VAM Christmas Cookies

Every Christmas, my grandpa would make DOZENS of these cookies. He was very secretive of this recipe... So I'm putting it online to share with my family. After digging through recipes, one of my aunts found a copy in his handwriting (photo to come). These are a type of Fruitcake Cookies. Anything in italics was not on the card, but based off of observations of the care he took to make the cookies.

• 3 ½ Cups Flour
• 1 Cup Shortening
• 2 Cups Brown Sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 1 Teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 Teaspoon Salt
• 1 Cup Buttermilk
• 1 ½ Cups Diced Pecans
• 1 Cup Candy Cherries (½ Green & ½ Red)
•  1 Cup Candy Pineapple
• 2 Cups Candied Dates

1. Mix everything together. 
2. Spoon dough into balls. Place whole pecan on center and press down. Place on greased cookie sheet. 
3.  Bake at 375°F for 12 minutes.

Confetti Taco Chili

I seriously can't believe I didn't post this recipe until now. My friend John always made this for dinner group back before my mission. It has become one of my standard meals during winter because it is sooo easy to make. I have both the small sized that I would make for myself and the larger portion for dinner group listed.

Serves 4 (16)

• 1 (3) Lbs Ground Beef
• ½ (2) Cup Chopped Onion
• 2 Tbl (2 Pkg) Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
• 1 (4) 15.5 Oz Can Diced Tomatoes With Chilies
•  1 (4) 8 Oz Tomato Sauce
• 1 Cup (1 Bag) Frozen Corn
•  1 (4) Can Black Beans with Cumin And Chili Spices Undrained
• 1 Bag Frito Chips
• Cheddar Cheese

1.)   Cook beef and onion over med. High heat until beef is browned. Drain.

2.)   Stir in taco seasoning mix, tomatoes, tomato sauce and corn. Bring to boil. Reduce to Medium. Cook 10-15 min or until beef is thoroughly cooked and corn is tender.

3.)   Stir in beans; return to a boil. Reduce to medium. Cook 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated and flavors are blended.

Egg Nog for Two- Alcohol Free

Every Christmas my grandparents would make homemade eggnog. Personally I'm not the biggest fan of eggnog, but its an old family recipe. Occasionally my grandpa would spike it when others weren't paying attention...

2 Eggs, separated

1. Beat whites stiff
2. Beat yolks in 2 cups milk with 2 tbls powdered sugar
3. Add whites and beat
4. Add nutmeg and vanilla to taste

Tortellini Soup

Getting chilly in your neck of the woods? Enjoy this recipe for Tortellini Soup from my brother Craig: This is a great soup for a cold winter night, especially when you don't have a lot of time to make a "homemade" meal that takes forever. It's also a great way to get some vegetables in your diet, but in a yummy way! Serve with a little buttery toasted bread and you've got yourself a tasty supper. The best part is that it's even better the next day!  

• 3T olive Oil
• 1 Clove garlic, minced
• 3 stalks, celery, chopped
• 3 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 1 onion diced 10 oz box frozen spinach, unthawed (or skip it like my brother does...)
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 2 cans water 
• 32 oz chicken broth
• Family size package of cheese or chicken tortellini, half cooked

1) Put olive oil in the bottom of a large soup/stock pan
2) Saute' garlic, celery, carrots and onions until tender
3) Add frozen spinach. Break up blocks of spinach as you cook
4) Continue to saute' until spinach thaws, then heats up
5) Add cream of chicken soup and water
6) Add chicken broth and then add tortellini
7) Heat and Serve
 
Note: It's better to eat it a few hours after it's made so the broth soaks up into the noodles. Better yet, make it the night before.

Funeral Potatoes

Let's be honest, these are the yummiest comfort food EVER.

• 2 Lbs Frozen Hash Browns
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Tsp Pepper
• 1/2 Cup Chopped Onion
• 1 Can Cream of Chicken Soup or 2 C Sour Cream (I prefer cream of chicken soup)
• 2 Cups Cheese
• 1/2 C melted butter

Topping options- Choose one:

• 2 cups corn flakes crushed mixed with 1/4 C melted butter
• More shredded cheese. 

1. Combine all ingredients and mix well and pour into buttered casserole dish 9x13. 
2. Bake 45 min at 350 degrees