Bon Appétit

Southern Cuisine Bon Appétit

Gifts from the Heart and Your Kitchen

By Scarlett Cook

Iknow the last thing you want to tackle this holiday season is pulling out your baking equipment and ending up with a kitchen that looks like the entire production of The Nutcracker was filmed there. But think about it this way, your gifts will be more personal and the receivers will know that you spent time and energy making the treats. When you shop with local merchants to buy containers for your gifts it is a win-win situation. The containers don’t have to be elaborate; simply let your children or grandchildren decorate them with wrapping paper, bows etc. and they will feel part of the season. And most of these can be made ahead. Merry Christmas and best wishes for 2023. God bless each of you and your families.

Toasted Pecans Makes 4 cups

6 Tablespoons butter 1 Pound shelled pecans 1 Teaspoon salt or garlic salt

Preheat oven to 350°. In a heavy skillet (8” or 10”) melt butter over low heat. When the foam subsides, remove the pan from the heat, add the pecans and stir until they are well coated. Spread pecans in a single layer on cookie sheet. Toast the nuts 15 – 20 minutes stirring occasionally. Remove the nuts from the oven, add salt and stir gently to coat. Store in a tightly covered container and store at room temperature.

Seasoned Oyster Crackers Makes 11 – 12 cups

½ Cup vegetable oil 1 Package Hidden Valley Ranch salad mix 3/4 Teaspoon lemon pepper 1/2 Teaspoon dill weed 1/2 Teaspoon garlic salt

Preheat oven to 275°. Mix all ingredients except crackers in large bowl. Add crackers and place on a cookie sheet in a single layer. Bake 15 – 20 minutes. When cool store in an airtight container. Cream Cheese Brownies 10 servings

1 Package yellow cake mix 1 Egg, beaten 1 Stick margarine, melted 1 8-Ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature 2 Eggs, beaten 1 Box powdered sugar 1Teaspoon vanilla

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease a 9” x 13” pan. Combine cake mix, 1 egg and margarine. Press mixture in the bottom Mix cream cheese, 2 eggs, sugar and vanilla; mix well. Spread over prepared crust. Bake 35 – 40 minutes.

Surprise Cookies Makes 24

Crunchy peanut butter 48 Ritz crackers 1 Bar white chocolate 1 Cup pecans, finely chopped

Spread one cracker with peanut butter – as thin or as thick as you like. Top with another cracker. Set aside. Melt chocolate in a double boiler (or in microwave according to package instructions). Let cool slightly. Dip each sandwich in chocolate turning several times to make sure it is totally covered. Let excess drip off. Place cookie on wax paper lined cookie sheet. Spread with pecans.