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Taste

  • Dash of Class: Sampling of delicious seasonal recipes

    First of all, a delayed Christmas greeting to you and yours. There was a misunderstanding concerning the publication of my column last week.

    Today is New Year’s Day and I hope 2013 is a very happy year for you indeed. Because Christmas was on the last Tuesday of the month, we didn’t have December’s Recipe Roundup, so this week we will have those recipes and not have a January Finest Cook. We will return to that feature in February.

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  • Kitchen Adventures: Baked Brie delivers two favorites in one

    If you’re like me, there are two things you have a hard time giving up for a diet — bread and cheese.

    There aren’t many cheeses I’ve been able to say no to. In fact, some vegetables I only can eat topped with cheese. That might take away the nutritional value, but at least I’m eating my veggies, right?

    I’m just as bad about bread. Sometimes I choose a restaurant based on how good their bread basket is.

    This probably is why I like Italian food so much. So many things are served with bread and smothered in cheese.

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  • Kitchen Adventures: Warm up Christmas with hot chocolate

    It’s Christmas morning. Presents are unwrapped and the family is hanging out in their pajamas surveying gifts. A homemade cup of hot chocolate is just the thing to cap off the morning, especially if it’s a snowy or cold Christmas.

    In fact, the perfect cup of hot chocolate is something to enjoy throughout the winter.

    Peppermint hot chocolate is a great seasonal treat, but if you buy enough candy canes during the post-Christmas sales, you can enjoy the flavor long after the holiday is over.

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  • Kitchen Adventures: Cookies for Santa, others on your gift list

    Whether for Santa, as gifts for friends or just to eat yourself, ’tis the season for making cookies.

    Each year I do a massive amount of Christmas baking for friends and coworkers, and a few for Santa, too.

    This year, I used a recipe I’ve had since I graduated high school 20 years ago. The other is a new recipe from a new cookbook that might become a favorite.

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  • Dash of Class: Side dish shake-up

    We are one week away from Christmas and most of you who are entertaining at home have your menu planned.
    Most years, it includes the same types of entrees, but the sides are the one thing that might differ. I have to admit the Sweat household has favorites and most of the time the menu does not change. Today, I have for you some of our family’s favorite side dishes for holiday meals.

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  • Dash of Class: Christian Women Club provides variety of recipes

    I attended the November Christian Women Connection Luncheon and Bazaar and was delighted to find out that instead of the usual catered lunch, members of the group combined their efforts for a delicious meal.

    When asked, two members were eager to share with you some of their favorite recipes that were served that day. All would be good for a holiday meal. Add bread and beverage and you are all set to make a hit with family and friends.

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  • Kitchen Adventures: Peppermint and chocolate goodness

    At Christmastime, there are so many great baking ideas to celebrate the season. Sometimes it’s hard to decide which ones you want to try.

    I ran across a recipe for candy cane cake that caught my attention. After deciding to make it, I looked at the recipe more closely to discover it was made with an angel food cake. For some reason this did not sound like a tasty combination with the peppermint so I went an entirely different direction.

    Instead of the angel food version, I made a mocha peppermint cake and made up the recipe on the spot.

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  • Easy, inexpensive candy house project

    Gingerbread houses are a staple in Christmas baking and decorating.

    The house does not always have to be made out of gingerbread though. They also can be built with graham crackers, a trick I learned in a home economics food class, back in the day.

    First thing you need in making the house is construction materials. Graham crackers should be first on your list and next is a variety of candies to decorate the house. The candy part can be whatever you like. Finding colorful candies in different shapes makes a pretty house. Christmas colors can work, too.

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  • Peggy Hash is 'One of Hardin County's Finest Cooks'

    This month’s “One of Hardin County’s Finest Cooks,” Peggy Hash, is a well-known lady in different circles of friends. Her husband, Gordon Hash, nominated her.

    He told me if I ever needed someone for those good cooks I write about in the paper, his wife was an excellent cook. After talking with her, I realized she, indeed, is an excellent cook and a good planner and manager not only for typical family meals, but meals for many people, all with ease on her part. She truly is amazing.

    Her sister, Shelia Stith Boros, added her endorsement.

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  • Kitchen Adventures: Sweet potato messiness

    In the spirit of last week’s Thanksgiving feast, I continued the feasting with sweet potatoes. Restaurants now are offering sweet potato side dish options all year long, so it’s OK to continue the recipe options for this vegetable beyond Thanksgiving.

    Paula Deen’s Facebook page promoted a Sweet Potato Balls recipe so I decided to give it a try.

    Warning No. 1, this recipe is very messy. Forming mashed sweet potatoes around marshmallows gets sweet potato goop everywhere.

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