Long potatoes, cheddar and ham

I had a lot of potatoes to use up from Thanksgiving. I think I kept forgetting how many I had and kept buying them. With how chilly it is outside plus needing to use leftover ham, it seemed like a good night to make a nice potato dish.

I peeled approximately three pounds of russet potatoes and cut them long-ways.  They were placed in a 9" x 13" dish, dotted with chunks of smoked ham and hunks of extra sharp cheddar cheese.  I combined one large can of cream of mushroom soup with almost 2 cans of  evaporated milk and poured over the top. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees for one hour.  That's it!  It is super easy!

It was a big hit with the family tonight! A very good belly warmer!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce

I have never been a fan of the cranberry sauce that comes in a can.  This Thanksgiving I decided to make my own. Here is my quick and easy recipe for a delicious cranberry compote that requires almost no maintenance at all!

(1) 12 ounce bag of fresh cranberries, rinsed well
(1) half cup of water
(1) cup of sugar
The zest of one orange and the juice (at least 3 tablespoons)
Dash of nutmeg

Bring all the above to a boil over medium high heat in a saucepan on the stove and then lower heat to a simmer until cranberries pop and soften, about 15 to 20 minutes.  Taste for sweetness. Depending on cranberries will depend on if you need to add sugar. It's up to you! Sometimes I add more sugar if they are too tart, sometimes they are just right! Yesterday I ended up adding 1/2 cup more sugar as they were extra tart.  As the sauce cools, it will thicken and "jell" up all by itself.  It makes a wonderful addition to any dinner, Thanksgiving or not!

Snowflake Truffles

Tonight I am making a special treat for a friend.  She likes sweet things, which is appropriate since she is such a sweet and beautiful lady!  It is a recipe that I adapted from one I saw floating around the internet.  I had to modify the one I found as it contained nuts.  I try not to use nuts as I have friends with nut allergies. Here is my take on a fun, no-bake, quick truffle that is easy to make and tastes wonderful.

(2) 8 ounce packages of cream cheese softened
(1) 20 ounce can of crushed pineapple, drained
(4) tablespoons of powdered sugar
(1) bag of sweetened shredded coconut

Drain the pineapple very, very well.  Mix 3/4 of the can of pineapple with the softened cream cheese until well mixed.  Add the powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time until well blended, scraping the bowl often.  Put in the refrigerator for at least two hours until well chilled.

Remove from fridge.  Scoop into balls and roll in coconut.  Place on waxed paper and put back in the fridge until firm.

These are a sweet tropical treat!

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

I thought I had put this recipe on here but I looked and I had not. I cannot take the credit for this. A wonderful site called Momzone is where I first discovered this recipe.  The website seems to have closed now so I cannot link to it to give proper credit but I will share this wonderful recipe with you now.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
1- stick or equal to 1/2 cup of butter (MUST be real butter, margarine will not work)
1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract
3/4 cup of powdered sugar
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
3/4 cup mini chocolate chips
3/4 cup finely chopped pecans
Graham crackers

Directions:
In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and vanilla until fluffy. Gradually add sugar, beat until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips. Cover and refrigerate at least 2 hours. Place onto plastic wrap; shape into a ball. Refrigerate at least 1 more hour. Just before serving, roll cheese ball in pecans. Serve with graham crackers.

Side note:  I do not use the pecans.  I just don't. I know too many people with nut allergies so I leave them out.  The above recipe is for one "ball".  It won't last.  I never make enough for "one".  I always double in not triple the recipe.  The cheeseball is better if you make it the night before.  Under no circumstances should you ever leave out the brown sugar.  It will not taste right.

Enjoy!! I hope it becomes a part of your family tradition as it has become a part of mine!!