My Mama's Hips - Who Cares, It's Christmas!

I used to LOVE to cook and bake, and try new recipes and experiment with different kinds of foods.  But that was back when I didn't have to think so much about my waistline!  Back when my older kids were small, we made all kinds of fun stuff.  I used to bake bread that we would take to the local farmer's market in the summer months.  That was back when we first started talking about "health foods," and so I made these beautiful loaves of bread that were crammed full of yummy stuff like nuts, whole grains, raisins, cranberries, wheat germ, and of course whole wheat flour and honey.  I couldn't tell you all of the different kinds of "Health Bread" I made back then!  But it sure was fun   ;o)  

Then, the kids grew up and, of course, given their choice they would always prefer plain old white bread.  OK, I give up!  And then, after four babies and a few years going by, I suddenly realized that I was going to need to pay more attention to ME and my own health.  So, even though I had never really had to think about my weight that much, and I had been kind of an exercise devotee for many years, somehow as time went by these sweet young girlish hips became My Mama's Hips.  And I stopped cooking and baking the way I used to.  That was OK most of the time because, I told myself, why should I spend so much time cooking and baking when the results of all that creativity are either completely ignored (or rejected), or else whatever I have spent hours creating is devoured in 30 seconds. 

I know that is a very cynical attitude about cooking.  But you can see why I just couldn't be bothered to invest any unnecessary time and energy in cooking and baking . . . . especially if I couldn't eat most of it anyway!  I still am trying to be very health-conscious with my cooking, for my own health as well as for my family, but at Christmas I guess it is OK to splurge a little bit.  So when I found this recipe for Candy Cane Fudge I decided to give it a try.  Partly because it is so pretty, but also because I love the combination of chocolate and mint.  

Chocolate is not one of my favorite things (as I know it is for some people), but once in a while it is super yummy!  Yesterday afternoon we made up our Candy Cane Fudge and put it on this cute little Santa Claus dish.  The girls want to take some fudge to their teachers on Friday, so I guess we'll be making another batch or two.  Go ahead and splurge a little and take a taste of this scrumptious fudge yourself . . . . and perhaps make up a batch to take to the neighbors.  Another simple and frugal gift from your kitchen!

Candy Cane Fudge

2/3 cup evaporated milk

1 2/3 cups granulated sugar

2 tablespoons butter

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 cups miniature marshmallows

1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips

2 teaspoons mint extract

1/4 teaspoon red food coloring  

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the sugar, salt, evaporated milk, and butter, and stil until the sugar melts.  Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil stirring constantly, for five minutes. 

 

 

 

 

After five minutes, remove from the heat and stir in the marshmallows, white chocolate chips, and mint extract.  Pour the mixture into an 8 X 8 pan that has been lined with aluminum foil or sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. 

*  Optional:  Sprinkle drops of red food coloring over the top, and stir once or twice, creating red swirls.  Do not over-stir, otherwisethe candy will turn pink.  Place in the refrigerator to set the fudge for at leastone hour.

*  Instead of the red food coloring, I sprinkled the top of the fudge with red andwhite sugar crystals.  You couldalso use crushed candy and  sprinkle over top of the fudge.

I remember my mama telling me that "Necessity is the motherhood of invention," and of course when I was 8 years old I had no clue what she was talking about.  But as the years have gone by, I definitely have had to figure it out on several occasions!  When we were making the fudge yesterday, I knew that I had some red food coloring in my kitchen, because  I bought a little box of the four different colors when we made the lollipops last week.    But . . . I know my Miss Curiosity and her propensity to "figure it out" by experimentation, and after she got red food coloring all over her hands last week, I put that little box of food coloring away . . . . someplace.  I hid it from the girls so I wouldn't walk in the kitchen and discover them (along with the walls, counter-tops, and floor)  covered in a rainbow of colors.  And then I couldn't remember where I hid it!  Still don't remember   . . . .  so that is when I decided to use the red  and white sugar crystals, and I actually think it is much prettier than with the red swirls through it.  So, there you have it!  And trust me - it really is yummy!  Have a blessed Wednesday, and I'll be back later with another fun and frugal, quick and easy, last-minute gift idea for some of the little ones in your family.  Chat soon, Nina

 

Comments

[Annette]

Oh this looks and sounds sooo good! I have to be careful too, but this is the time of year I also splurge. I make things now that I don't make any other time of the year!