CHRISTMAS stolen? or Stollen!

One favorite Christmas recipe at our house is Stollen...not by theft or deception just by culinary choice. German Stollen is a rich sweet bread usually made with fruits and nuts shaped into a flat oval and folded to represent a swaddled baby.

Christmas Stollen - yields 3 loaves

Basic Dough
1 C. Milk, scalded and cooled
5 C. unsifted Flour, more or less
3/4 C. Sugar
1 t. Salt
1/2 C. Butter, softened
1 1/2 T. Yeast
1/2 C. warm Water + 1/2 t. Sugar
1 Egg

Combine flour, sugar, salt. Cut in butter. Dissolve yeast in warm water with 1/2 t. sugar added. Allow yeast to stand 5 minutes. Add egg, milk and yeast to flour mixture. Beat until well mixed. Dough should be soft but not sticky. Knead for about 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic. (At this point the dough can be covered with plastic wrap and refrigerated overnight or proceed with the following recipe)

Christmas Stollen Ingredient List
1 C. Craisins
3/4 C. chopped Dried Apricots
3/4 C. Slivered Almonds
1/4 t. freshly grated Nutmeg
Zest of 1 Lemon
Basic Dough - one recipe
Melted Butter
Powdered Sugar

Mix craisins, apricots, almonds, lemon zest and nutmeg into the basic dough until incorporated.
Divide dough into thirds. Roll dough into 11 x 7 ovals. Fold in half lengthwise to form a crescent shape. Brush with butter and cover. Let raise until doubled in size about 30-45 minutes. Bake 350 degrees 25 min.. Cool and HEAVILY sprinkle each loaf with Powdered Sugar.

A 4 Time-Zone Family

As of November 17...
we are a 4 time zone family. Cody - Pacific
Rick and I our in the Mountain, Jess & Eric along with Brian & Kellie head up the Central and Max takes care of the European zone.

Do You Salsa?...not the dance, the condiment!

When tomatoes, onions, and chiles are ripe it is salsa making time.

We've tried many a salsa recipe and this is the one we like best.

WILD WEST SALSA

4 1/2 Qt. crushed, peeled Tomatoes

4 1/2 C. Anaheim Chiles, finely chopped

1/3 C. Jalepeno, finely chopped

2 C. Onion, finely chopped

6 cloves Garlic, minced

1 C. Bell Pepper, finely chopped

1 -1/2 t. Oregano

1 T + 1-1/2 t. Cumin

1-1/2 t. ground Black Pepper

3 T. Salt

1-1/2 t. MSG (optional but helps soften chile skins)

1 C. Ultra Set *

In an 8 qt stockpot mix together all ingredients except Ultra Set.
Add Ultra set by sprinkling 1/4 C. at a time over the salsa.

Using a whisk stir it into the salsa to avoid clumps.

Allow mixture to come to a simmer over medium heat.
Simmer for 10 minutes. Pour into clean pint jars leaving
1/2" headspace. Process for 30 minutes
Makes 10-11 Pints

*Ultra Set is a modified cornstarch that will thicken both

cold and hot foods without leaving a starchy aftertaste.

(It is available at various kitchen supply stores)

I have been called Julie or Jules; at times I am called "honey", MOM and most recently "nanny". I guess it doesn't matter which of these I am called but my favorites are MOM and "gwammy"and "honey".

Welcome to Cabo!

Our place by the beach.

Hacienda del Mar

pools, beaches and rock crashing waves

Gotta get up early if you want to get the big one...
One whale of a tale...and it's all true...

8 feet and 180 lbs. of Striped Marlin
and a very delicious tuna to boot.

Diving

I just started diving this year. I have watched underwater scenes in movies and TV with curiosity for years. Curiosity about the aquatic life, the sensations of breathing underwater as well as my family propelled me to get certified. It was scary, exciting, and cool to learn scuba.