes: About 20 balls
Coconut Macaroons
What you need:
- 25 oz shredded coconut
- 1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 3 egg whites
- ⅛ tsp salt
Directions:
- Combine coconut, condensed milk, and extracts until all coconut is moist.
- In a separate bowl, whip the egg whites and salt until medium peaks form. Fold the egg whites gently into the coconut mixture.
- Using a cookie scoop or by hand, make tightly packed rounds, about 2 ounces each.
- Put on parchment paper and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until coconut tips are golden brown.
- Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
So Chic Boutique
This darling boutique in Morton and Peoria is a MUST if you have not stopped by. They literally have the cutest items for any occasion – and it’s perfect for your Christmas shopping! The owner’s favorite Christmas recipe has a different twist – it’s for a friendship tea! Such a fun idea. She always loves to make a big batch and pour it in cute containers for gifts, like hostessing or just for friends.
Friendship tea
What you need:
- 1 cup instant tea mix, unsweetened
- 1 3/4 cups instant lemonade mix
- 20 oz Tang
- 1 1/2 t. ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 t. ground cloves
Directions:
- Mix all ingredients together in a zip lock bag until blended uniformly.
- Pour into glass jars, and seal tight.
- To serve, mix 2/3 teaspoons of tea mix with boiling water, to taste. Be sure to leave room at the top of the mug to account for fizzing.
East to West Studio
These two girls own a design business, and right now they are quite busy designing Christmas cards. One of the girls, Tami, told me her favorite tradition is Fondue – something that was apart of Christmas her entire life, and a tradition that her and her husband are now implementing into their own personal family!
Fondue
What you need:
- a fondue pot and utensils
- oil (or cheese if you want to do a cheese fondue!)
- meats (usually breaded chicken bites, steak bites, little smokies)
- for cheese fondue – pretzels, bread, apples, bacon, cherry tomatoes, etc.)
Directions:
- fill the fondue pot with the oil or the cheese – about 1/2 of the pot.
- turn the pot on and let the oil or cheese heat up.
- when hot, dip your meat into the oil and let it cook through! (or items into your cheese)
- enjoy!
My own favorite Holiday tradition
I make this Prime Rib every Christmas and it is a sentimental icon at this point. It tastes amazing every time, especially with a great sauce. I hope this can bring joy to your household as well this Christmas season!
Prime Rib Roast
What you need:
- Rib Roast
- Your favorite seasonings
Directions:
- Let meat stand out of refrigerator until it reaches room temperature.
- Mix together your favorite seasonings and rub into roast.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees, and place roast in oven for 1 hour. (Preferably from noon to 1 PM if serving in the evening.)
- After roasting meat for 1 hour, turn temperature off and leave roast in oven. Do not open the oven door!
- One hour before serving, turn on oven again at 400 degrees and finish roasting. Meat will be brown on outside and pink inside. This will happen only if meat has been allowed to reach room temp, and if the oven door has remained close! This will work with any size roast!
- Enjoy!
From all of us, we hope these Christmas traditions can be yours as well. Stay warm and cozy this Christmas season, remember the Reason for the Season, and enjoy delicious food with your family and friends!
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