1 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
CELEBRATIONS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE PRESS-REPUBLICAN
SHIPPING SMART
Avoid the pitfalls of the busy season
TRAVEL TIPS
Tips for making your holiday trip easier
TASTY TRIMMINGS
Scrumptious offerings for dinner and dessert
2 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
CELEBRATIONS A supplement to the Press-rePublican • Monday, November 7, 2016
CONTENTS Travel & Safety A Word on Driving This Holiday Season ................. 3 ‘Tis the Season to Ship Smart ................................ 4 Help Packages Arrive Safely .................................. 5 Tips for Easier Holiday Travel ............................... 6 Did you know? ...................................................... 6 Did you know? ...................................................... 7
Hearth & Home 5 Ways to Make Guests More Comfortable .............. 8 Prolong the Life of Your Christmas Tree ................. 9 Safety First When Stringing Lights ....................... 10
Food & Drink Bake a Favorite with Holiday Fruitcake................ 12 Cinnamon Caramel Cheesecake Squares ............... 14
Michael Gallagher, Special Publications Editor
Herb-Roasted Garnet Sweet Potatoes ........................ 15
CELEBRATIONS
Mrs. Rowe’s Fudge Pecan Pie .................................. 15
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3 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
TRAVEL & SAFETY
A Word On Driving This Holiday Season As this publication is getting ready to go to press, the Halloween decorations in the Press-Republican building are being taken down and packed away for next year. Many of our readers are likely also transitioning decor and gearing up for the holiday hosting season. This is a time of year that buzzes with the joyful anticipation of family dinners, cocktail parties with friends and late nights of hot cocoa and board games with little-seen relatives. The merriment of the season brings with it a fair measure of planning (sometimes panicking) and hurrying about town. Celebrations magazine is here to help! We would also like to remind our readers in this time of shortening daylight and soon-to-be icy roads to take extra care when traveling, be it across town or across the state. With our smartphones demanding our attention and mental to-do lists nagging at the backs of our minds, it’s easier than ever to be overcommited and hyperdistracted. We at the Press urge you to take a step back from your hectic schedules and make every effort to arrive safely to your waiting loved ones. May you experience a safe, warm and joyous holiday season, full of love and laughter. Thank You.
4 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
‘Tis the season T
to ship smart
he holiday season can be hectic, and thanks to that sometimes frenetic pace, it can be easy to put things on the back burner. While it’s OK to put off some things until the holiday season has come and gone, shipping gifts to loved ones does not fall into that category. Shipping can be expensive, especially for lastminute shoppers who want to ensure their gifts arrive in time for the holidays. But the following are a handful of ways to ship smart and save both time and money. Ship directly to the recipient. Last-minute shoppers who are buying online can save money by shipping gifts directly to the recipient. While shipping directly to the recipient may seem less personal than sending a gift you wrapped yourself, many online retailers allow shoppers to send giftwrapped items directly to another person. Just be sure to have the recipient’s correct address when choosing this option.
Ship early. Waiting to ship all gifts at the same time may be more convenient, but it can prove more costly as well. If you typically finish your holiday shopping just a few days before Christmas, then waiting to ship everything will cost more money than shipping gifts as you buy them. The longer you wait to ship gifts, the more you can expect to pay if you expect those gifts to arrive on time. Shipping gifts as you buy them, especially if you get much of your shopping done early, can save you short-term or overnight shipping fees, which can be significant. Comparison shop. Much like you can save money by comparison shopping for holiday gifts, you can save by comparing shipping costs as well. Pack-and-ship companies compete for consumers’ business during the height of the holiday shipping season, so compare the costs between the various pack-and-ship companies, including the postal service, to see which offers the best deal.
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NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 5 Insure the items you ship. The holiday season is the busiest time of year for the pack-and-ship industry. While the industry is often remarkably effective at delivering gifts intact and on time, items are sometimes lost or damaged. By insuring your packages, you’re ensuring you won’t be out of luck should your package be lost, damaged or stolen before it reaches its destination.
Help packages
Arrive Safely
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According to research firm Forrester, online sales now account for 10 percent of all shopping and 15 percent of holiday shopping. USPS expects to deliver roughly 15 billion letters,
cards and packages during the holiday season. While the postal service and the major pack-and-ship companies are incredibly reliable, shoppers can take the following steps to further ensure their gifts arrive on time. Shop in-store. Choose off-peak hours, such as early morning and late evening, to visit brick-and-mortar stores. The crowds will not be too large, and you will have the added peace of mind knowing that you don’t need to wait for gifts to arrive via the mail. If you like the convenience of online shopping, shop online but take advantage of in-store pick-up when available. If items are in stock, this can save you the hassle of making your way through crowded stores. Continued on next page
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he end of December is prime shopping and shipping time for holiday gifts. Shipping giant UPS calls this time of the year its peak season, and FedEx and the United States Postal Service also cite the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day as some of their busiest weeks. Jingling bells and Christmas carols once were the foremost sounds of the season, but now those noises have been replaced by the sounds of conveyor belts, trucks and airplanes rushing to get packages to their destinations.
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Did you know? C
hanukah is a Jewish celebration that lasts for eight days and nights and commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek-Syrian ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes roughly 2,200 years ago. Chanukah is called the “Festival of Lights” in recognition of the day’s supply of oil that somehow burned in the temple for eight days. Chanukah celebrations are rife with tradition. Families eat latkes and sufganiyot, which are fried in oil to commemorate the miracle of the oil. Children are rewarded for their Torah studies by receiving Chanukah money and presents during the eight-day celebration, which also includes a recitation of the entire Hallel. Individuals light a special nine-branched candelabrum called a menorah. In ancient times, oil was used to light the menorah, but nowadays many Chanukah celebrants use candles to light their menorahs, which are typically placed in prominent spots in their homes.
6 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS Follow cut-off dates. Many online retailers will post “purchase by” dates to ensure specific delivery times. Be sure to familiarize yourself with these dates so your items will arrive on time. If time is ticking away, you may have to pay more for expedited shipping. Avoid backordered items. Popular gifts may sell out quickly, and retailers could put you on backorder lists. Research similar products as potential backups should your primary choice be on backorder. Shop well in advance. Shopping early is the best way to ensure gifts arrive on time. Shopping early also gives shoppers time to make exchanges in the event an item is not up to par or is damaged. Thanks to the popularity and prevalence of online shopping, it has become very important for shoppers to take shipping concerns into consideration before making purchases.
Tips for better
Holiday Travel
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illions of people travel to visit family and friends each holiday season. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, during the Christmas and New Year’s holiday period, the number of trips to and from a destination 50 miles or more away rises by 23 percent compared to the average number for the rest of the year. While many people look forward
to reunions with family and friends come the holiday season, longdistance holiday travel can take both a physical and financial toll. But there are ways to enjoy holiday travel and maybe even save some money at the same time. Be flexible with your travel dates. Holiday travelers who are flexible with regard to their travel dates may be able to avoid traffic or long lines at the airport. The BTS notes that
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 7
people traveling between 50 and 99 miles away from home are most likely to travel on Thursday and return on Saturday. So those making short trips who want to avoid traffic may actually benefit by driving home on Sunday after leaving home on Friday rather than traveling on Thursday and Saturday. The BTS notes that travel days are spread out almost equally among people who travel 100 miles away from home or more, so the day travelers choose may not matter as much as the time of day they choose to travel. Flights during offpeak hours, for example, may help travelers avoid long check-in and security lines at airports. Be flexible with airports. Air travelers who are flexible with regard to their departing and arriving airports may be able to save time and money. Small airports might not boast the shopping and dining amenities of large airports, but small airports have less flights and, as a result, tend to experience less flight delays, saving travelers time. Small airports also may not charge as much for overnight parking as large airports. When considering flights from various airports, factor in the cost of parking and transportation to and from each airport. A flight that takes off at your ideal travel time but costs more than the alternative might actually save you money if you can save on transportation and parking. Book early flights. Early flights may be less likely to be delayed than flights in the afternoon and evening. The later into the day your flight departs, the more likely that departure might be affected by delays or inclement weather at other airports and in other cities. Waking up early might not be ideal for everyone, but check-in and security lines tend to be short in the early morning hours as well. Those lines get longer as morning becomes afternoon and afternoon becomes evening. Save money with package deals. Holiday travel is expensive, as airlines and hotels recognize the holiday season is peak travel season. Package deals from sites such as Orbitz® combine flight and hotels into one price, and such deals may even include rental cars. Travel bundles can save travelers considerable amounts of money. Compare the prices when booking each individually to the price of a package deal, and choose the one that best suits your budget.
Did you know? W
hile it might be synonymous with Santa Claus and cold weather, the North Pole is actually much warmer than the South Pole. That’s because the North Pole sits at a lower elevation than the South Pole, and it is located in the middle of an ocean. The South Pole, on the other hand, is located on the continent of Antarctica, which is covered in ice. But Santa fans mulling a trip to the North Pole to visit jolly old St. Nick might want to think otherwise, as temperatures at the North Pole are less than welcoming. Summertime temperatures at the North Pole, for example, hover right at the freezing point. In addition, because of the way Earth rotates, the North Pole experiences just one sunrise and one sunset each year. However, because the sun is always above the horizon in the summer and below the horizon in the winter, the North Pole actually experiences 24 hours of sunlight in summer and zero hours of sunlight in the winter. While children in North America know the North Pole as home to Santa Claus, that’s a relatively recent addition to the legend of Santa Claus, a story that some historians suggest traces its origins all the way back to the third century. Historians credit famed 19th century caricaturist and editorial cartoonist Thomas Nast with being the first to link Santa Claus and his workshop to the North Pole. However, many Nordic countries continue to say Santa Claus lives in their territories.
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8 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
HEARTH & HOME
5 ways to make holiday guests more comfortable
T
he time between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day marks one of the busiest periods of the year for long-distance travel. The United States Department of Transportation says that come Thanksgiving, the number of longdistance trips (50+ miles away) increases by 54 percent, and around Christmas that number rises by 23 percent over the remainder of the year. Those travelers ultimately need a place to rest their heads, and many stay with family and friends. Entertaining during the holiday season involves accounting for guests’ comfort, and that often means hosts must put their visitors’ needs over their own. Although some sacrifices need to be made, there is a way to find a happy compromise that can help the holidays go smoothly and happily. Consider these ways to help guests feel welcome whether they stay for a few hours or a few days. 1. Cater to specific dietary needs. One of the ways to treat guests kindly is by being aware of any special dietary needs they may have when it comes to preparing holiday meals or other foods during their visits. Some guests may require low-sodium diets, while others may be monitoring their
blood-sugar levels and must dine accordingly. Vegetarians and vegans limit the foods they eat, while others may avoid foods based on religious preferences. Offer a variety of foods and try to cater to guests’ needs as much as possible. When in doubt, consult with the guest so he or she feels welcome and does not go hungry. 2. Make sleeping spaces as private as possible. Not everyone has a separate guest room for overnight stays, but try to make sleeping areas as private as you can when visitors spend the night. Use privacy screens or set guests up in a family room that’s away from the center of activity. Hosts may want to give up their own rooms for the comfort of guests. 3. Offer storage space. One way to make guests feel comfortable is to give them their own storage space. This can include space in a closet, a couple of drawers to stow
their belongings, or hangers in the entryway for coats and other winter attire. Not only will this keep things more organized, it can provide guests with comfort. 4. Include guests when preparing for entertaining. Many guests like to feel involved, and by including them in meal preparation, decorating or shopping, you can help them feel included and appreciated. 5. Keep snacks and other creature comforts readily accessible. Guests may feel sheepish
scavenging through cabinets or drawers looking for items. Make things easy to find by leaving items out on counters or indicating where items can be found. For example, if you know a guest enjoys an evening cup of tea and some cookies, leave out the cookies, tea bags and kettle so that he or she can indulge when the urge comes. Guests are a large part of the holiday season. Help them feel comfortable whenever they visit your home.
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 9
YANDO’S
Prolong the life of your
Christmas Tree
a blanket or another form of cover, making sure the cover won’t blow off in the wind when you hit the open road. Have the tree cut before you take it off the lot. If you typically purchase your tree from a florist or tree lot instead of a tree farm, then remember to ask the seller to recut the stem of the tree before you take it home. Tree farm trees are freshly cut, but trees sold away from the farm might have been chopped down weeks before they are ultimately sold. During the interval between being cut down and sold, trees’ vascular systems can clog and prevent the tree from getting the water it needs to survive the season. A fresh cut of the stem unclogs the system and ensures the tree will be able to consume water.
C
hristmas trees are symbols of the holiday season and the spirit of giving that the season champions. Choosing and decorating a Christmas tree is a tradition for many families, and depending on the trees they choose, families may have some work to do to keep their trees glowing all season long. Protect the tree on the way home. Your tree might be vulnerable to damage as you transport it from the farm to your living room. Unwrapped trees placed atop vehicles can be dried out by the wind. Prevent wind damage by wrapping the tree if you plan to place it atop your vehicle. If possible, lay the tree in the bed of a pickup truck and close the cover over the bed. If you don’t have access to a pickup truck but can use a minivan or SUV to transport your tree, see if the tree fits inside your vehicle. If it doesn’t, wrap it tightly in
Avoid placing the tree near heaters or drafty windows. Many people know that placing a live tree near a potentially hot heating vent poses a fire hazard. But doing so also can dry out the tree, decreasing the chances it will make it through the season. Placing the tree near drafty windows also can dry out the tree, so try to find a spot in your home with a consistent temperature. Water the tree often. Christmas trees need lots of water to make it through the season. You may notice the water in the tree stand disappears quickly when you first bring the tree home. That’s because freshly cut trees will consume more water than trees that were cut several weeks ago. As the season goes on and the tree’s vascular system begins to clog, you might not need to water the tree as much as you did when you first brought it home. But check the tree’s water stand twice per day when you first bring it home, refilling the stand with water whenever necessary. A few tricks of the trade can help holiday celebrants maintain lush, aweinspiring Christmas trees throughout the holiday season.
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10 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
Safety first when
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oliday decorations help make a special time of year even more memorable. Whether you’re hanging mistletoe above a doorway or decking the halls, safety must be a priority when decorating a home for the holidays. Accidents can happen no matter what type of holiday decorating you’re doing, but stringing holiday lights around your home may be especially dangerous. This season, keep the following safety tips in mind when stringing lights so this season of celebration starts off safe and sound. Work with at least one partner. Never go it alone when stringing holiday lights. Make sure someone is there to hold the ladder steady as you climb up and down. Partnering up when stringing holiday lights
allows decorators to use both of their hands to climb up ladders instead of using one of their hands to carry lights. Once they reach a point where it’s safe to hang lights, they can then have a helper hand them the lights. If possible, work in groups of three so someone can hold the ladder steady at all times. Inspect lights before hanging them. Lights are not built to last forever, and over time holiday lights can suffer damage that has the potential to be dangerous. Wires can fray, and sockets can crack or break. Inspect lights and wires before hanging them, replacing any that pose a hazard. When replacing bulbs, be sure to replace them with bulbs of equal wattage. Use an extension cord of adequate length. Exterior holiday lights are
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 11 string holiday lights indoors as well. Lights might be hung on Christmas trees or along hallways. Such lights and the cords connecting them to power sources should never pose safety hazards, so make sure they are not lying on the floor. Staple lights to the wall and never place them beneath furniture or rugs. Lights can overheat when placed beneath rugs, and lights that are not properly secured to a wall can pose certain dangers, including being potential tripping hazards. often plugged into extension cords that extend to a shed or garage. Do not connect several extension cords to power holiday lights; instead, use just a single cord that’s lengthy enough to reach the outlet. Connecting extension cords is a fire hazard. In addition, make sure the amperage of the decorations matches the amperage rating of the extension cord, which can be found on the product label or possibly on the manufacturer’s website.
Hang the correct lights. When stringing lights, make sure you hang lights designated as exterior lights on the exterior of your home and those designated as interior lights inside your home. Hanging lights in the wrong places poses a fire hazard and creates additional safety concerns, so adhere to manufacturer instructions when stringing lights.
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Safety should reign supreme when stringing holiday lights around the house.
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Holiday Fruitcake
H
oliday hosting is a big responsibility. Hosts must make their guests feel welcome and comfortable, which often involves finding space for out-of-towners to lay their heads and cleaning the home to ensure no one is put off by the dust and dirt that can accumulate over time.
Hosting also involves feeding guests, and many hosts aim to provide the usual holiday treasure trove of baked goods for their friends and family. Baking can satisfy holiday sweet tooths, and the smell of baked goods can create that welcoming feeling hosts aim for. Some foods are synonymous with certain times of year, and fruitcake is one food that’s enjoyed almost exclusively during the holiday season. Fruitcake is sometimes an object of ridicule, but homemade fruitcake, such as the following recipe from Jeanne Sauvage’s “Gluten-Free Baking For the Holidays” (Chronicle Books), is sure
to please those guests devoted to this holiday staple. Fruitcake Serves 10 to 15
Macerated Fruit 2½ pounds raisins, pitted prunes, pitted dates, and dried figs, finely chopped ½ cup candied orange and/or lemon peel, finely chopped 1⁄3 cup candied or dried cherries, finely chopped 2⁄3 cup candied or preserved ginger, finely chopped Grated zest and juice of 1 large lemon Grated zest and juice of 1 large orange 1 tablespoon orange or tangerine marmalade 1 tablespoon apricot jam 1 cup applesauce 2 tablespoons brandy, sweet sherry or apple juice
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 13 1 3 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4 2
cup unsalted butter, at room temperature, plus more for greasing cups Jeanne’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour (see below) teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg teaspoon ground allspice tablespoon baking powder cup packed dark brown sugar teaspoon pure vanilla extract extra-large eggs, at room temperature tablespoons brandy, rum, whiskey, sweet sherry, or apple juice, or as needed
can macerate in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Preheat the oven to 325 F. If the fruit has been in the refrigerator, bring it to room temperature. Grease the bottom and sides of a 91⁄2- or 10-inch springform pan with butter. Line the bottom with three layers of parchment paper and the sides with one layer of parchment. The batter will be very sticky. In a medium bowl, mix together the flour, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, allspice, and baking powder.
The day before you bake the cake, prepare the macerated fruit. Place the raisins, prunes, dates, and figs in a large bowl. Add the citrus peel, cherries, ginger, lemon zest and juice, and orange zest and juice. Add the marmalade, jam, applesauce, and brandy and stir to combine. Cover the bowl and let stand overnight at room temperature so that the fruits soak up the liquid and the flavors meld. The mixture
In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the brown sugar and beat for 1 minute. Reduce the speed to low, add the vanilla, and beat until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Then beat for 1 minute longer. Add the flour mixture and beat until just combined. Add the macerated fruit and, with a large wooden spoon, combine with the batter. This requires a bit of strength. Scrape the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 2 hours, then reduce the oven temperature to 300 F and bake until a toothpick inserted into the middle of the cake comes out clean, about 2 hours. If the cake browns too quickly, you might want to tent it with aluminum foil for the last 2 hours so it doesn’t burn.
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Remove the cake from the oven and, while it is still hot, pierce it all over with a skewer. Pour the brandy over the top. Place the pan on a wire rack and let the cake cool completely. Remove the sides from the pan and peel the parchment paper from the sides and bottom of the cake. Wrap the cake in waxed paper and place it in an airtight container or wrap it in a few layers of plastic wrap. Leave the cake at room temperature for 3 to 5 days to allow the flavors to meld. If you used alcohol, you may store the cake in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Once the cake is sliced, store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. Jeanne’s Gluten-Free All-Purpose Flour Makes 4½ cups 1¼ 1¼ 1 1
cups brown rice flour cups white rice flour cup sweet rice flour cup tapioca flour Scant 2 teaspoons xanthan gum In a large bowl, whisk together the brown and white rice flours, sweet rice flour, tapioca flour, and xanthan gum thoroughly. Transfer the mix to an airtight container. Store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 4 months.
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Cinnamon Caramel
Cheesecake Squares C
heesecake is an example of a dessert that, due to the time it takes to create and the richness of the dessert itself, is not something many people eat on a regular basis. However, with a time-saving recipe, cheesecake can become a dessert prepared in little time for holiday festivities. Try “Cinnamon Caramel Cheesecake Squares” from “Pampered Chef Season’s Best, Fast, Fun & Fabulous” by Pampered Chef® Test Kitchens. Cinnamon Caramel Cheesecake Squares Makes 24 squares 2 2 1 2 ¾
Closed on Thanksgiving
1 ½
8-ounce packages seamless crescent dough 8-ounce packages cream cheese egg teaspoons vanilla extract cup sugar, divided Flour for dusting tablespoon cinnamon cup caramel topping
1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Unroll one package of crescent dough into a shallow baking pan. Roll out the dough to edges. 2. Heat the cream cheese in a
microwave-safe bowl, uncovered, on high for 30 to 40 seconds, or until softened. Whisk until almost smooth. 3. Add the egg, vanilla and 1⁄2 cup of the sugar to the bowl. Whisk until smooth. Spread over the crescent dough. 4. Lightly sprinkle the flat side of a cutting board with flour. Unroll the second package of crescent dough and roll it into a 13- by 12-inch rectangle.
5. Fold the dough in half from the short end; gently lift and place in the pan. Unfold and gently stretch the dough over the cream cheese layer; press the edges to seal. Cut off corners of dough hanging over and discard. 6. Bake 22 to 24 minutes, until golden brown. 7. Combine the remaining 1⁄4 cup sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Place the caramel topping in a 1-cup measuring cup. 8. Remove the pan from the oven. Immediately pour the caramel topping over the cheesecake and spread to the edges of the crust. Sprinkle with the cinnamon-sugar mixture; let stand for 10 minutes. 9. Using a utility knife, cut into 4 x 6 rows to make 24 squares.
NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS 15
Herb-Roasted Garnet
Sweet Potatoes
M
any families sit down to a meal of turkey and various side dishes on Thanksgiving, indulging in a hearty meal before relaxing on the couch to sneak in an afternoon nap and watch some football. Sweet potatoes are a staple of many families’ Thanksgiving dinner tables, and different cooks have their own special sweet potato recipes. Those trusted with hosting this Thanksgiving who don’t have their own unique take on sweet potatoes might want to consider the following recipe for “Herb-Roasted Garnet Sweet Potatoes” from Jill Lightner’s “Edible Seattle: The Cookbook” (Sterling Epicure). Herb-Roasted Garnet Sweet Potatoes Serves 4 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves, minced 1 teaspoon minced fresh sage
1 teaspoon minced fresh oregano 3 medium garnet sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice Kosher salt 1. Preheat the oven to 375 F. Spray a large roasting pan with nonstick cooking spray. In a large bowl, thoroughly combine the olive oil and herbs. Add the sweet potato dice to the mixture, and use your fingers to coat them well. Season with salt to taste.
Mrs. Rowe’s
Pecan Fudge Pie
W
hile it’s not polite to eat dessert first, sometimes it’s difficult to avoid a little indulgence. Such is the case with the following recipe for “Pecan Fudge Pie” courtesy of Mollie Cox Bryan’s “Mrs. Rowe’s Little Book of Southern Pies” (Ten Speed Press).
2. Transfer the mixture to the prepared roasting pan. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, until your desired consistency is reached, whether you want them a bit firm or forktender.
Pecan Fudge Pie
Edible Tip: A good alternate variety to Garnets are Red Jewels, which are easy to come by at both farmers’ markets and local grocers. Look for a deep, bright color, and be sure to cook them fairly quickly after purchase. Unlike potatoes, sweet potatoes do not store very well.
4 eggs, beaten
Makes one 10-inch pie 1/2 Pie Pastry 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips 1 cup light corn syrup 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 1/2 teaspoon salt 11/2 cups coarsely chopped pecans
Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line a 10-inch pie plate with the rolled-out crust. Melt the chocolate chips in a double broiler, stirring occasionally. Combine the eggs, corn syrup, butter, vanilla, and salt and stir until thoroughly combined. Gradually add the chocolate to the egg mixture while stirring rapidly. Stir in the pecans. Spread the filling evenly in the crust. Bake for 55 minutes, or until set, when a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 1 hour before slicing. Serve at room temperature.
16 NOVEMBER 7, 2016 • CELEBRATIONS
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