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