Fatty Friday Issue #21: Christmastime is Here

Hello readers! It's the holiday season and that means Christmas for my family. Though the holiday was all about gifts when we were kids, it has taken on a different tone now that we are older (though the gifts are still exciting). I think it all started one year when my father insisted that we celebrate by following the tradition of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve. It was fun and has turned into a tradition over the years, along with delicious treats on Christmas morning.

But my family isn't the only one that makes food part of the celebration. So I polled a few friends and asked them to send their fave holiday recipes. The responses that came in are simple, easy, and super-tasty! Here are a few of the recipes:

CINNAMON ROLLS - from Stina Peterson

You'll need:

Two loaves frozen bread dough (sold in the freezer aisle, usually come in bags of three loaves)

1 stick butter, softened (NOT melted)

1 small carton heavy whipping cream (the smallest size available)

Approx. 1/2 c brown sugar

Cinnamon

Here's what you'll do:

Grease a 9x13 baking pan and let frozen dough sit out overnight. In the morning, use fists to press down on the dough to conform to shape of pan. Spread stick of butter over all. Sprinkle brown sugar and cinnamon over all. Knead dough with fists to really get the brown sugar/cinnamon into the dough. Pour heavy whipping cream over all. Bake at 375 degrees for around 20-25 minutes. Cut into the dough to make sure it's baked all the way through. Cut into squares. Best when served warm:-)

Helpful hint:

Check on the cinnamon rolls about halfway through to make sure the whipping cream doesn't overflow into your oven. You may want to use the deepest baking pan you've got, go easy on the heavy whipping cream, or place a second pan to below the baking pan to catch the runoff.

Yummy 20-minute Party Dip - from Tracy Farrell

Forgot to make something interesting for your party? Didn't know guests were coming over and want to whip up
something quick and amazing? If you answered yes to either of these questions, then this is the dip for you:

Knorr Spinach Dip: (Prep time 10 minutes)
Ingredients:
1 Knorr spinach dip package
1 8oz container of Sour Cream
1 cup full fat mayonnaise
1 sm. package frozen spinach- thawed and water
squeezed out
1 8oz package of water chestnuts (diced)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and chill for as long as possible (best if chilled for 1 hr.)

Finally, Orange Pinwheel Cookies, from Sarah Mroue (congrats on the nod from the NY Times!):

ingredients

1 cup cranberries

• 1 cup pecans
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 1-1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons finely shredded orange peel
• 3 cups all-purpose flour

directions

1. For filling, in a blender container or food processor bowl combine cranberries, pecans, and brown sugar. Cover and blend or process until cranberries and nuts are finely chopped; set filling aside.

2. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in eggs and orange peel until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Divide dough in half. Cover and chill dough about 1 hour or until easy to handle.

3. Roll half of the dough between pieces of waxed paper into a 10-inch square. Spread half of the filling over dough square to within 1/2 inch of edges; roll up dough . Moisten edges; pinch to seal. Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap. Repeat with remaining dough and filling. Chill for 4 to 24 hours.

4. Cut rolls into 1/4-inch slices . Place slices 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in a 375° degree F oven for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are firm and bottoms are lightly browned. Cool on cookie sheet for 1 minute. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Makes about 60 cookies

Thanks to everyone who submitted recipes. I'm looking forward to trying these out very soon!